Buenos Aires is a city of contrasts, noisy bustling streets abut elegant, refined neighbourhoods. A mix of cultural influences from French and Italian to the original Spanish conquerors contributes to a vibrant and fascinating city. It is a brilliant place to spend a few days on a trip to Argentina and for luxury holidays it offers much in the way of excellent choices for accommodation. Here we run through our top 5 favourites and why you need to include them on a luxury trip to Latin America.
The Four Seasons is everything you would expect from this classic name and more. The lobby is a striking entrance to the hotel with 1950’s style grandeur of polished marble and dark wood. The rooms are decorated with stylish elegance and range from Mansion View or City View to a variety of suites.
The restaurants are an institution in themselves. The Pony Club Bar has been decorated as its name suggests, in the style of a Polo club with dark wood, leather and authentic equine touches. The food here is more relaxed and guests can enjoy a light bite or glass of wine.
The Nuestro Secreto restaurant is in a glass building a short walk across the courtyard. An excellent choice, particularly in the summer when the roof can be rolled back, it serves meat cooked in the traditional asado style over hot coals.
The Elena restaurant is an altogether richer experience. The décor remains classic and striking with an original dumb waiter and tiled floors. The food is delicious and guests can enjoy melt in the mouth charcuterie; an enticing mix of meats and cheeses. The star of the show here though is the 45-day dry-aged beef. Cooked to perfection and washed down with a smooth glass of red, you can’t get much better than this.
Luxurious experiences on offer at the Four Seasons include a chance to create your own signature scent with one of the world’s great perfumers and a Tango Massage, performed to the beat of beautiful Tango music.
The Alvear Palace, as its name suggests is housed in one of Buenos Aires’ old palaces. Situated in the Recoleta, an elegant and sophisticated neighbourhood which could easily be Paris or Madrid, this hotel oozes opulence.
The entrance is grand and you have the feeling of stepping back in time as you push through the original wooden doors and stand in the lobby. Many original features remain, from the gilt edged display cases to the wooden reception and concierge desk.
The rooms continue in the same opulent style with rich reds and golds and gilt edged furniture. Thick carpets and elegant footed baths set in marble bathrooms complete the warm and elegant feel.
The La Bourgogne restaurant serves delicious French cuisine in a stylish setting, complete with its own wine cellar and area for private dining.
The gastronomic highlight of this hotel is without doubt Afternoon Tea in the Orangerie. Touted as the best in Buenos Aires, it deserves the accolade with tiers of delicate sandwiches, delicious scones and elegant cakes and pastries. Fine tea accompanies them and the surroundings certainly make one feel as if you are taking tea in a bygone era.
The Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt is a sophisticated hotel located just round the corner from the Alvear Palace in the Recoleta. Housed also in a restored palace that was on the verge of destruction before it was saved for the hotel, it offers a sleeker and more modern experience with the same traditional touches. The hotel is divided over two buildings separated by elegant gardens; the original palace and a more modern structure, covered in dramatic creeper. The Palacio building retains more of the original style with grand salons, elegant furniture and sparkling chandeliers.
The rooms are decorated in a sophisticated and understated style with large marble bathrooms, polished hardwood floors and a light and airy décor.
Art is a strong feature in this hotel and the passage that connects the two buildings features regular exhibitions.
Dining is excellent here with the Duhau restaurant serving sophisticated Argentinean cuisine in the Palacio building and the Gioia restaurant offering splendid views of the palace and gardens. The Highlights are Afternoon Tea in the elegant salon of the Palacio building and the cheese room which holds an enticing amount to satisfy even most the discerning aficionado.
Hub Porteno is a luxury, boutique hotel with a difference. The Concept is all about the Porteno (local name for Buenos Aires citizens) experience and the whole team works with the guests to ensure that they receive a personalised service and warm welcome. They are on hand at all times to design unique experiences based on each guests tastes and interests.
The rooms are expertly styled with polished hardwood floors, fresh floors and luxurious linens. Our favourites are The Bacan and the Grand Suite with wall to wall windows that overlook the winter garden and its 70-year-old fig tree.
Once again, food is at the heart of this hotel and The Tarquino restaurant is headed up by chef Dante Liporace. Trained at El Bulli by Ferran Adría, he offers classic Argentine dishes with a cutting edge flair.
Hub Porteno is without doubt one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires for its understated style and discreet service and attention to detail.
The Mio is a cool, boutique hotel in the Recoleta in Buenos Aires. Design is an important element of the hotel and this is evident as you enter the building. The 6-metre-high front door is French Oak made from reclaimed wine barrels. This is a theme that runs throughout the hotel with all doors made from old wine barrels and signature baths in the rooms, each carved from different trees.
The rooms vary from Deluxe to a range of suites and the décor is elegant with a mix of crisp linen, hardwood and glass. Each room is warm and intimate with the striking feature bath. Extra touches include a yoga mat and meditation facilities for complete relaxation.
Health and wellness is a key feature at this hotel and the spa is a true reflection of this. The walls and ceiling are covered with a special black stone from San Luis which reflects solar light onto the pool and creates a warm and gentle light for a relaxing urban retreat. Guests can use the juices and natural beverages bar and choose from a range of relaxing treatments for body and mind.
For more information about any of the hotels in this blog or to talk about a trip to Buenos Aires, get in touch with the team at Humboldt Travel.