Hotel Snapshot
In the heart of Chelsea, Faena New York reveals itself as an act of creative ambition. Rising above the High Line at 500 West 18th Street, the architectural marvel by Bjarke Ingels Group is the foundation for hotelier Alan Faena’s most evocative urban expression. The property channels New York City’s experimental spirit into a layered world of art, ritual, dining, and performance. Everything is curated to engage the senses and invite deeper connection.
Design & Character
Created by the Faena Design Team in collaboration with Peter Mikic, the interiors fuse bold symbolism with the glamour of old New York, unfolding as a sequence of richly textured, theatrical spaces.
The journey begins in The Cathedral, a soaring lobby animated by Diego Gravinese’s monumental mural, which stretches skyward like a modern myth.
Throughout the hotel, art is embedded into the architecture itself, fostering an atmosphere that feels ceremonial yet seductive, and movement through space becomes part of the story.
The Rooms
Faena New York’s 120 rooms and suites offer a quieter, more introspective counterpoint to its public spaces.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of the Hudson River and the city beyond, while sculptural furnishings, gold-hued textiles, and Daena’s signature iconography evoke an enveloping sense of urban reverie.
The crown jewel is the two-story Faena Suite, a private residence accessed by a dedicated elevator, complete with three king bedrooms, a baby grand piano, and a landscaped terrace with panoramic vistas that stretch from river to skyline.
Food & Drink
At La Boca, Chef Francis Mallmann channels the spirit of Buenos Aires through fire-driven cooking and elemental flavors, set within a grand dining room adorned with playful murals by Edgardo Gimenez and bespoke lighting by Alberto Garutti.
The Living Room is the hotel’s epicenter, evolving from daytime refuge to nocturnal salon across Art Deco-inspired bars and a terrace suspended above the High Line. Expect to hear all sorts of live music seven nights a week.
For those drawn to the intimate and unexpected, La Cava is the art-inflected private dining room featuring the hotel’s most premier wine vintages. Steps away, El Secreto–a speakeasy lounge with a spiky disco ball and private outdoor space–is set to open soon.
Amenities
Faena Art extends the hotel’s creative reach through site-specific installations and public programming. Keith Haring’s expansive Monterey Jazz Festival mural (one of his only works to never touch the ground) hovers just outside The Living Room; this is the New York version of Miami’s woolly mammoth en residence.
Tierra Santa Healing House will introduce a 17,000-square-foot sanctuary devoted to holistic wellness, while the Faena Theater promises immersive performances and cabaret within a gilded, Old Hollywood-inspired setting. Both are set to open in mid-2026.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Faena New York’s Chelsea address puts guests in the center of the West Side action.
The High Line begins just outside, Hudson River Park stretches westwards, and downtown’s galleries and design studios lie moments away. Evenings drift naturally toward cocktails at the neighboring Crane Club or a stroll through the Meatpacking District.
Fast Facts
Location: 500A W 18th Street – Chelsea, New York City
Rating: 5 stars
The Vibe: Faena New York exudes a theatrical, art-infused glamour where creativity, ritual, and sensory immersion converge.
Room Count: 120 rooms and suites
Starting Nightly Rate: $700
Food & Drink: Book a table at Chef Francis Mallmann’s fire-driven La Boca, sip drinks within The Living Room, and spend a night out at El Secreto. La Cava is an ideal hideaway for hosted gatherings.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The sumptuous, bespoke design penetrates every space.
Closest Airport: LaGuardia Airport (LGA) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
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