The Buzz: Picture Perfect

(WSVN) When it comes to chic and trendy hotels... The Delano, The National and Shore Club top the list.

But now, these famous South Beach hot spots have some competition.

Andrea Melotti says, "It started a little bit as an art gallery."

The minute you enter the Sagamore Hotel the art is what takes center stage. Forget the celebrity hype -- art is the star at this hotel. A reflection of the hotel owner's passion. 

Andrea Melotti, Sagamore Hotel Managing Director, says "They started putting some art here and there, while the hotel was being built."

"Then they decided it looked great, we kept adding art."

The hotel's collection includes more than 300 pieces of modern, contemporary and pop art... everything from sculptures to photographs... to paintings.
  
South Florida's Carlos Betancourt is among the featured artists. 

Carlos Betancourt says, "This exposes your work to another group of people that may not visit a museum."

He says, "It demonstrates that cutting edge art can be exhibited in a place other than a museum or a gallery."

In fact, you'll find artwork in the lobby, in the hallways,  in the courtyard, poolside and in all of the hotel's 93 suites. 

Andrea Melott says, "We started putting plaques next to it explaining a little bit about the artist, a little bit about the piece itself, making sure that everyone can have a walk around, and appreciate the art 100 percent."

To complete that museum feel, the hotel hosts a library full of books about everything you ever wanted to know about artwork but were afraid to ask. 

Andrea Melotti says, "What we try to do in this hotel is to make the art part of the experience, but along with other things that can go on in the hotel, the food, the service."

The hotel just opened up in February and already celebrities, like P. Diddy and Will Smith, have taken notice of it's unique style.

And with an art collection that's contstantly growing and individual pieces being rotated each visit to the Sagamore can always be a new experience.  

The great thing about this place is that you don't have to be a hotel guest to check out the art.
  
You can just pop in and see it for yourself.
  
The Sagamore Hotel is located on Collins Avenue and 16th Street.
  
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Sagamore Hotel
1671 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 535-8088
www.sagamorehotel.com

Carlos Betancourt
Recent Photographic Work
-Lowe Art Museum
University of Miami
Wednesday, August 7    
8 - 10pm
305-284-5587
www.lowemuseum.org