If you’ve read my review of the Miami Beach EDITION, you’ll want to know that the Faena Miami Beach is a completely different experience. I’ve stayed there twice and I’ve fallen in love with it each time.

To me, the Faena Miami Beach represents the glitz and glamor that Miami is known for – think Great Gatsby; it’s eclectic, having been designed by Moulin Rouge director, Baz Luhrmann, his costume designer wife, and famed hotelier Alan Faena. The hotel is a piece of art, and it’s worth stepping into and walking around even if you don’t intend to stay.

The Faena Miami Beach is located in trendy South Beach on the same beachfront strip that many of the most popular properties sit. If we’re looking at South Beach as a long strip, with Soho House Miami at the beginning of Collins Avenue, and the Marriott South Beach at the end of the road, the Faena Miami Beach is right in the middle. The location is superior in terms of being able to walk a few blocks to the Matador Room at the Miami Beach EDITION for dinner, or The Setai for a beachfront lunch.

First Impressions

As I pulled up to the Faena I was greeted by a duo of classy uniformed bellhops. They took my luggage and escorted me across a room of bold red fabric, gold plated pillars, and large pieces of art that portrayed mythological and astrological themes. When we arrived at the check in desk I had a moment to reflect on how different this lobby was from that of the EDITION; no marble, families, or businessmen here.

The lobby is not much wider than a hallway, and it branches off into three sections of the hotel. The check-in area and room elevators are to the left, the cabaret theater to the right, and the restaurants and bar toward the back. Because the lobby is smaller and intimate there aren’t a lot of people lingering. This makes for a pleasant, quiet atmosphere that harmonizes well with the lovely scent of Palo Santo that fills the air.

Rooms

There are 179 rooms total at the Faena Miami Beach, ranging from Bay View entry level rooms all the way up to the Oceanfront Five Bedroom Penthouse Suite.

During my first stay at the Faena, I was upgraded to a Bayview Queen Junior Suite. The suite was located on the back side corner of the building, so I actually had bay views, city views, and a slight sea view. The suite was incredible – the decor mimicked the grandeur of the lobby with reds, golds, teals accenting the walls and furniture.

In the bathroom, the large soaking bathtub was the centerpiece. I fell in love with the teal herringbone tiles lining the floors. My favorite part of the room, however, wasn’t the view or the comfortable bed, it was the Japanese toilet. Yes, I love a good Japanese toilet, especially when it automatically opens when you walk into the bathroom.

Shortly after arriving to my room, a knock on the door signaled the arrival of a special gift. I was presented with welcome treats of homemade petit fours, the flavors of which varied depending on the day. The room was well-stocked with all of the amenities you would expect at a luxury property. I particularly enjoyed the comfortable bathrobes and slippers, which offered more plushiness and padding than others I’ve tried.

The balcony was spacious and included a cute little bistro set, but the view was a bit awkward. Sitting on the balcony, the view directly in front of me was of Faena House (residence) rooms, and bathrobe-clad residents through the windows! There was a bay view to the left, and a slice of the ocean to the right which was lovely when not being distracted by people watching in the building across.

My second visit at the Faena, I stayed in a Partial Ocean View Room. While the space wasn’t nearly as large as the Junior Suite, it was still well laid out and cozy with a nice view of the turquoise blue waters. The only thing missing was the Japanese toilet and the large soaking tub.

Based on my experience, I would recommend Faena for guests who prefer to stay in suites. Their suite products are superior. They are spacious, well-located, and come with butler service. The rooms are great, but the rates for rooms are high for what you get. Compared to other five star properties in South Beach, I would be hesitant to suggest their rooms as the best value for money.

Amenities

One of the most unique aspects of the Faena hotel is that there is a cabaret theater on the property. You can enjoy a sexy show with scantily clad dancers performing acrobatic feats over a nice dinner.

While the hotel is family friendly, and kids are welcomed with open arms, the atmosphere of the hotel caters to adults. The hotel oozes a sultry, seductive, and mysterious atmosphere. There is no kids club, though kids will receive kid-friendly amenities in the rooms upon check-in. There aren’t bowling alleys and ice skating rinks like at the EDITION, but the staff will go above and beyond to set up anything the kids need (like a cinema night in the room).

