Located in the heart of Puerto Madero, one of Buenos Aires’ most affluent neighborhoods, the Faena Hotel occupies a masterfully converted granary silo. Keeping its original details, the building boasts a stunning red brick façade along with high ceilings and curved interior walls. Within this classy, low-profile exterior lies Alan Faena and Philippe Starck’s collaborative design magnum opus.
Designed to evoke the fascinating “Belle Époque” grandeur that brought greatness to Buenos Aires at the turn of the last century, the interiors are filled with opulence and drama. Ruby red is the central color-scheme, complemented with dark tones and luscious fabrics in the social areas, and with white, ivory and gold hues in the rooms and suites. Doormen donning elegant long-tailed coats and stately top hats greet you at the entrance, opening up the doors to the trendy, palatial utopia that is Faena.
The hotel has a total of 87 rooms and suites in 13 separate categories, ranging in size from 35m² to 360m² and offering a plethora of scenic views. From the perfectly manicured Puerto Madero Gardens to the beautiful Rio de la Plata, lush Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve, glistening Buenos Aires city skyline, magical Puerto Madero quayside and the historic San Telmo District, the expansive windows let the beauty of the surrounding landscape – and the sunlight – seep in.
The interiors are the true eye-catcher though – adorned in deep-red floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains, couches and carpets superbly contrasted by ivory-colored furnishings with elaborate gilding and pure-white leather armchairs with swans for armrests, each room is a work of art. The beds take command of the rooms, where they sit center-stage, reflected by glorious mirror cabinets that swivel to reveal smartly-disguised home theaters.
Dark cherry wood and merlot leather accents feature in some suites, while every room and suite boasts antique-inspired filigreed mirrors, lapacho hardwood floors and delicate hand-embroidered artisanal throws, adding a flourish of Buenos Aires refinement to the space. Custom Egyptian cotton Faena linens bring in a luxurious touch, while complimentary wifi and the latest and greatest in technology keep the rooms ahead of the curve.
Glass walls, lavishly-encarved mirrors, 19th century-inspired clawfoot free-standing bathtubs, open waterfall showers and whirlpool baths for two make the arabescato marble-clad bathrooms as sensational as the bedrooms. Custom soft, fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers paired with the signature Faena scent makes the whole space feel a bit more like home.
For the true Faena experience, however, the hotel’s namesake Fanea Suite is a must. Embodying the genuine style and creative vision of its owner, Alan Faena, the spacious two-bedroom suite is a curated collection of contemporary artwork by local artists, diverse libraries, antiques and artisanal keepsakes from around the world that create a cosmopolitan sanctuary to reconnect with the poetry of life.
The hotel has no shortage of spaces equally as poetic as the Faena Suite, however. From the moment you step into the hotel, you feel the magic of the space with its long, glowing ruby hallway with high ceilings, golden velvet drapes, cabaret-red rugs and pitch-black horsehair benches. It’s the lighting, it’s the colors, it’s the feel and it’s the smell – this multi-sensory experience is what transports you to Faena’s fantasy world.
The hotel’s entrance is but one facet of the design masterpiece that is Faena. The restaurants and bars take theatrical design to new heights: El Mercado, smothered in wood and brick and finished off with sophisticated Starck chairs and quirky mismatched reclaimed tiles on the ceiling, pays homage to Buenos Aires with its Argentine trinkets on display and portraits of local and international icons on the walls.
The Library Lounge, with its plump, chocolate-colored leather sofas, richly detailed Persian carpets and sparkling crystal candelabras draws you in with its charm. The hotel’s pièce de résistance, however, is the whimsical world of Bistro Sur. A continuous flow of white walls and floors is divinely interrupted by splashes of red rugs and elegantly placed red roses. Grandiose chandeliers illuminate the room, which is lined wall to wall with red-eyed unicorn heads, and perfectly rounded off by a floor-to-ceiling artwork at the end of space – a true Philipe Starcke masterstroke.
