When we learned that we would be staying at The Faena Hotel + Universe during our week-long stint in Buenos Aires, our skepticism was palpable. We thought not even the Philippe Starck pedigree (he designed it) could rescue the hotel from its pretentious moniker. Well, we thought wrong.
Upon walking through the floor-to-ceiling red glass-stained doors of the century-old former grain warehouse (located in Buenos Aires’ thriving Puerto Madero neighborhood), we were immediately taken aback by how truly unique the space was. Instead of a central lobby, the Faena’s backbone is a towering, cathedral-like hall that disects the building in two, acting as a focal and undeniably visual meeting point for the hotel’s staff and jet-set guests.
We’ve been a fan of Philippe Starck for some time (and even featured him in issue six), so it was an honor to stay in one of his legendary boutique hotels. The design maestro’s flourishes were everywhere. From the life-size unicorn heads mounted on the walls of the ultra lavish white-on-white bistro, to the antique-filled El Mercado restaurant, walking through the Faena felt more like strolling through a carefully curated museum rather than a hotel, which is exactly how owner Alan Faena intended it.
The eccentric mogul considers himself an artist, rather than a developer, and his intention with his space was to create an immersive world where different cultures, ideas, and eras intersect. The hotel’s library lounge and restaurant are elegant homages to the Belle Epoque, replete with decadent leather sofas, red silk curtains, and beautiful exposed brick at every turn. The infinite pool is the perfect meeting spot for Argentina’s creative class, and the Turkish bath, gym, and spa are all world class. It’s no wonder Starck and Faena’s collaboration has won over a dozen awards, and is responsible for the rejuvination of an entire neighborhood.
- Daniel Barna
