Miami is known for its extravagant hotels and resorts that offer a vacation to remember, and if you’re looking for a true “wow” factor in a hotel stay, you’ll find it at the oceanfront Faena Miami Beach. The moment you enter the hotel and saunter down the dramatic red carpet, you’re surrounded by gold pillars and jaw-dropping murals a spectacular preview of what’s to come during your stay. The hotel has movie set magic, and for good reason: Faena is the brainchild of Argentine developer and hotelier Alan Faena, who teamed up with filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his set designer/costumer wife Catherine Martin (who were responsible for all the glitz and glamour of “The Great Gatsby” and “Moulin Rouge!”) to bring Faena alive!
Located in the heart of Miami Beach’s mid-beach neighborhood, the hotel has quite the storied history; it was originally known as The Saxony Hotel, a see-and-be-seen spot in the late ‘40s. Now, it’s been reimagined with Art Deco style and bold Hollywood glamour, but with all the modern conveniences. There’s something visually stimulating at every turn, and the most eye-catching, talked-about-piece is “Gone But Not Forgotten” by Damien Hirst, an enormous 24-karat-gold mammoth that rests in a house of glass in front of the beach. During the day the clear glass offers a spectacular view of the turquoise ocean in the background, beckoning you for a swim.
With 169-guest rooms decked out in deep shades of red and blue that effortlessly harmonize with Miami’s sparkling turquoise water these are the rooms of your dreams. Many of the guest rooms feature opulent rugs designed by Catherine Martin, hand-woven Argentinian throws, leopard couches, and spacious sitting areas, and for extra decadence, each floor has its own butler. Basically, you’re treated like a star, and who doesn’t want that feeling on vacation. Suites are outfitted with bright turquoise velvet drapes that look as if they were plucked from a proscenium stage and are now framing a sitting room with a luscious red velvet sofa, overstuffed coral armchairs, and a plush Deco area. Animal prints brushed gold fixtures and diamond-patterned wood grain furnishings are used as accents.
Of course, if you’re willing to splurge, the most coveted stay in the stunning Penthouse Suite, a 14,000-square-foot oceanfront two-level duplex featuring five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and wrap-around balconies offering panoramic views of the the the sea and Miami skyline. Bathrooms feature showers with rainfall showerheads and complimentary toiletries. The bathroom, with its turquoise houndstooth tile floor, enormous white plaster soaking tub, red pouf, and vanity lamp with a vertical arrangement of exposed bulbs, makes you feel like Satine backstage at the Moulin Rouge. Each room has a balcony and oceanfront rooms offer superior views.
Dining
The hotel lays claim to two restaurants with prominent chefs: Pao by Paul Qui, a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, and Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann, an Argentine super-star chef. At Los Fuegos, you’ll get a taste of the live-fire barbeque that Mallmann is known for. Sundays are one of the best times to visit for the buffet-style “asado” (a major social event in Argentina, where friends and family gather around traditional dishes and spend an afternoon catching up), where you’ll feast on a variety of South American-inspired dishes like tender slow-cooked ribeye, wood-oven provoleta and a tempting tower of desserts.
At Pao, you’ll savor modern Asian cuisine that fuses Filipino, Spanish, Japanese, and French influences, and be greeted by another Damien Hirst creation, a gold unicorn called “Golden Myth” that serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant and even inspires some of the dishes and drinks. You can sip a fancy drink out of a three-pound brass unicorn, and if you’re adventurous, try the unforgettable “Uni-corn,” a creamy dish that includes two small pieces of uni swathed in a frothy, sweet corn pudding that is beautifully presented in a sea urchin shell.
For small bites like prawns and local snapper ceviche and imaginative cocktails, retreat to the outdoor courtyard, Tree of Life, which is anchored by a massive tree, and is a tropical retreat with vibrant plants, hand-painted mosaic seating, and columns made of seashells. Also outdoors, the terrace of Veranda is an inviting spot for morning coffee and delicious breakfast items like house-made blueberry beignets and oak-smoked salmon; and there’s nothing better than waking up to tranquil views of the glimmering beach or pool.
Breakfast delivers with tantalizing offers like crab and scrambled eggs or huevos rancheros, along with a healthy selection of fresh-pressed juices. There’s also the Saxony Bar and Living Room lounge for excellent cocktails and Faena’s own wine label.
Faena truly comes alive at night; start your evening at the energetic Living Room, which is draped in dark red and gold, and gives off the glam vibes of an old Hollywood movie, but with a new scene-set; or settle into a seat at the tucked-away Saxony Bar, which has its own theatrical feeling and creative cocktails. For a night of fantasy, reserve a table at Faena Theater, where resident shows range from a seductive cabaret to a jazz series. Often, the crowd is encouraged to be part of the show and let’s face it, you’re truly the star of any stay at Faena!
Hospitality is genuinely friendly, skilled, and well trained to consistently deliver stellar service. The hotel features the dreamy Tierra Santa Healing House spa, the Saxony Theatre (which stages cabaret-style musical revues and concerts), a pool, and beach service. There’s also a gym with daily yoga and boot camp classes offered on the beach. Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. If you’re looking for recreational opportunities, you’ll find a nightclub, an outdoor pool, and a spa tub. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge).
The Amenities
* Private beach club with umbrellas, lounge chairs, and full food-and-beverage service
* Outdoor pool with umbrellas, lounge chairs, and full food-and-beverage service
* Multiple restaurants, bars, and lounges
* 22,000-square-foot spa with shaman-inspired healing and face and body treatments
* Oceanfront fitness center with Technogym equipment and wellness classes
* Daily yoga and meditation classes in the private yoga studio
* Hair Salon – Rossano Ferretti Salon
* Theater with live entertainment and cabaret performances
* Faena Play — children’s programming and babysitting services
Restaurants
Pao by Paul Qui
Damien Hirst’s giant sculpture of a gilded woolly mammoth resides famously behind the lavish Faena Hotel. Such scale and grandeur are also the norm in this restaurant, overlooking the iconic attraction. Pao’s oval room is capped with a gold-dome ceiling that’s centered around yet another statue by Hirst a golden unicorn perched on a platform looming large over the stylish guests. To be clear, this spot is more than just good looks and its short menu knits together a range of influences. Many of them are Asian, as in dishes like scallop aguachile with pineapple and black lime or a bao with smoked Wagyu short rib with XO aïoli. Roasted black bass with chili patis and ginger-garlic rice swings from sweet to savory to spicy, and comforts at every turn.
Drawing from a range of international styles including Filipino, Spanish, Japanese & French, Pao boldly presents a new brand of modern Asian cuisine with stunning ocean views. Pao boldly reflects celebrated chef Paul Qui’s renowned brand of modern Asian cuisine drawing from his background and range of international styles, including Filipino, Spanish, Japanese, and French. Signature items include crudo specialties, original rice dishes, and fresh fish and meats seared table-side over Japanese binchotan charcoal.
Los Fuegos By Francis Mallmann
Born from a passion for the ancient art of South American live-fire cuisine, the Argentine steakhouse Francis Mallmann creates a contemporary “rosado” experience with open-fire cuisine, local ingredients, and a touch of gaucho to transform traditional rustic recipes into sophisticated and tasty dishes. Located in the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach, Los Fuegos is an exclusive Argentine steakhouse with beautiful and lush decorations where you can even eat outdoors near the pool. Enjoy a variety of dishes that will make your palate dance, including some vegetarian options that will satisfy even the least carnivorous in the crowd. The food is rustic, authentic, and tasty.
