5-star hotel
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
Forget understated elegance; Faena is a cinematic production you happen to sleep in. From the moment you pass through the gilded 'Cathedral' entrance with its gold-leaf murals, the hotel demands your attention. The visual anchor is Damien Hirst’s 'Gone but not Forgotten'—a 24-karat gold woolly mammoth skeleton in the garden that sets the tone for a stay defined by audacity. The rooms offer a surprisingly plush retreat with Art Deco flourishes, but the real drama unfolds in the common areas. The Tierra Santa Healing House transcends the typical hotel spa experience, offering shamanic rituals and a massive, marble-clad hammam that feels ancient and restorative. Dining is equally theatrical. At Los Fuegos, Francis Mallmann’s open-fire kitchen chars a 48oz Hanging Tomahawk steak to smoky perfection, while Pao by Paul Qui serves 'The Unicorn' (sea urchin) in a dining room presided over by another Hirst sculpture. The verdict? Service can suffer from a 'style over substance' lag common in South Beach, and the price point is aggressive. However, for those seeking the iconic red-and-white striped pool umbrellas and a hotel that doubles as a contemporary art gallery, Faena earns its standing ovation.
