Faena Hotel Miami Beach review: the city's most dazzling designer pad

Times

29-06-2025

Renowned Argentinian hotelier Alan Faena never knowingly underplays his design hand, so the interiors of this much-loved Miami Beach hotel exude outrageously theatrical The Great Gatsby glamour. Its public areas shimmer with acres of gold leaf, lipstick-red velvets and leopard-print fabrics that create a 24/7 party-time ambience. But this place is about substance as well as style, so there are 179 exquisite — and, thankfully, more subdued — bedrooms, exceptional restaurants with slick service, an impressive spa, world-class cabaret performances in its own belle époque theatre. It also features incredible art, including the £9 million Gone But Not Forgotten installation by Damien Hirst — a three-metre high mammoth skeleton sprayed gold, guarding the hotel's cool pool and its peachy stretch of icing sugar-white beach.
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Score 9/10While the bedrooms continue the signature pillar-box red colour theme, the in-your-face campness of downstairs is softened by art deco wood panelling and retro furniture, zingy turquoise velvet drapes and carpets, pretty coral-print cushions and leather armchairs. Indulgent touches include brushed gold fixtures, bespoke bed linen and goose-down pillows, and the bathrooms have turquoise houndstooth tiles and covetable Carrara marble, though you will need to trade up to a suite if you want a bath tub. Every bedroom has a balcony and the oceanfront ones have knockout views.
Score 9/10 Its flagship restaurant is Los Fuegos, the first North American outpost from the South American open-fire specialist Francis Mallmann. It's carnivore heaven, with irresistible wickedness such as wood-fired beef tenderloin with the creamiest of potatoes in a truffle beef jus, and unforgettably succulent racks of lamb with aubergine and mint yoghurt. Breakfast is also served in Los Fuegos, where there are plenty of oat, egg and avocado dishes as well as meaty options.
Seafood lovers will prefer the imaginative fusion of European and Japanese at Pau by Paul Qui, a James Beard Award-winning chef. Its signature dish, called Unicorn, features sea urchin and sweet corn pudding and is as delicious as it looks. Qui also oversees the six-seater El Secreto Omakase dining room for authentic Tokyo-style sushi. At lunchtime, you can get basics such as burgers, poke bowls and pizzas around the pool.
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Score 9/10The Tierra Santa Healing House spa is a welcoming South American-inspired sanctuary of vibrant colour, flooded with light thanks to its location on the third floor. Its candle-lit hammam is one of the largest on America's east coast and its shaman-inspired rituals are supremely relaxing, while results-driven facials are delivered by A-list therapists using the cult french skincare range Biologique Recherche. There's also a well-equipped gym, a hair salon and daily yoga and meditation classes on the beach.
The Faena Theater, which wouldn't look out of place in a film from Hollywood in the Fifties, stages cabaret, dance and live music performances. The pool also exudes retro glamour with red-and-white striped umbrellas and muslin-draped cabanas.
Score 8/10Faena's masterplan didn't stop at his extraordinary hotel: he has created his own art district in the surrounding blocks. Across the street is Faena Forum, which showcases groundbreaking art works and Faena Bazaar, which is home to upmarket arty designer stores.
Price room-only doubles from £537Restaurant mains from £35Family-friendly YAccessible Y
Susan d'Arcy was a guest of Faena Hotel Miami Beach (faenahotel.com)
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