The food and drinks at the hotel’s dining venues are as other-worldly as their settings. El Mercado blends the energy of Buenos Aires’ legendary cantinas with the charm of Europe’s open-air markets, serving the best of authentic Argentinian fare cooked in a traditional adobe oven. In winter, El Mercado’s warm and intimate atmosphere makes for a comforting dining experience, but summers bring al fresco dining on the restaurant’s terrace with authentic wood fire asados.
Bistro Sur’s cuisine is as fascinating as its décor. A delicate, fine-dining menu is presented here, featuring inventive dishes prepared using modern techniques and Argentina’s best seasonal products. A meal here is also an excellent occasion to try out one of the wines in Faena’s renowned cellar – with over 4000 bottles, this is the most comprehensive selection in Argentina. The cellar dining room, La Cava, is intimate and awe-inspiring, making it the perfect spot for private wining and dining.
For your drinks fix, there are three bars in the hotel. The Library Lounge, lined with antique books and draped in red velvet, is a splendid spot to sip on a glass of Argentine red. Sample their snacks or tea-time treats while spending your afternoon relaxing in the comfortable space, or visit on a Wednesday through Saturday for some live entertainment. On a hot day, the Poolbar is the place to be: think cocktails, sunshine, swimming, DJs and stunning scenery. A true oasis amidst the bustling city, the Faena pool with its famous crown statuette fountain, enveloped by rose-tinted sunloungers and a sea of matching geraniums, is undoubtedly the place to see and be seen.
As the day saunters into the night, tango begins to fill the air from the Faena’s renowned, 1920s-inspired El Cabaret. A vibrant temple that prolongs the night and crowns the day to the rhythm of the award-winning Rojo Tango show, El Cabaret is a must-do when you’re in the city. Buenos Aires is the world capital of Tango and its residents live and breathe it, with intensity through its music, dance, street culture, history, clothing and poetry. Effervescent and ethereal, El Cabaret’s dazzling live orchestra, great dancers, traditional Argentine cuisine, and a fine selection of local wines and cocktails all make this a must-see production.
After a night filled with dance, the Faena Spa is the ideal place to unwind. Offering holistic therapies for spirit, mind and body, as well as daily yoga and meditation classes, a fitness center, hammam, sauna and relaxation room, the Faena Spa is a truly a sanctuary of serenity. The selection of treatments offered are at aimed at raising the spirit, calming the mind and rejuvenating the body. The candle-lit, marble-enrobed hammam, which is renowned in the city, is the idyllic spot to combat jetlag with its ever-flowing eucalyptus-scented steam.
With the best standards of purity and the most advanced scientific technology applied to beauty, Faena Spa has partnered with the world-renowned French company Biologique Recherche to create a range of personalized treatments that promote deep states of relaxation with incredible results. This lengthy list of unique treatments includes various botanical facials, energy-aligning chakras and deep-tissue massages.
Along with its advanced spa, alluring restaurants and lounges, stunning bedrooms, beautiful décor and fiery entertainment, the Faena Buenos Aires also boasts an impressive list of hotel amenities. Dedicated Experience Managers design the guest experience, from pre-arrival planning to departure arrangements, while zealous butlers are at the service of the Imperial, Presidential and Faena Suite guests. Fully-stocked bar-fridges, delectable in-room dining and signature Faena toiletries are available in the rooms.
The hotel is also located a short walk to the city’s major tourist attractions, including the Faena Art Center – an institute for art and artistic experimentation created to present groundbreaking, site-specific installations, offering an international and innovative exhibition program to the city of Buenos Aires. It is undeniable that Faena Hotel Buenos Aires redefines the travel experience through its masterful combination of art, recreation, nature and technology – it is a truly epicurean destination in one of the world’s most intriguing cities.
To find out more, visit Faena’s website, or contact Faena Hotel Buenos Aires using the details below:
Email: reservations@faenahotels.com
Tel: +54 11 4010 9070
Instagram: @faena
Facebook: @faenabuenosaires
Images © Faena Buenos Aires