Some hotels are beautiful.
Some are memorable.
And then there are places like Faena—where the line between hospitality and world-building disappears entirely.
Long before we ever checked in, this hotel lived in my imagination. Years ago, while working in the hospitality industry, I remember discovering that Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin were behind the interiors—and being completely captivated. The same creative force responsible for The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge designing a hotel? It felt almost too cinematic to be real.
And then you arrive.
And realize, it is.
Faena Miami Beach — Hotel Snapshot
Location: Mid-Beach, Miami Beach—on Collins Avenue, with direct access to the boardwalk and oceanfront
Style: Five-star luxury boutique hotel in Miami Beach with opulent Art Deco design by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
Rooms: 179 rooms and suites, many with ocean views and private balconies
Best For: Luxury travelers, design enthusiasts, and couples seeking a highly immersive, design-forward stay in Miami Beach
Standout Feature: A fully realized, cinematic design concept—from the gilded “Cathedral” lobby to the iconic Damien Hirst gold mammoth installation
Good to Know: The hotel anchors the larger Faena District (including dining, arts, and retail); complimentary access to the Tierra Santa wet spa is included with reservation
Faena Miami Beach — Checking In
Originally built in 1948 as the Saxony Hotel, Faena has been completely reimagined into something far more ambitious: a fully immersive environment where architecture, art, and hospitality converge.
The concept was envisioned by Argentine hotelier and developer Alan Faena, alongside his financial partner Len Blavatnik. Completed in 2015, this is their second “Faena District” build, following the success of Faena Buenos Aires (completed in 2004). Faena New York just opened in 2025. And yes — it’s on my radar.
The arrival experience alone sets the tone.
You don’t enter a lobby—you enter The Cathedral.
A long, echoing corridor unfolds beneath a ceiling of gilded detail, flanked by monumental columns and surrealist murals by Alberto Garutti. These are not decorative gestures—they are narrative ones. The murals trace Alan Faena’s own journey, a symbolic rendering of vision, ambition, and the creation of this place itself. It’s theatrical, yes—but also deeply personal.
A red carpet draws you forward, not subtly. And yet, it never feels excessive. Instead, it signals what Faena does so well: it commits fully to its point of view.
There’s a moment, standing there, where the outside world drops away entirely.
And you understand—you haven’t checked into a hotel. You’ve stepped into someone’s vision.
And that’s precisely the point.
Alan Faena didn’t design a hotel. He designed a world.
The Rooms
We were upgraded to an Ocean View Suite on the eighth floor—Room 806—and it felt less like a hotel room and more like a private residence suspended above the Atlantic.
The space unfolds like a well-appointed apartment:
- Expansive living area anchored by a plush crimson sofa
- Leopard-print stools and coral-based lamps that nod to the ocean just beyond
- A curved bar and entertainment wall that feels both sculptural and functional
Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors open to a wraparound balcony overlooking the pool, the striped red-and-white umbrellas below, and the endless horizon beyond.
The palette is unmistakably Faena:
- Signature red
- Vibrant aqua blues
- Gold accents
- Playful, layered patterns
It’s maximalist—but controlled.
Beds are deeply comfortable, with custom-designed mattresses and plush down bedding that invite a slower start to the morning.
Bathrooms lean into classic luxury:
- Carrara marble
- Ann Sacks tilework
- Rainfall showers and soaking tubs
- Double vanities with ample space
And then, the details that elevate:
- Faena butler service assigned to each floor
- Signature “Futopia” scent woven subtly throughout the experience
- Bath salts available upon request for a fully immersive unwind
Where to Eat (and Experience)
Dining at Faena isn’t an amenity—it’s part of the narrative.
Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
delivers an open-fire Argentine dining experience in a richly layered setting. It carries its own sense of drama, with dishes that feel both elemental and refined. The empanadas, tuna crudo, and beef tartare are standouts, as is the Royal Rose cocktail.
Pao by Paul Qui offers a completely different lens—modern Asian cuisine with ocean views and something very unique: A gilded, anatomically detailed unicorn statue, which serves as the dining room’s centerpiece. Titled “Golden Myth”, the gold and bronze statue was created by British artist Damien Hirst.
Veranda
For something more relaxed— but visually stunning in a completely different way — Veranda provides a shaded, breezy setting ideal for breakfast or a late afternoon glass of wine. Here, signature red seating cushions pop against aqua blue tiles that mimic the look of water. Completing the under-the-sea impression are hand-painted shells, seahorses, crabs, and other sea life adorn the walls and bar front. A column at the entrance is completely encrusted with seashells.
