Faena Hotel Buenos Aires

Faena Hotel Buenos Aires: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The Faena Hotel Buenos Aires stands as a distinctive and often polarizing luxury experience in the heart of Puerto Madero, known for its bold design, opulent ambiance, and a blend of high praise and specific criticisms from guests. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it promises an elevated stay, delivering on unique aesthetics and a range of facilities, though some aspects of service and value draw mixed reactions.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for Faena Hotel Buenos Aires is largely positive, with overall ratings often in the "Very Good" to "Excellent" range, averaging around 8.0 to 8.6 out of 10 on various platforms. Guests are frequently captivated by its unique style and atmosphere. However, this positive outlook is often tempered by recurring concerns regarding inconsistent service quality and perceived value for money.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Faena Hotel Buenos Aires:

• Design & Atmosphere: The hotel, designed by Philippe Starck, is a striking conversion of a former grain warehouse. Its interiors feature a dramatic, imperial style with black marble and red velvet accents, creating an art-inspired homage to Argentina. The ambiance is often described as luxurious, with unique elements like unicorn heads in El Bistro and a glamorous rococo-style theater for the Rojo Tango show.
• Amenities: The hotel boasts an impressive array of facilities, including two restaurants, a world-class spa with hammam and sauna, a fitness center, and a beautiful outdoor infinity pool surrounded by red loungers and a golden crown-shaped fountain. The Rojo Tango show is a significant highlight, often cited as a must-do experience and among the best in Argentina.
• Location: Its prime waterfront location in the gentrifying Puerto Madero East district is frequently praised for being a pleasant break from the city center's hustle and offering easy access to cultural attractions and dining.

3. Room Quality

The 87 rooms and 21 suites at Faena Hotel Buenos Aires are part of its distinctive charm. They are spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with technological gadgetry, including flat-screen TVs and automated curtains. A signature feature highlighted by guests is the enormous, often freestanding, claw-footed tubs in glass-walled bathrooms, sometimes with red velvet curtains. Beds are described as super soft and comfortable. However, some guests have found the room layouts to be "horrible," the lighting controls complex, and in some instances, the rooms or bathrooms did not feel "super clean" or were "not that nice". Some rooms, particularly the smaller Skyline Rooms, offer excellent river views, while the larger Porteno Suites provide sweeping city views.

4. Dining Experience

Faena Hotel Buenos Aires offers diverse culinary experiences:

• Restaurants:
  • El Mercado: Honors the traditional cantinas of Buenos Aires and European open-air markets, offering authentic Argentine fare.
  • Bistro Sur (Italpast Pop-up): Currently features a pop-up experience by Chef Pedro Picciau, serving traditional Italian-Sardinian haute cuisine, characterized by "Kubrickian white with red accents and unicorn heads mounted on the walls."
  • La Cava: Houses one of Argentina's grandest wine collections.
• Breakfast: Often described as "perfect" and "great," featuring delicious fruits, cold cuts, cheese from grass-fed cows, and eggs. However, some reviews state that breakfast is not usually included in the rates.
• Other Dining: The Rojo Tango show includes dinner, though some found the dinner itself "good but nothing special considering the price." There are mixed reviews on specific dishes, with one guest finding steak at an Italian restaurant dry and seafood pasta too sweet. Some guests also noted a lack of diverse casual dining options at certain times.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is varied. Many guests highlight exceptional hospitality, with staff being described as "incredibly helpful," "friendly," "attentive," and "professional." Personalized service from specific staff members, such as Diana, has been particularly appreciated. The presence of butlers and "Experience Managers" (concierges) is also noted. English proficiency among staff is a significant plus for international travelers.

However, dissatisfaction regarding service quality, particularly room service and the availability of amenities like the pool and restaurant options, is a recurring criticism. Some guests have noted that Argentine service can be slower than what they are accustomed to.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Faena Hotel is strategically located on Martha Salotti Street in Puerto Madero East, Buenos Aires, on the waterfront. This neighborhood is known for being revitalized and offers a break from the busy city center. It provides easy access to the city's vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and dining scene, with many attractions within walking distance.

• Airports: It's approximately a 20-minute drive from Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport and a 40-minute drive from Ezeiza International Airport.
• Local Transport: Taxis are plentiful for reaching nightlife hotspots, which are about twenty minutes away.

7. Value & Pricing

Faena Hotel Buenos Aires is considered a luxury property, and its pricing reflects that. With an average room price around $367 (compared to the city average of $215), some guests feel it offers "exceptional value for money" for the unparalleled luxury experience. Others, however, commonly express concerns about the overall value for the price, feeling that the hotel "did not meet their expectations in several areas" and that it might be "pretty pricey." The Rojo Tango show, while highly recommended, is also noted as being expensive. Breakfast is often not included in the room rate, which can add to the overall cost.

8. Common Complaints

Despite its luxury status and unique appeal, several recurring criticisms emerge from guest reviews:

• Inconsistent Service: Dissatisfaction with service quality, especially room service, is noted.
• Outdated Aspects/Renovation Needs: Some guests have mentioned that the hotel "needs some renovation on some points" and that it's "far from being the hotel it was decades ago."
• Cleanliness: While beds are generally clean, some guests found the rooms in general not "super clean" and observed tissues or other items on the floor upon arrival that remained there upon departure.
• Room Functionality: Issues with "horrible layout" and complex lighting controls in rooms have been reported.
• Dining Limitations: Some have expressed a desire for more diverse food options at the bar or for lighter, more casual fare at certain times of the day. Specific dishes in the Italian restaurant have received negative feedback.
• Pool Water Temperature: One guest noted the pool water was "too hot."

In conclusion, Faena Hotel Buenos Aires offers a truly unique and luxurious experience, heavily driven by its distinctive Philippe Starck design and vibrant atmosphere. While its amenities, especially the pool and the Rojo Tango show, are highly praised, and many guests appreciate the attentive staff and prime location, potential visitors should be aware of past concerns regarding service consistency, perceived value for money, and some aspects of room maintenance and dining.

Sources

1. kayak.com
2. agoda.com
3. booking.com
4. booking.com
5. mrandmrssmith.com
6. michelin.com
7. youtube.com
8. ahotellife.com
9. michelin.com
10. booking.com
11. faena.com
12. booking.com