A Weekend at Faena Miami Beach
Beach Club at Faena Miami Beach
First Impressions
I recently spent three nights at Faena Miami Beach and, to be honest, was surprised by how much I loved it. You could easily never leave the property and still feel like you’ve had a full Miami experience: equal parts art, beach, design, and performance. Each morning began with the same decision: pool or beach? (Tip: go early if you want your favorite striped umbrella.) Poolside service at both means frozen cocktails and club sandwiches delivered right to your lounger, which was exactly the vibe.
Pathway from the beach to the hotel pool
The Rooms
The rooms at Faena Miami Beach are something out of this world and I am not embellishing, let me tell you why: they are true jewel boxes that feel more like a designer’s private dream home than a hotel suite. Every piece feels intentional, richly layered, and unapologetically bold. It’s as if the designer was told, “There’s no budget—just bring your vision to life exactly as you imagined it.” You can feel that freedom in the space, from the deep reds and golds to the unexpected textures and statement art. Our Partial Ocean View Junior Suite was stunning, glamorous, bold, and sensory; a little over-the-top in the best way, with that theatrical-glamour-meets-beach-resort vibe. It had personality, definitely not minimal. If you love a dramatic, richly detailed aesthetic with a dash of fantasy, you’ll feel right at home here.
Days & Nights at Faena
By day, Faena’s pool and beach club are equally gorgeous. The pool area feels lush and tropical, while the beach stretches wide and golden, dotted with those signature red-and-white umbrellas. Service was solid, nothing quite on the 5 Star Mexico resort level, but good for Miami, and both settings offer a luxurious ease. One note: the beach and pool are open to local Faena club members, which adds energy but can make the pool feel a bit more full than expected.
The dining at Faena Miami Beach is exceptional. The Tree of Life Bar might be one of the most visually stunning hotel bars I’ve ever seen, it's like an oceanic fantasy that feels “upscale under the sea.” Every inch is meticulously designed, from the coral-toned seating to the shimmering glass details.
Dinner at Pao by Paul Qui was another highlight. Chef Qui somehow makes fried chicken and Hamachi sashimi make sense in the same meal—his playful yet refined menu perfectly matches Faena’s personality. We did not have the opportunity to eat here but: for something more intimate, the hotel hides an eight-seat omakase restaurant, El Secreto, also by Qui. This speakeasy-style experience mixes Kyoto-style kaiseki and Tokyo-style sushi in a beautifully, candlelit space, which I did have the opportunity to walk through.
One of the most memorable parts of the trip was the Faena Theater. Inspired by European opera houses and Old Hollywood glamour, the red-and-gold theater hosts rotating performances throughout the year. The show we caught, Music Through the Decades, was a high-energy mix of live music, burlesque, and dance that captured the essence of Miami: vibrant, stylish, and a little bit wild. Faena’s lineup includes everything from jazz and cabaret to comedy and icons like Dita Von Teese and Ute Lemper.
Afterward, we slipped into The Living Room bar, hidden behind heavy red curtains with a doorman who feels like he is there to give a sense of exclusivity, rather than functional. Inside, it is no surprise all the vibe is golden-age glamour. It had dim lighting and live jazz. It’s the perfect place for late-night cocktails and conversation, steeped in vintage sophistication.
Final Thoughts
And in the morning? Don’t skip the croissants, they’re light, buttery perfection and the best way to start another day in paradise.
Between the food, design, poolside ease, and on-site entertainment, Faena Miami Beach delivers the kind of escape where every detail feels deliberate and every corner tells a story. For a three-night getaway, especially with friends, it’s that rare hotel where you truly don’t need (or want) to necessarily go off property. It almost feels foreign, the kind of place that makes you forget you’re just a short flight from home rather than a long-haul away in Europe.
