The Faena Hotel Miami Beach’s Unparalleled Luxury

There is nothing worse than spending a significant amount of money on a luxury vacation and arriving only to realize that the locale does not live up to the lofty expectations set by the price point. You’ve already invested the funds, time, and effort on getting you and your party to the location, and it’s deflating to realize it isn’t all you were hoping for.

At the Faena Hotel Miami Beach, this does not happen. Instead, Faena will blow you away with its imagery, ambiance, and tone, delivering an experience even greater than the sum of its parts.

While the website and social media accounts convey a bright, lively property with thoughtful touches throughout, it’s impossible to get the full Faena experience unless you visit in person. Only then can you truly appreciate the web of interwoven details that bolster intimacy, curiosity, and celebration throughout the oceanfront hotel.

Part of Argentine hotelier, real estate developer, and art enthusiast Alan Faena’s highly curated collection of properties, the 179-room hotel feels both contemporary and deeply tied to a sense of place. It’s a specific, hard-to-achieve ambiance courtesy of Hollywood legends and theatrical design experts Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. With their help, Faena brought the 1940s property, formerly the Saxony Hotel, into the modern era.

To some, the bold design choices (red velvet, leopard print, turquoise accents, a gilded wooly mammoth, just to name a few) can be overwhelming. It’s far from the muted tones and characterless features commonplace in other luxury properties. However, as general manager Said Haykal puts it, it is important to find “a unique sense of escape and relaxation, surrounded by allure and comfort.”

“From the moment you step into Faena, you are immersed in a vibrant, artistic environment that blends our South American warmth with Miami’s dynamic energy.”

The Rooms

The custom Art Deco-style wooden bed frames beckon. After lounging in the Florida sun, you’d be hard-pressed not to instantly fall asleep under the goose-down bedding.

Food and Drink

Faena’s culinary offerings, says Haykal, are “meticulously crafted, ensuring every meal feels like a special occasion.” There’s something for everyone on the property—and your best bet is to align what you’re looking for in menu, mood, and desired experience with the hotel’s dining options.

The Living Room is an intimate, exclusive space for those who want to lounge on leopard-clad couches and listen to live entertainment, espresso martini in hand.

Then you have the James Beard award-winning chef Paul Qui’s Pao, where the modern Asian menu has no faults. There’s also Los Fuegos by Argentine grillmaster Francis Mallmann.

El Secreto Omakase is a speakeasy-style Omakase experience with six diners per seating for unparalleled exclusivity.

Activities and Experiences

Part of Faena’s appeal lies in that, even if you never leave the property, you’ll still feel like you’ve had a robust, decidedly Miami adventure. Guests hoping to spend time by the water have two options: beach or pool.

The Faena Theater is said to be inspired by “grand opera houses and the glittering allure of Old Hollywood.” Haykal elaborates, “Not every hotel can boast its opulent theater, but at Faena, our iconic Faena Theater makes us unique.”

The Spa

“We want our guests to leave feeling rejuvenated and inspired, with a lasting connection to the unique spirit of Faena,” says Haykal. Home to one of the largest hammams on the East Coast, the third-floor oasis spa was designed, in Alan Faena’s words, to “awaken consciousness and restore wellbeing.” Its treatment menu and design mirror the hotel’s larger narrative, encouraging guests to lean into the idea of transformation in whatever way they choose.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Sustainability is also a top priority for the hotel team. “Miami Beach is our home, and the ocean is our backyard. Protecting and caring for our beaches is crucial,” says Haykal. With that in mind, Faena removed single-use plastics from the pool and beach areas using biodegradable alternatives.