When it comes to Miami, the word “iconic” is best reserved for The Surf Club, the Surfside social club that’s served as a playground for the world’s glitterati since the 1930s. Some famous guests from across the decades? Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as well as Winston Churchill. “I want sun, solitude, serenity, and something to eat, perhaps something to drink,” the British prime minister said. (From his cabana, he painted the ocean.)
Today, the historic property’s hotel is managed by the Four Seasons, who act as a worthy steward to its grandeur: a rich landscape of coconut palms graces its nine acres of oceanfront, while the restored lobby maintains the same Mediterranean style, vaulted ceilings, and flora murals as the original. (In fact, so spectacular is the setting that Dolce & Gabbana hosted their Alta Moda show in its hallowed halls this past December.) It’s also a culinary paradise: Michelin-starred chefs Thomas Keller and Michael White each have their own signature restaurants.
The Faena (Mid-Beach)
The Faena in Miami Beach. Courtesy of The Faena.
The Faena, with its bold red awnings, gold-leaf ceilings, and unabashed embrace of animal print, exudes a dramatic, disorderly glamor. Which, for many in Miami, is exactly what you want—this is the city, after all, known for its magnetic atmosphere of neon lights, pool parties, and nightclubs. The Faena allows you to indulge in this maximalist energy without sacrificing comfort: its guest rooms have Carrara marble bathrooms and private butlers, while its restaurant, Los Fuegos, is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Francis Mallman. Then, there’s its famous art glass-encased mammoth titled “Gone But Not Forgotten,” by Damien Hirst. (Go ahead, take a picture—you know you want to.)
Miami Beach Edition (Mid-Beach)
Courtesy of The Edition
