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BsAs hotels rated
I have stayed in 3 hotels in Buenos Aires, listed here in order of preference: Art Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Claridge.
Art Suites. I have stayed here twice, once in late November of last year (3 weeks), and for 10 days in August, 2002. The current rate is $55 for stays of 10 days, if you pay in cash. With tax, $66.45 per day. You will need to book direct for this rate. [url]www.artsuites.com.ar[/url]
My first time in this hotel, they moved me to a two-bedroom suite because I was with them for three weeks. Two bedroom suites are more than double the size of one bedroom suites...nicer living area, kitchen, views, etc....
The one bedroom suites are located in the rear. I was dissatisfied with the first suite they assigned me, so they moved me to the top floor (9). Much nicer, but still kind of small for a one bedroom.
The apartments are almost new, with plastic/hardwood floors...great beds....clean bathroom...friendly staff...free use of internet in the office. Never a problem with chicas, although I have read in posts here and on another site that this policy may change as the place has been overrun with mongers. This is basically a small, family run aparthotel...
On the downside, breakfast is very small...no cell phone rental...
Location is a blessing or a curse, depending upon your perspective. I like the neighborhood feel of being in a residential area. I can get out and explore....I like meeting people as they go about their dailey routine...in grocery stores, sitting on bench in one of the plazas, etc....But if you want to be in the center of the action, try the Etoile in the heart of Recoleta.....If Etoile is the heart, Art Suites would be the knee cap of Recoleta, 4-5 blocks away from Solid Gold and PlayWomen....
Holiday Inn Express, Puerto Madero. A downtown hotel, at the corner of Cordoba/Alem....about two or three blocks from Cutty Sark or Cafe Orleans. Nice, almost new hotel, king size beds, free breakfast and local calls. Free internet. Rate: $66USD, plus tax. Listed on some sites as a 2 star hotel, on others as a 4 star....
There is no restaurant on premises, but they have a deal with several area restaurants to provide room-delivery at a discount....this is an improvement over a typical holiday Inn restaurant..I ordered some wonderful meals from an Italian restaurant in Puerto Madero for very reasonable prices. Very chica friendly....Girls do not need to register, but will be required to leave id at the front desk...
downside...no frig in the room...rooms tend to be small....
Claridge. Downtown, 1/2block from Florida ped. mall....hmmm....what to say about Claridge......Great facade, clearly 5 star.....don't be misled....my room was 3 star at best...smallish, in need of a change of carpet....room service food not very good....breakfast buffet adequate, but not 5 star quality....Still, I got a great rate from buenosaires.com (50USD per night, tax included), staff were very friendly, no problem with chicas, and they provide cell phones for a very reasonable rate.
I have read other posts about the Castelar....Another historic hotel that my favorita says is chica friendly and which is closer to the action is Lancaster, on the corner of Reconquista and Cordoba.....Rates about the same as Castelar, maybe two or three dollars per night more expensive....
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Ezy,
Welcome to the board! Guys....you're lucky to have someone like Ezy on this board. He is actually one of the guys that got me interested in BA in the first place. I'm a rookie and he is the master when it comes to BA.
Ezy went to BA before the devaluation of the peso so he can tell you first hand how lucky we all are. These wonderful chicas were probably a value even before the devaluation but now they are a steal! Also, you'll go for the girls but you'll fall in love with the city.
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just back from b.a.
stayed 3 nights at the art suites. i loved the place. staff was so damn friendly!! the rooms are very nice, new. the beds are awesome. and totally girl friendly (for now)!! channel 98 on the tv is the camera in the lobby, so you can see your guest before they come up. this came in handy when one internet girl i hosted brought her friend. i didn't know until my girl was already in my apt, and she says 'my friend is in the lobby, want 2?' i looked on the tv to make my choice, and then we called the lobby.
from 7a-7p there is no one in the lobby, so it's totally like an apt scene (vs. a hotel scene).
totally in a residencial area, as i too like to walk about and talk to locals, drop into local stores, etc. there's a great coto grocery (hypermarket actually) 1.5 blks down french st (going left from hotel).
