Have you ever watched ‘The Great Gatsby’ and wished you could step into Baz Luhrmann’s rose-tinted world? Well, that’s precisely what The Faena offers luxury travellers. I enjoyed a stay at this iconic property in my hometown of Miami and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.

First Impressions

The Faena is big, bold and artistic. When you step through its doors, you enter an art-deco dream world where Gatsby himself would feel right at home. With gold, flowers and flashes of scarlet everywhere, this property offers a true escape from reality. I especially loved the red-and-white peppermint style pool umbrellas; they made for a great drone shot! Legendary Hollywood director Bay Luhrmann was a design consultant for the Faena, so it’s not surprising that the decor is so magical, daring and elegant.

As you might expect, there’s a strong emphasis on art at the Faena. The hotel has an exciting schedule full of events, festivals and art incubators designed to support the local artistic community. Since the property is located in the heart of Miami Beach, you’ll also have your pick of entertainment and experiences during your stay here.

Accommodation

The property’s penthouse suite will truly take your breath away with its floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic ocean views. With its blend of black, gold and animal print, the five-bedroom suite definitely had an opulent, indulgent feel. By far my favorite detail was the grand piano, which totally felt like a detail from one of Bay Luhrmann’s movies. It added such a whimsical, romantic touch to the suite.

The Spa

I also consider myself as something of a luxury wellness expert and I have to say I was very impressed by the shaman-developed rituals at the Tierra Santa Healing Spa. I’m passionate about holistic healing and the spa’s Unique Healing Arts program was one of the most impressive I’ve come across. There’s also a team of doctors to take you through preventative medicines. Naturally, we’re all more concerned about our health than ever before right now, so this was a really welcome experience.

Food and Drink

Guests have plenty of dining options to choose from at The Faena. I highly recommend a visit to Los Fuegos, a South American restaurant with an open-fire kitchen. The food was spicy and flavorsome and I really enjoyed the young, contemporary atmosphere.

You can also enjoy excellent Asian-European fusion at Pao by Paul Qui, and I definitely recommend enjoying a leisurely breakfast at Veranda, where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the turquoise ocean.

Final Thoughts

This beautiful, artistic hotel offers guests a highly curated escape from reality. If you’re ready to step into a glamorous, whimsical fantasy land, then look no further than The Faena.

For more hotel reviews, discover what it was like to stay at Soneva Fushi during covid-19.