The lobby, known as ‘the Cathedral’
Photos courtesy of Faena Miami Beach
It’s common for luxury hotels to play it safe with design, leaning into neutral color palettes, restrained artwork and quietly elegant furnishings meant to soothe rather than surprise. That’s not the case at Faena Hotel Miami Beach.
The experience here is designed to awaken the senses, reveling in an unabashedly confident aesthetic laced with thought-provoking art, saturated color and layered texture. It’s evident from the moment you step inside, where towering gold columns and a series of floor-to-ceiling murals evoke an art museum more than a traditional hotel lobby. Titled “The Way To Futopia,” the installation by Juan Gatti offers a rich visual narrative, weaving timeless themes of love, power, passion and nature through a tropical, surreal lens.
‘The Way To Futopia’ lobby murals by Juan Gatti
That’s only the first of many encounters a guest will have with art at the 5-star oceanfront property in Miami Beach. Argentine fashion designer and hotelier Alan Faena and philanthropist Len Blavatnik opened the hotel in December 2015, and their vision was clear: to fuse the world of luxury hospitality with contemporary art, performance and design. Works by internationally recognized artists including Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Alberto Garutti are integrated throughout the property, rather than confined to gallery walls.
Set within the six-block Faena District, the experience extends well beyond the guest rooms, with art at nearly every turn.
One of the most arresting outdoor installations is Hirst’s “Gone but not Forgotten,” a gilded, 10-foot-tall skeleton of a woolly mammoth encased in a steel and glass box.
‘Gone but not Forgotten’ by Damien Hirst
Additional works appear throughout public spaces, restaurants and select suites, reinforcing Faena’s commitment to art as part of daily life.
The 179 accommodations range from Bay View Rooms to a five-bedroom Faena Penthouse Suite, with the hotel’s trademark scarlet red appearing throughout, from embroidered bedspreads to crimson roses in the bathrooms. Art Deco touches referencing the historic Saxony Hotel, which once occupied the site, are visible in the sculptural bed design, curved cabinetry, geometric wood detailing and brass accents.
During my stay, a Premier Oceanfront Room felt both indulgent and intimate, anchored by floor-to-ceiling windows that framed uninterrupted views of the Atlantic. A plush seating area, complete with a red velvet sofa, was ideal for morning espresso, while the expansive balcony delivered front-row sunset views — best enjoyed with a glass of wine in hand.
Premier Oceanfront Room
Pool and beach areas
Outside, a lushly landscaped pool-and-garden area leads straight to the beach. The scene is unmistakably Faena: Rows of red-and-white-striped umbrellas and matching lounge chairs line the sand, creating a bold visual counterpoint to the turquoise sea.
Faena’s spa, Tierra Santa Healing House, approaches wellness with the same sense of intention. Beyond treatments, a rotating calendar of yoga, meditation and sound-healing sessions underscores a holistic approach to restoration.
Tierra Santa Healing House
Food plays an equally immersive role, with signature restaurants led by acclaimed chefs. Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann centers on Argentina’s asado tradition, with an open-fire kitchen from the eponymous legendary grill master. At Pao by Paul Qui, “Top Chef” winner Qui draws from Filipino, Spanish, Japanese and French cuisine. My meal included dishes like The Unicorn, an impossibly light corn pudding with uni presented inside a spiky sea urchin; Fried Chicken with sweet chili sauce, roasted banana ketchup, jalapeño and Thai herbs; and Wagyu Short Rib braised for 72 hours. Watching over it all was a commanding life-size unicorn statue by Hirst titled “Golden Myth.”
Pao by Paul Qui
The Unicorn
Wagyu Short Rib
Those seeking a quieter, more intimate meal can slip into El Secreto Omakase, Qui’s speakeasy-style sushi counter. For casual, poolside dining, Tree of Life offers everything from Shrimp Tacos to Caviar Toast. Morning begins at Veranda, where breakfast staples include the South Beach Scramble (with jumbo lump crab, avocado and chimichurri) and Key Lime French Toast.
Nightlife is central to the Faena experience, most notably at the Faena Theater, a 150-seat space that’s rich in velvet and gold accents and is inspired by Europe’s grand opera houses. The current production, “Obsession,” is a bold, cabaret-style show that blends acrobatics, live music and sensual choreography. It runs Thursday through Saturday.
For late-night entertainment, guests can retreat to The Living Room, a lounge that channels Jazz Age glamour. A study in maximalism, the space features one of two massive chandeliers by Garutti (the other is in Los Fuegos) that flicker in real-time response to lightning strikes in Argentina’s Pampas — a dual installation aptly titled “Storms.”
The Living Room
‘Obession’ at Faena Theater
To the untrained eye, Faena may appear decadent, but that exuberance is intentional — and wonderful. The result is an experience that reframes what a great hotel can be, reminding guests how enriching a life shaped by art, theater and design truly is.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach is located at 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. For more information, call 305-534-8800 or visit faena.com.