(Buenos Aires) — When I first went to Buenos Aires in 2005, the Puerto Madero waterfront redevelopment has only been completed for a short time. When I first saw pictures of the soaring lobby of the Faena Hotel & Universe in a travel magazine, I just knew I had to go there. Universe?  C’mon.  But when I read about how it was built inside a restored Victorian era warehouse/factory and saw pictures of all the details, I just had to check it out.  At the time, boutique hotels were still something new, but I knew something cool was going on when I walked in and there was no reception desk and you checked in with an Experience Manager. I thought it was a gimmick, but really what they did there was something really unique. Each day, your Experience Manager would ask what you wanted to do and would give you advice on where to go, how to get there, make arrangements.  At the time, it was something remarkable. I haven’t heard much about it since, but it really was a cool place to stay.  It’s expensive for BA, but I still remember it often. Check out the cabaret/tango show with a nice R rated theme that was really surprising.  The design in something that still stays strong. A really excellent pool, too.

 Last visited: December 2005