IF ANYONE LEARNS OF A GIRL-FRIENDLY POLICY CHANGE FOR ART SUITES LET'S SEE A POST PLEASE!
as this is certainly my 1st choice for hotel in b.a.
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>ART SUITEES IS) totally in a residencial area, as i too like to walk about and talk to locals, drop into local stores, etc. there's a great coto grocery (hypermarket actually) 1.5 blks down french st (going left from hotel).
I guess the big debate re: reasonablty priced hotels in Recoleta
comes down to the Etoile and Art Suites.
From reading the posts the price seems more or less the same at booth ....around $60 USD including tax, right?
Art Suites has better bedsl, a more personal "family" staff and better design but Etoile is located in hobby central - playwoman, blacks, etc and has a fitness center (swimming pool?).
How 'bout internet access in your HOTEL ROOM.
Art Suites claims a DSL connection. Can you get internet in my room at Etoile?
This is a deal breaker for me in deciding on what hotel to stay, as I need to be able to work on the net while I am away.
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Design suites---
Girl friendly?
How is the location compare to art suites and etoile?
gracias
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by jordanf
[i]Design suites---
Girl friendly?
How is the location compare to art suites and etoile?
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Let's focus this discussion on the hotels
Art Suites
Design Suites
Etoile
What are the rates on the respective hotels mentioned above?
What is the internet access in the rooms? DSL, Dial-up?
Girl Friendly?
Location?
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guys, go back and read previous pages here, before asking questions...
my research (in jul/aug) for my trip (in aug) revealed the following (may need updating):
etoile
i've stayed here before, i like it (so i'm providing
1st hand knowledge
best location for a hobbiest, dead center in action
rooms about us$30-40/night, suites slightly more
girl friendly but requires registration
maybe only 1 girl at a time? don't personally know
many here complain about uncomfortable beds - i didn't
have an issue with mine
friendly staff
can't comment re: internet access
art suites
chose them for aug/sep trip, loved the place
very friendly, totally girlfriend friendly, but rumor is this
is about to change - monitor updates here!
rooms are new and awesome
free internet in office, if you bring a computer they have
tech to provide high speed access in room
only 5 blks from vte. lopez, the street at the south border
of the cemetary - so while not dead center, it's location
is ideal if you like being a few blks from the seedy stuff,
and in the center of a truely residential area
about $60/night for a 2 rm apt
design suites
i haven't been here
read here that it's only 9 blks away from art suites, which
puts it near corrientes or santa fe, which are local shopping
and theatre areas, and only a taxi away
about same price at art, maybe $70/night?
all these places have web sites, check it out.
read here that rooms are nicer than either art or etoile
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Leo is pretty much on the money. Since I've been to all three I'll try to accurately compare the three. There are lots of options in BA besides these three so don't feel like you have to get locked into just these.
One thing I'll point out is to always be discreet. Or as discreet as you can be. Whether these apartments/hotels like it or not, it's a fact that a bunch of guys are going to Buenos Aires and by coincidence we are spending quality time with some of their beautiful women.
Etoile: As everyone has pointed out, the location doesn't get much better. Excellent staff, DIPLOMATIC suites are ok but the Executive room i was in had the worst decor. My wallpaper was this almost florescent jibberish that gave me a headache to look at. I have photos so maybe I'll post a link to them so you can see what I mean. The rates are good here but there have been serious issues with some of the beds. I know several guys that couldn't sleep in those beds. (Me included). As far as phone system there is no voicemail and I didn't see any internet connection and would say 99.9% chance there is none.
Art Suites: Very, very nice. I loved my room. The staff was good (what little I dealt with them). I only talked to them when I checked in, checked out. I only checked email once from their room. Internet connections are available. I did hear from my travel agent they do NOT want hobbyist staying in their hotel. They went as far as saying that they were going to soon change the policy to only allow registered guests to come up to the rooms. I emailed them over a week ago telling them I had a great stay and were impressed with everything. My travel agent also did the same thing. They ignored both emails. They never emailed me back. I asked point blank if they were going to change their guest policy or what it even was.
