It did not take long for this venue to become a “cult” address in the artsy El Porteno district of Puerto Madero, itself an insider enclave of trend in the Argentinian capital; the colossal Faena Hotel + Universe, born from the unbridled  imagination of Alan Faena and Philippe Starck, is an imposing presence that is housed in a former grain silo straight out of the Belle Epoque era.

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A 10-meter high double swing door, all in red glass that opens onto the “Cathedral”, leads to a long corridor of 80 meters lit on either side by huge bay windows in engraved glass; a team of  “experience managers”, instead of the usual lobby and concierge, is in charge of putting together a customized insider’s view of Buenos Aires; huge baroque suites and decoration that proclaims imperial associations—black marble on red velvet—, that is certainly a little overdone but jubilatory... It is quite difficult to remain indifferent when faced with the romance and eccentricity of this building in red bricks from Manchester entirely renovated that showcases the off-beat taste of its designers. A place more or less conceived in a theatrical style, spanning      15 000 square meters, 110 rooms and suites, spread out on the building’s 7 floors, like an avalanche of luxury and decadence. This is the challenge of the Faena Hôtel + Universe.