Faena Hotel Miami Beach

We did have a nice stay at the Faena Miami Beach over all - it's in a good location right on the beach, the interiors are very stylish, the food was good and the staff, on the whole, were friendly and helpful (one or two reception staff were on the cooler side I would say). What took the edge off for us was that we ended up paying a lot more than expected because the policy seems to be to try and get more from you without communicating this effectively. For example - when we arrived we were offered a room upgrade for $400 - we were not told that this was per night so it was a shock when we got the bill. Another example - we went to the show (which was pretty good to be fair) and the waitress came round with water - we said yes thinking she'd just pour us a glass each of still and sparkling but again we were charged for the bottles. This is all down to lack of proper communication and made it feel money-grabbing the whole time we were there. Lots of other examples too long to list. They also didn't give the little touches we've come to expect (for free) at other 5 star hotels we've stayed at e.g. plentiful free chilled water in the mini bar (we were limited to one small bottle each) . We also weren't told when we agreed to the room upgrade that there would be maintenance work outside our room which meant the shower window (what should have been a main feature) was blocked off. However, it wasn't blocked off fully so, as a female, I was left feeling very uncomfortable about having a shower or using the rest of the bathroom in case workmen appeared at the window and could see in through the gaps they'd left when blocking out the window. We did complain about this and the reception manager was apologetic and knocked a bit off our bill but not as much as we felt we should have received given how much extra we had paid. We also currently still have an outstanding error on our bill which no-one is responding to. So all in all mixed feelings about Faena...

Had the best time at Faena Beach! The place is beautiful, relaxing, and great vibes. Thanks to Adit, your beach attendant he was friendly and kind. Can’t wait to come back again soon!

While dining at Faena Hotel, our wonderful server JP recommended we check out the Faena Theater. We saw Retro, and it was an absolutely fantastic show filled with live music and talented performers. Every detail, from the energy of the production to the intimate setting, made the night special. Our server Hannah took amazing care of us throughout the evening, making the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend the Faena Theater for a perfect night out!

Faena isn't a hotel, it's an experience. From the moment you walk in, you know you have entered something totally unique and a throw back to the 1950's era of hospitality and opulence. The first thing you notice is the elevator keypad outside the elevator. You choose your level and you are notified which elevator you will take. No pressing any key once you enter the elevator OR using your room key to activate it. Amazing. The second thing you notice is that you don't need your room key to access the fitness center, pool area, spa or anywhere else on the property. Amazing. The third thing you notice are the extra touches everywhere you go. In your room, you notice the fresh red rose in a vase and the custom chocolates at turndown. In the fitness center, you notice the endless amounts of chilled Evian water and fresh fruit. At the pool, you notice the many amenities served during the day. Amazing. However, it is the experiential feeling you get here that can't be replicated. The "Living Room" at night becomes an exclusive hangout for cocktails and snacks, perfect lighting, cozy couches and live music. The theater performs on weekends alternating shows in an intimate setting and a must see. The two restaurants are an experience on their own. Pao is crazy busy, loud (make reservations well in advance) and serves up a mean short rib and fried chicken bites. Los Fuegos, open for all meals makes an awesome margarita pizza and one of the best chicken salads for lunch. For dinner, the elegant indoor dining room serves up most anything you can think of (both restaurants, men must wear shoes and pants). The spa is divine with a hammam, steam room and sauna all included in the daily service charge ($65). Treatments are top 5 ($290 for 60 minutes). The fitness center has all the equipment you need including two Peloton bikes and is very clean. Pool area is tight and you need to get down in the morning to snag chairs and I love it that you can't save them. There are a few cabanas for $750 daily fee available. Beach area is vast and they offer lounge chairs and umbrellas and just steps away from the hotel. Service is exceptional from the moment you walk in as the attendants are very professional and the pool staff is always checking up on you. They also offer a house car for local transfers to restaurants. Overall, an exceptional property with a warm ambiance second to none. They just opened in NYC and I am sure it is also going to be awesome.

My wife and I have spent the last several anniversaries at the Faena, no place we'd rather be because of the romantic setting, energetic celebration of culture, and atmosphere of good cheer. On this particular occasion, challenging weather forced us to reschedule our stay several times and we were concerned that these short term cancellations and re-bookings might throw a monkey wrench into our plans. Reservations Agent Raul Diaz to the rescue! As he has done so many times in the past, Raul was on top of every detail and not only managed to graciously accommodate our requested dates with the highest level of professionalism, he also placed us in a beautiful Junior Suite with a lovely ocean view. Not to mention a few extra goodies to help us celebrate our anniversary in style. Or the fast availability of our room is spite of a very early arrival. Thank you for orchestrating our stays at the Faena so thoughtfully, Raul! The good vibes are immediate as soon as you walk into the hotel. The welcoming complimentary drink was highly appreciated as we chatted with our concierge John David, who also secured a hard-come-by dinner reservation for us on very short notice. Thank you JD, my wife and I had a great time. I wish I could remember the names of all the Faena team members, they're such a big part of why the hotel is # 1 in Miami Beach. Shout out to pool officer Weedy (I'm sure that's not the correct spelling, my apologies), and my friend at the front door who made such very humorous use of my finger puppets… can't help but chuckle as I write that! The Faena is always vibrant and welcoming, and the location is great - just the right distance for a jaunt downtown while at the same time retaining a sense of exclusivity. Every detail is elegantly addressed at the Faena, it's truly 5-star in every regard. We can't wait to check out the new Faena NY!