Opened in January this year in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Hotel Casa Lucia marks the first venture of the Único Hotels group outside of Spain. With family ties to Argentina, hotelier and owner of Único Hotels, Pau Guardans, has long loved the city’s vibrancy and chose the country for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture and rich cuisine. Casa Lucia is housed in the historic Mihanovich Building , once the tallest building in Latin America, designed to offer spectacular views of the Río de la Plata, resembling a lighthouse intended to welcome those arriving in Buenos Aires for the first time. The building is located on the famous and elegant Calle Arroyo , a charming street famous for its elegant French architecture and for being home to Buenos Aires' leading fashion houses and art galleries. Calle Arroyo runs through the heart of Recoleta , a neighborhood home to elaborate historic palaces, chic shops and cultural landmarks, including the Recoleta Cemetery, where Argentina’s iconic First Lady Eva Perón is buried. “I’ve always admired Argentina because it’s a country that has it all: mountains, oceans, deserts and ice, and because it’s the beloved home of much of my family,” explains Pau Guardans i Cambó, CEO of Único Hotels. More than just a lobby, the vibrant entrance features a large-scale custom-made mural by local artist Cristina Codern . Bringing together the latest creative talent from local design and architecture houses, the year-long renovation was led by Buenos Aires-based firm Torrado Arquitectos , alongside the team from Punta del Este, Uruguay-based firm Estudio Nanda Schuch , led by Brazilian Fernanda Schuch and architect Caroline Weissheimer . "For the decor, we were inspired by the golden age of Argentina and Buenos Aires, which between 1880 and 1940 became the sixth richest country in the world. Throughout the hotel, we decided to maintain the monochromatic colors of the building's original architecture, using raw tones and black as a frame to bring elegance to the decor," says Fernanda. "I believe that the hotel also fits into the ' quiet luxury ' trend, in which noble materials provide sophistication for a timeless decor, enhancing the architecture of the imposing building," she adds.

The hotel’s 142 rooms and suites feature elegant furnishings that contrast and complement their historic roots, as well as contemporary art by award-winning Argentine artist Cristián Mohaded , whose work is featured at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Musée Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Making the most of the stunning views, many rooms and suites feature balconies with outdoor showers, lounge chairs and alfresco dining, giving guests the opportunity to savor views of the city and the Rio de la Plata. The Cantina Restaurant captures the essence of the land with fresh, local ingredients, and offers guests meals in its bright dining room or in one of six private dining rooms with natural light. Next door, Le Club Bacan , a lively cocktail bar run by cocktail master Martín Suaya , offers more than 400 varieties of Argentine wines curated by Master Sommelier Aldo Garcia and music from Buenos Aires' best DJs. On top of all this, Casa Lucia is home to a luxurious spa comprising three treatment cabins, a state-of-the-art gym and an elaborate 16m pool framed by mirrors and dominated by spectacular photography by artist Marc Zimmerman.