It’s not the holidays that have most of the world excited about South Florida this December. That’s right readers: Art Basel is on its way and we are bursting at the seams with eager anticipation. Without a doubt, our excitement level here at the Haute Living headquarters is decidedly more intense than anything we would squeal over in Santa’s red sack. From the parties to the fashion to the, oh yeah, the art, it’s time for the Magic City to open its arms and get ready to embrace the most eclectic trendsetters from across the globe.

This year more than 2,000 artists and their entourage of collectors will descend upon South Florida from December 3 through 6 showing their works from venues all over the beach, the Design District, Midtown, and Wynwood. We’re betting that Miami hoteliers are just as excited that Art Basel celebrations are on the way. The Santuary, Catalina, Riviera, Raleigh, Setai, and W South Beach will be some of the hautest hotels for international jetsetters on the beach. While the Vicoroy and Epic will be blowing up the riverfront from downtown Miami. The preferred hotels recommended by the Fair itself include The Shore Club, Delano, and Mondrian South Beach.

Our insiders tell us that the Mondrian, also known as Sleeping Beauty’s castle, will offer room rates from $395 a night with a three-night minimum stay on Thursday and Friday. Ride up Collins Avenue several blocks north and the “Art, pray, love” theme offered at Canyon Ranch is going for $600 each night, also with a three-night minimum. Take a tour with Eric Sheppard, owner of WSG, the developer behind the luxury North Beach resort, and marvel at the masterpiece of the zen-styled David Rockwell interiors, including the 70,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch Spa, Wellness, and Fitness Center, complete with common areas for play, sports, meditation, and relaxation. And our favorite riverfront hotels, Epic and Viceroy will also have Basel packages available.

Check HauteLiving.com all throughout the month of November for insider details on the most exclusive Art Basel events and keep an eye our for the December/January issue of Haute Living’s Art Basel edition, where articles like “How to Basel” will guide our elite audience through the weekend.