The hotel also offers a full service spa, a large lap pool with chairs and cabanas, a serviced beach club, two restaurants, a brand new omakase experience, and three bars. An additional perk is the complimentary house car that will take guests around South Beach when available. With all that said, here’s plenty to do if you just wanted to stay at the property for your entire trip.

Spa

The Tierra Santa Healing House is the star of the Faena. The space is huge at 22,000 sq ft. with gorgeous sea facing windows. The Faena takes wellness seriously and the list of treatments is lengthy. What’s special about this spa is that it’s one of the largest in South Beach with a matching hammam as well. The space is bright, there are woods, marbles, and tiles that make you feel zen. The only downside is that you’ll need to schedule your appointment in advance as availability is always limited, especially during peak seasons.

Beach Club

The beach club at the Faena is one of the trendiest in South Beach. Walking along the beach walkway, you can’t help but notice you’re walking past the Faena Beach Club by the red and white striped umbrellas and bold red and white beach hut.

The beach club staff go above and beyond to make your experience as luxurious as possible. Additionally, the beach hut is stocked with iced cucumber water and complimentary sunscreen. The beach chairs are plush and the umbrella provides adequate coverage. The staff check in frequently in case you want to order any snacks or drinks.

During my previous visit to the beach club, they had live entertainment in the form of an acoustic guitar player and a singer performing folk covers on the beach. The beach is a little rocky where the beach club is, but that doesn’t stop anyone from going for a swim.

One thing to note, the Faena offers beach chairs and umbrellas as part of your room rate. For an additional charge, you can book a beach daybed, which is a wide lounger with a built-in cover. This is different than the cabanas which are at the pool. If you ask for a cabana, you’re going to get assigned one at the pool.

Restaurants

There are technically two restaurants at the Faena: Pao and Los Fuegos. The restaurant of Los Fuegos transforms into the Veranda during the day. Small bites are served at the Living Room Bar and Saxony Bar in the evening.

I have to take a moment to rave about Pao. Now, both restaurants are fantastic, but Pao has a special place in my heart because the menu offers a modern take on Filipino classics. As a Filipino-American, I know how difficult it can be to find Filipino restaurants, and to see it at such an elevated level in Miami makes my heart soar. Pao offers an asian-fusion menu, and incorporates a variety of regional dishes like Thai, Japanese, and of course Filipino. The flavors are bright and the balance of sweet, salty, savory, and umami is present in each of the dishes.

Los Fuegos is all about the meat. The restaurant has Argentinian roots and incorporates fire into a majority of the dishes. What you’ll find at this restaurant is whole fresh foods – cuts of steak, lamb, fish, and even vegetables that are given the fire treatment. You can’t miss the smell of grilled meat in the outdoor courtyard when it’s dinner time. I would highly recommend reserving a seat on their outdoor patio and enjoying the Miami weather.

Overall, the Faena has a special place in my heart. I love themed experiences, and staying at the Faena feels like being transferred back in time to the height of art deco while retaining creature comforts of the modern era. Despite opening in 2015, this hotel is not in need of renovation any time soon as the rooms are still in great condition. That being said, this hotel is not for everyone. The hotel is expensive, intentionally so, to attract top guests who will appreciate the hotel to its fullest. The suites are fantastic, much so that the standard rooms do not compare. The amenities, service, and location are all top notch – you can’t go wrong with the Faena!

Things to Keep in Mind

Who I would recommend?

• Prefers a more exclusive atmosphere
• Loves high concept design with eclectic colorful decor styles
• Typically stays in a mature hotel that caters more to adults
• Prefers to stay at the trendiest properties when in Miami
• Clients who typically stay in suites instead of rooms
• Guests who focuses on wellness, fitness, and spa treatments

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Faena Miami Beach in the comments below. Have you ever been there? Is this a hotel you would like to visit next time you’re in Miami?