And then there’s The Living Room.
By day, it shares space with Los Fuegos—elegant, composed, quietly refined. But as evening settles in, the energy shifts. Dinner gives way to music. Tables soften into lounge seating. The room exhales into something more fluid, more alive.
This is where Faena reveals another layer of itself.
Cocktails in hand—perhaps their tequila-forward espresso martini—the space hums with a buzzy, magnetic energy. Conversations linger as live music moves through the room.
And overhead, something unexpected happens.
The monumental chandeliers—designed by Alberto Garutti—don’t simply illuminate the room. Connected to real-time lightning data from the Argentine Pampas, they subtly flicker and pulse with distant storms occurring half a world away.
It’s subtle when it happens. Easy to miss, if you’re not paying attention.
But once you notice it, the effect is quietly extraordinary—a reminder that even here, within this carefully constructed world, there’s a connection to something larger, something far beyond the room itself.
Note: Reservations are essential, and dress codes are enforced—particularly at Los Fuegos.
Service & Experience
At this level, service is expected to be seamless—but Faena adds something more: enthusiasm.
There’s an unmistakable energy among the staff. Guests are welcomed not just professionally, but warmly. Everyone seems genuinely happy to be part of the experience they’re delivering.
The butler service adds another layer of ease, anticipating needs without ever feeling intrusive.
Even with a shift in weather during our stay (from sun-soaked warmth to cooler coastal breezes), the experience never felt diminished. If anything, it allowed us to explore more of the property—from the spa to the dining spaces—with intention.
Wellness, Pool & Beach
The Tierra Santa Healing House is an entire world unto itself.
Occupying the third floor, this South American–inspired spa is named after and draws inspiration from Alan Faena’s own home in Uruguay. It offers spa treatments that are “a luxurious blend of ancient South American shaman-inspired rituals and cutting-edge, tech-forward wellness.”
Guests have access to these co-ed spaces and amenities:
- Steam room and sauna
- Hot and cold plunge pools
- A dramatic waterfall feature
- Complimentary DIY spa treatments (scrubs, muds, oils)
Outside, the pool and beach experience is equally considered:
- Butler-serviced lounge chairs
- Signature red-and-white umbrellas
- Direct access to the Miami Beach boardwalk
What to Do (Beyond the Hotel)
While Faena could easily be a self-contained destination, its location in Mid-Beach offers a more balanced Miami experience.
You’re removed from the intensity of South Beach—but still connected.
The boardwalk just behind the hotel provides a scenic, walkable route along the ocean, while the broader Faena District(including the Forum and Bazaar) invites exploration beyond the hotel itself.
For an equally lavish but completely different dining experience, reserve a table with a view to the cirque du soleil-style entertainment at Jaya, inside The Setai hotel.
Insider Moments & Unexpected Highlights
There’s a temptation to describe Faena as maximalist—and visually, it is.
But what lingers isn’t just the richness. It’s the intention behind it.
It’s in the continuity of storytelling—from the Cathedral to the guest rooms to the art installations that punctuate the grounds.
Most notably, Damien Hirst’s Gone But Not Forgotten—a 24-karat gold woolly mammoth housed in glass along the path to the ocean. The piece, acquired by Faena’s partner Len Blavatnik at a charity auction in Cannes, is undeniably striking. But more than that, it feels emblematic of the entire property: bold, surreal, and entirely unapologetic.
And yet, nothing feels random.
Everything—every material, every color, every moment—feels considered within a larger composition.
This isn’t just a place you stay—it’s a place you move through.
Quick Tips
- Book ocean-facing rooms or suites for the full visual impact
- Reserve dining in advance, especially for Los Fuegos and Pao
- Schedule your wet spa access early
- Pack accordingly—this is a place that invites glamorous attire.
Final Thoughts: A World of Its Own
Faena Hotel Miami Beach is not subtle.
It was never meant to be.
What it offers instead is something far more rare: a fully realized vision—authored, executed, and sustained with remarkable clarity.
This is not simply a hotel stay. It’s an experience shaped by narrative, design, and a deep understanding of atmosphere.
And whether you arrive knowing its story or discover it as you move through the space, one thing becomes clear:
Places like this don’t happen by accident—they’re built with intent.
And if you’ve ever wondered what happens when hospitality meets cinematic storytelling—this is your answer.
If you’re drawn to design-forward hotels that feel fully realized, you may also appreciate:
- This Theatre District stay in New York at CIVILIAN Hotel
- A quieter, art-filled retreat at Maison Métier in New Orleans
- Or a residential-style boutique stay at The Palmetto Hotel in Charleston
