If

If
you consider yourself a minimalist, well, the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach might not be for you.
The grounds are positively dripping in decadence, gold and glamour
from the hotel lobby up. In short: it’s fabulous.

Alan Faena, the Argentine developer and hotelier behind the
$1billion project, leaves guests wanting for nothing. For example,
I hadn’t even sat down to check in before I had one of their
complimentary mate cocktails in hand. And trust me, after a long
flight, this was exactly what I wanted. The hotel forms part of a
five-block spectacle featuring an arts and culture centre, two
hotels, two residential buildings and a retail complex, but that’s
not even the lot of it.

The Faena Hotel itself features its very own state-of-the-art
theatre, restaurants, bars and mesmerising murals, mosaics and
wallpaper by Buenos Aires-born artist, Juan
Gatti.

Rooms

The Faena’s glitz and glamour transports you to 1950s-era Miami
Beach while paying homage art deco. The rooms are comfortable and
spacious with bright hues of blue and red and large balconies
facing either the ocean or the bay.

What’s for breakfast?

The Veranda is open each morning until 11:30AM with plenty of
indoor and outdoor seating offering sunny poolside views. Fill up
on eggs Benedict or keep it light with granola and coffee. Also, be
sure to try their refreshing juices – a perfect way to start your
day.

How about lunch and dinner?

For lunch, sit outside at Los Fuegos and enjoy the rich smells
of Argentine cooking from its open-fire kitchen. Pao by Paul Qui
combines an Asian-fusion menu with a quirky interior aesthetic. The
low-lit deep brown and gold backdrop sets the mood for indulgence,
perfect for tasting all you can on the restaurant’s multicultural
tapas-style menu.

Is there a bar?

There are two, actually. Living Room, the hotel’s ‘lobby’ bar,
is ideal for intimate conversation while Saxony Bar draws in more
of a late-night crowd.

Amenities

Gym bunnies, head to the outdoor swimming pool or Faena’s fitness
centre with on-call personal trainers. Relax at the
state-of-the-art spa or take a ride in the hotel’s
fleet of Mercedes Benz. Faena Theatre shows performances including
C’est Rouge! Concierge and room service operate 24/7 with
complimentary pressing services and free wifi to boot.

Things you should know

The restaurants, bars and theatre at the Faena book up fast so
be sure to make reservations ahead of time.

Within a short walk you can find…

Miami Beach is about fifteen steps past the nine-foot tall
Damien Hirst gold-plated mammoth skeleton which – fittingly –
dominates the hotel’s backyard. In the late afternoon, take a
stroll down the length of Collins Avenue to Ocean Drive, where you
can peruse the pastel-coloured Art-Deco district before stopping
for a sundowner cocktail.