The Faena – Miami

My previous posts on the Faena Empire and the sophisticated theatre, C’est Rouge! and one of their star performers Irina Kazakova, https://www.instagram.com/sunallure/?hl=enn didn’t include a review of the hotel or the spa.

Travel Mantra: a hotel for each and every client – this is not your ordinary Miami hotel, I would recommend to very specific clients. Imagine if you collaborate with Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin as creative consultants; Catherine, an Academy Award winning designer. Imagine grand theatre, imagine a contemporary art filled property, jazzy soundtracks, a Cathedral arrival foyer studded with shimmering gold-leaf columns and surrounded by dramatic neo-romantic floor to ceiling frescoes painted by Spanish artist Juan Gatti…and that is just the entrance. Happily, there are small velvet covered settees to catch your fall as you strain and bend to take in the amazing Cathedral entrance. The walls echo a story, of course, as Alan Faena is The Most Contemporary Storyteller – Gatti’s story revolves around a Journey of love, science and nature.https://i0.wp.com/www.faena.com/miami-beach/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/11/Faena_hotel2_05_Cathedral_HOME-1920x704.jpg?resize=584%2C214

At every corner, hallway, restaurant and outdoor terrace, be prepared to be wowed, dazzled and inspired by spectacular artistic design. From the Cathedral foyer gaze out to the shimmering blue sea, your view is interrupted by a 10,000 year old woolly mammoth skeleton dipped in 24karat gold – a Damien Hirst sculpture entitled “Gone But Not Forgotten,” encased in a larger-than-life temperature controlled glass box. Faena Hotel is not designed for the timid traveler!

The over-the-top Living Room Lounge is furnished in opulent and silky claret and tiger patterned prints with a breathtaking gold chandelier. Dinner upstairs at Pao is managed by James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Qui. The Pan-Asian cuisine is served at glammy candlelit tables directly below another spectacular painted bronze and gold leaf Damien Hirst unicorn sculpture, Golden Myth. Inspired dining, inspired interiors.https://i0.wp.com/www.faena.com/miami-beach/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/11/Faena_hotel_PAO_MAIN-1920x1470.jpg?resize=584%2C447

Los Fuegos Francis Mallmann Death by Steak!

Glamorous dining at Los Fuegos Faena Hotel

The Faena is an inspirational foodie centric destination. My favorite Argentine chef, Francis Mallmann hosts his first U.S. restaurant here, Los Fuegos. Mallman is the legendary asado grill master who made his fame in Latin America. My son & I made mecca visits in Buenos Aires and Mendoza to his temples of asado – he texted me while I was dining: send me photos! My enormous rib eye with chimichurri was easily the most scrumptious cut of meat I’ve ever tasted, sandwiched by the Mallmann famous square cut potatoes, it was a bit much, but a couple of glasses of fine Malbec kept me alive!https://i0.wp.com/www.faena.com/miami-beach/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/11/FAENA-HOTEL-MIAMI-122115_%C2%A9Todd-Eberle__T6A2562-Pano-2_FINAL-1920x1470.jpg?resize=584%2C447

The 169 rooms and suites (plus 13 penthouse residences) continue the visual delights; the aesthetic flair is echoed in each and every detail. Colorful, bright and bold artistic visuals – permeated by ruby red accents, most rooms contain small terraces. I would opt for the rarely viewed Penthouses, which are cavernous and could easily host a raft of friends.https://i0.wp.com/www.faena.com/miami-beach/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/11/Faena_Suite_Bedroom-1920x1470.jpg?resize=584%2C447

Lounge at the glamorous Art-Deco pool topped by colorful red & white striped umbrellas, or pad out to the beach and be spoiled by the hotel beach guardians who provide sun cream and fruit infused chilled water.

Did I mention the spa? Separate post coming – oh my! How could this hotel hotel get any more decadent? Think Shaman spiritual spa advisor!

The Faena Hotel, Miami

Outrageous opulence with no apologies at the Faena – it’s fun and festive and flamboyant!