In my opinion, I think they are ignoring emails asking about this because they are not sure what they are going to do. On one hand they are getting all this business (mostly Cash) from us nice Americans. On the other hand they want a family environment. I would estimate 50% of their business right now is us dudes. That's a lot of business to pass up. But they are doing a huge disservice to themselves and their customers by not addressing the question at hand. I believe sooner or later they will have to answer the question about what their official guest policy is. For now, I'm not booking there and I would seriously reconsider staying in a place where they have let it be known they don't like how/when/who you spend your free time with.
JMHO.
Design Suites: I took a look at the rooms here. Great place. Granted it's not in Recoleta but technically...either is Art Suites. It's about a 9 block walk to Art Suites. Probably closer to the main Recoleta restaurants. I walked it just to see how far it is but I'd always just jump in a taxi.
This is more like a hotel. There is a front desk, people at the front desk, guys to take up your bags, a small restaurant on the way up where you can order food. The rooms are smaller here than at Art Suites. The smaller rooms just have one room with the bed and a chair. The bigger rooms are much more spacious but I wouldn't need two rooms. It is very contemporary and warmer than the websites would make it appear. I liked this place and I'm looking forward to staying here. I haven't heard of any guys having problems with their "guests".
Guys, I will tell all of you to use your common sense. Don't act like the "ugly American". Be friendly and courteous with everyone. Don't be a tightwad. I always tipped the guys at the Etoile when girls sign in. It's not necessary to always do it but it will make them feel better. After all, look at it from their perspective. They are working hard and making almost nothing. You come to their country and get to be with their women. Be friendly with them. Give them a few bucks here and there. When I checked out at the Etoile at the end of my stay I also gave the 3 guys standing around a 100 peso note tip. I also tipped the doormen at night at Art Suites too and they were always friendly with me.
It's especially good if you plan on going back to Buenos Aires. These people will remember you and remember you're a nice guy. But be a nice guy just for the sake of being a nice guy.......
I'm out...
Saint
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saint, perhaps it pays to re-submit your request on the guest policy at Art Suites by addressing the letter to both managers...Lucia the Mom and Lupa the daughter. The personal touch always helps and we need this place because as you know we were free to roam there no questions asked...yabba
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Yabba,
I did that. Coincidentally, less than 12 hours after posting my post I get an email back from them. (I wonder if they check out the board...LOL). Here is what they wrote:
"Dear "Saint",
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Art Suites. We are sorry for the delay in responding you, it has been a very busy few weeks.
With regards to our Guest Policy, we would like you to know that it has not changed. We are a small hotel with long-term guests who consider it their "home" in Buenos Aires. Our guests value their privacy and security in a very discrete setting. Based on past experience, we find that it is difficult to keep track of guests when they bring too many unannounced visitors.
If you have any further inquiries with regards to this policy, please feel free to let us know. We hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards"
I guess their official stance is that their leaving their policy the same for now. But then they do state in it they find it difficult to keep track of guests when they bring in too many 'unannounced visitors' (i.e. chicas). If you read between the lines I think you can see she is basically saying that they are keeping their policy the same but they dont' really want to.
Like I guessed before, this is just simply too much business to pass up at a time when the economy is struggling. Kudos to them for keeping it the same. I would just ask all of you to be discreet as possible so they don't change the policy. I originally booked Design Suites for December trip but I might stay here again. I'll see how Design Suites is in November.
Good luck all.
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by saint
[i]Yabba,
(I wonder if they [Art Suites proprietor]check out the board...LOL).
[/quote]
What I wonder is whether any of our female "friends" read this board:-)
That's a funny idea indeed!!!
