2002-2004 WSG Reports

Dickhead,

Thanks for the scouting report. Looks like a pass on Gran Hotel Argentino.

Hi Guys,

Just thought I'd offer a brief report on the Four Seasons, formerly the Hyatt. Five blocks frrom Blacks, and close to almost everything you might need or want. They have a very nice bar, a great place to enjoy a scotch and a cuban cigar.

Like almost all Four Seasons, their trademark is service; you want something, just ask and chances are they will deliver.

Got a great 1 bedroom king suite, with a sitting room, dining table for 4, good size work desk and a bathroom with separate shower as well as a jacuzzi tub for 2. I got a good rate, 3 nights for the price of two, about $1100 including taxes, with Mayra's help. Included was round-trip transportation from the airport, breakfast each day and a couple of other things I didn't use.

They also offer wireless, high-speed internet access in the room at $10/day, very convienent.

As far as the ladies, the must sign in downstairs, but just let one of the doorman know who's coming and he will take care of it and escort the lady to your room.

For those of you on an expense account, I think it's the best in town. It isn't for everyone, but you only live once, so live a little guys and treat yourself right every once in awhile. Of course, you may disagree, but hey, to each, his own.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lotsafun
[i]I've stayed in one of the Diplomatic Suites at the Etoile .......you get a 900 sq. ft. suite with Whirlpool tub, three rooms, a "Central park" type view, with Swimming pool for, at the time, $65 a night? ....... [/i][/QUOTE]
With the exchange rate @2.7 Peso per dollar during June, it was more like $90 a night inclusive of all taxes. This is my favorite place to stay in Recoleta, not only because of its location but mainly because of the avaiability of the Jacuzi in the Diplomatic Suite (other suites at Etoile don't have this). It can accommodate 3 persons easily and that's speaking from experience. Chicas love it.

Bandy

Yankee Trader,

You're absolutely right. The Four Seasons is one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires. It's perfect for those that are in BA for business and their companies are paying for their stays. For all others it probably doesn't make sense. It along with the Alvear Palace are the two poshest hotels in BA, IMHO. Both are not cheap though. Also, although as you mentioned the door men can arrange a relatively hassleless trip for the chica to come to your room, you do have to be discreet and it helps to arrange it ahead of time. I know some guys that stayed here and they always had to grease the front doormen pretty good. I was in Buenos Aires when they had the South American Summit and this is the hotel that Fidel Castro and many of the presidents of the South American countries stayed.

This hotel is right around the corner from my apartment so I can vouch for how great the location is. It's nice to hear reports about the cheap and the expensive places in BA.

Have fun all.

Could anyone offer any updated comments on the Hilton? The only entry I read on the forum was a brief one on November 2002.

Thanks to all in advance.

Has anyone stayed at the BEST WESTERN COMFORT HOTEL on Viamonte or the SARMIENTO PALACE HOTEL. Both are in the $25 range and I was wondering if they are guest friendly.

I stayed at the Murano last weekend as suggested by Mayra. It's a nice, new hotel located on Carlos Pellegrini right by Cafe Excedra. The staff was friendly and the rooms were good sized. A standard room with a view of Av 9 de Julio as U$ 83 including breakfast and a free high speed Internet connection. I had a 2 room suite with a balcony for U$ 135. There was a problem with the reservation when we checked in (they had me down for a regular room) but a quick phone call to Mayra and things got fixed in a hurry. I'd rate it somewhere between a Marriott and a Hyatt in the U.S.

Girls has to register and they wouldn't let me take two up at once but other than that, no problems.

Arranged an escorted trip to the football game on Sunday through the hotel. That was an interesting experience and I recommend it.

I was quite happy with the work that Mayra did and highly recommend using her for your travel arrangements.

As an aside, I stayed at four hotels in South America and all four had free high speed Internet access. US hotels are getting their butts kicked in this area.

I'm making my first visit to BA in January for nine nights. I'd appreciate some help from the experienced BA crowd as I try to decide whether to stay in an apartment vs. a hotel.

