Manhattan Mary - 3
Before Girlahead leaves town, must pay a quickie to New York’s saucy-lux hotel, Alan Faena’s eponymous 120-key downtown Faena New York.
As always this Argentian front man’s done everything, even composed the toiletries – he’s a genius, and fortunately he seems to have a tap of money (thanks Len). An unused plot of downtown land was bought. Gehry, Heatherwick and Nouvel put up, unrelated, blocks of residences. Faena put up a hotel.
Its GM François-Olivier Luiggi, above, is in charge of what is current top new hotel – it opened 9 September 2025 (rather than joining a consortium Faena’s back-end support relies on being part of Accor Luxury). Luigi said he was absolutely floored when he won ‘best new hotel’ against such tight competition and of course he’ll do something with his 350 team members, 80% of whom are still there from the opening, to celebrate the hotel’s first birthday.
Faena New York’s the big 2026 success. The area’s base for terrific techies, many of all ages find mid-town too stuffy. Teenagers love it here. What’s not to love? Excitement around (High Line edges its windows). Doormen are cheerleader-type girls in cream, top to toe, top hats down. Fun rooms, fun food, a spa full of colour. The speakeasy’s open, the cabaret comes in May. Her Majesty presides over a meeting room. Time to leave town, Girlahead.
