Inside La Boca restaurant, by chef Francis Mallmann. Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
La Boca by Francis Mallmann was the setting for a long‑awaited lunch with friends at Faena New York, and every moment felt like a rediscovery of what it means for a hotel — and the city — to be art, performance, and culture intertwined.
The metamorphosis begins the moment you arrive. Within its West Chelsea location, steps from the High Line, Faena New York doesn’t shy away from extravagance. Gilded ceilings, dramatic murals, plush textures — a place where every detail whispers theatre. The Cathedral lobby, adorned with Diego Gravinese’s “A Sephirotic Journey,” envelops you in grandeur; the echo of footsteps on marble, the glow of rich velvets, the hush before your friend asks, “Is this real?”
The entryway to the Faena New York, with the mural “Ascension, A Sephirotic Journey.”. Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
Lunch at La Boca is a lesson in how cuisine can articulate story. Under Chef Francis Mallmann’s direction, Argentine asado techniques bring together smoke, flame, and fierce sincerity. The flavor is bold, the atmosphere intimate. Each plate is electric: charred meat, rustic fire-roasted vegetables, wine‑glazed conversation. Dining becomes a performance where friends become cast members in a feast of senses.
A bar at Faena New York. Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
The Living Room. Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
Luxury & Design as the Language of Experience
Guest rooms and suites continue the narrative — sculptural furnishings, floor‑to‑ceiling windows framing the Hudson, rich textiles, sweeping views, understated yet bold choices. A suite isn’t just a room; it’s a statement. Some rooms even blend marble baths and expansive terraces, balconies that become stages for morning light.
Views from a guest room. Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
A guestroom bathroom. Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
Art isn’t a backdrop here — it’s a collaborator. Pop‑art murals by Edgardo Gimenez, custom light fixtures, curated vintage touches. It’s a reminder that when interiors are allowed to express, they become more than decor: they become identity.
Wellness, Performance & Spaces to Belong
Tierra Santa Spa Day (Miami) Credit: Faena Miami
Even as the spa (the Tierra Santa Healing House) and the theatre await their grand openings, the impulse toward holistic living is already present. Wellness is no longer an afterthought—it’s central. Spaces for pause, movement, reconnection, and ritual are being woven in. The sense of belonging grows not just from luxury, but from thoughtful design, art, and shared experience.
What Faena Means for NYC
Credit: Nikolas Koenig/Faena New York
Faena New York does more than add another luxury hotel to Manhattan — it shifts the axis of what luxury hospitality can be. It honors craft (flame, texture, narrative), embraces artistry (murals, performance, design), and invites connection (shared meals, gatherings, wellness). It’s a vibrant jewel in Chelsea’s evolving crown.
Have You Been There?
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of wandering through its golden halls, dining in its opulent rooms, or simply absorbing its energy, Faena is calling. It’s more than a hotel opening—it’s a cultural moment, one worth savoring over wine and laughter with friends.
Curious to explore more new openings, hotel design trends, or what’s shifting in luxury NYC living? Reach out — whether you’re planning your next stay, redesigning your home, or just want a tour through the city’s newest glamour.