In Moscow, an apartment makes the hobby much easier because of the strict security in many of the hotels. Plus, the hotels are much more expensive.

I have located a girl-friendly hotel that I thought was reasonably priced, UNTIL I realized how inexpensive the apartments are.

So, if anyone out there has some insight into this situation I would appreciate your thoughts.

CA traveler,

Sir Jackson has the best apt in town...Check his website..

Have fun,
MRLA

CA Traveler.....

Apartments have advantages and disadvantages....

Advantages....cost per day is generally much lower than for a hotel. Space....usually an apartment lets you spread out more....Kitchen....you can store things in your refrigerator and cook, if only in your microwave.....

Disadvantatages...daily maid service generally is not included....no breakfast buffet....no restaurant or room service....and the other ammenties associated with a hotel....security deposits are sometimes required and a bit of a hassle....cancellations can create more problems than with a hotel....etc....

The issue of chica friendliness is a wash....most hotels in BA are chica friendly, especially if you register as a double.

Personally, I prefer apartments or aparthotels such as Art Suites over a hotel....and I would say that if you have a fair command of Spanish, the advantages of an apartment outweigh the disadvantages.....but it depends on what you want...more space/lowercost or more services/fewer hassles....

A word to the wise....whichever you choose, get a place with good air conditioning...BA is warm and humid in January.....

MGB, thanks for the thoughtful response.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Let me know if you ever need help in EE or Russia!

ArtSuites offers the best of both sides - an apartment with daily maid service, front desk type service for check in/out, coffee/juice/danish delivered to your room each day, and no weekly security deposit.

Plus, it's in great location (Azcuenega & Frech/Juncal) in a residential neighborhood that will make you feel like your a local (the opposite of staying at the Etoile).

So for those looking for this type of stay, it's perfect.

Hello everyone,

Has anyone any info. on this hotel:

Embajador / Carlos Pelegrini 1181/85
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Located in the 9 de Julio Av., known as the widest avenue in the world. Close to the elegant Santa Fe Avenue.

How close/far is it from the main action and other stuff?

Any info. would be highly apreciated.

Thanks.

Anyone know about these two?

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Has anyone stayed at the BEST WESTERN COMFORT HOTEL on Viamonte or the SARMIENTO PALACE HOTEL. Both are in the $25 range and I was wondering if they are guest friendly.
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I have a tentative res at the BW

I stayed at two hotels while in BA two weeks ago. Crowne Plaza at Pedestrian Street Lavelle and Carlos Pelligrini and the famous Etoile in Recoleta. I am surprised there isn't more talk about Crowne Plaza here. Its an excellent hotel with good service and good rooms. The Crowne website frequently runs specials. I booked my room through their website and the rate was US $79 per night including a good, free breakfast buffet. Crowne is very well located to the downtown clubs and cafes. I had a nice view of the Obelsik from my room window.

Its hard to add much new info about Hotel Etoile for this group. Thanks to Mayra for booking this hotel for me at a rate of 198p/night for their Diplomat Suite. I would not hesitate to use her services in the future. I was wary of staying here because most reviews indicated the place was well worn. It is indeed well worn. But the Diplomatic suite is very, very large imho. Every girl I brought to the the room was very impressed with the room. I had a great time with one girl my last night in the large jacuzzi tub. My room had a balcony overlooking the Cemetary entrance. This view has to be the best in BA. The downside to being on the cemetary side of the hotel is the noise from the bars and restaurants below. Since I always went to bed at about 5AM this wasn't a problem for me. I only had a few gripes about this hotel. First is the fact that taxis have trouble finding it. I had the desk clerk write directions on their business card to alleviate this problem. The second issue involved their electrical plugs. I didn't have any adaptors that fit their electrical outlets. Their outlets required a different adaptor than hte BA Crowne Plaza. Fortunately the hotel sent someone out to buy an adaptor for me. I wound up paying about 6p for the adaptor. The bed room section of the suite was rather small but the bed and pillows were confortable for me. I would stay at this hotel again due to its central location in Recoleta and the large size of the Diplomat suite. I did not look at any regular rooms so I can't comment on them.