[blue]I'm sure that they do, as well as the club owners. That's why I'm going to start a private, invitation-only forum for BA regulars. That will allow us to post high quality info that will only be seen by a few dozen carefully selected individuals who all are all strong posters themselves. Look for a notice sometime in the middle of October.
Jackson[/blue]
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OK.. I just got off the an hour long phone call with my travel agent in Buenos Aires. It turns out she met with one of the owners of Art Suites today. I guess during the meeting the owner points out that she got a nice email from me and they were getting ready to answer it today. (surprise, surprise).
Then the owner says how they were going to back track on the policy. I really think they are feeling the pinch of what they were doing. Good or bad this and other boards really influence where guys go, where they stay and who they see.
The owner goes on to tell Mayri how some guys are slobs, indiscreet and just plain rude. Guys use your heads when staying at ANY hotel or apartment. She was telling her about guys that were using their computer in their lobby and looking at sites like Platynum, Area-Vip, etc. She said that sometimes they would do this in front of her or other female workers of the hotel. She said that one time a female guest of the hotel came in and saw the guy looking at this site. Guys use your heads!! Would you look at this site in front of your wife, mother or daughter. Have some respect. There are plenty of internet cafes in the area. Don't use their private computer for this stuff. Also, she said some dudes were coming in to use the computer barefoot.
She asked my travel agent to go ahead and start booking but did ask not to book too many guys at once. Keep in mind that places like Art Suites are smaller. They only have something like 40 rooms. Can you imagine if 10+ of those 40 guys are hobbyist?
The owner called Mayri after getting my email asking for all my travel information and days I'm gonna be in Buenos Aires. Before I switch I want to see if the policy changes yet again.
Jackson, nothing for nothing (and I could be totally wrong) but it may be a good idea to remove the links to some of those hotels from the links section. I could be wrong. Also, I think you guys need to start exploring other options. If we always all stay at the same 3 hotels/apartments it could cause problems like this in the future. Lots of choices in Buenos Aires. The problem with the general active hobbyist is that he is by nature gonna stay at a place where it is chica friendly. So once one is known...everyone and their brother stays there. I plan on mixing it up whenever I can.
I do think that the odds of chicas reading this board are slim. Most of these girls can't speak any English let alone read it. Most people in Argentina can't speak/understand ANY English. I do think a private invitee section may be beneficial for the guys going down to BA often. Fortunately/unfortunately depending on how you look at it....most of the guys reading this board will never make it down there. They live their hobby lives vicariously through WSG. I'm not saying that's wrong.....
P.S. She also told Mayri that she hasn't had problems with any of the guests that she has booked for so that made me feel good. All the guys I've met have been gentlemen.
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Saint: I think you are right about guys not wanting hassles. So when one guy says " I stayed in X hotel and had no problems," the next 57 guys going to BA stay in the same place. You are also right that it is good to try different places rather than overwhelming the few places mentioned on this or other sites. The fact is, the majority of hotels in BA are chica friendly.
I have spoken several times with Adriana, Webmistress for escorts-argentina, Platynum, etc. about this subject...She has told me emphatically that almost all BA hotels are chica friendly IF you register for a double rather than a single rate....
RE: Art Suites and the problems you identify. This is not a hotel for everyone.....some guys need a hotel that allows you to walk into the office area bare footed, plop down in front of a computer screen that can easily be seen by other guests and hotel emloyees and log into Platynum or other more graphic sites...please, if you are this kind of guy....stay elsewhere....
This is a great hotel for a guy with some degree of class...a guy who can be discrete.....this is not meant to criticize those who believe that since they are paying customers they don't need to be discrete....there's a hotel for you too....but it aint Art Suites....
The first time I stayed there I met members of a wedding party in town for the marriage of a relative, a couple from Ecuador who traveled regularly to Argentina to watch the opera and who owned property in Miami, an architect, etc....in short, upper middle class family oriented sophisticated people who enjoyed the idea of staying in a small botique hotel with personal attention and service....guys with bare feet and bimbos on both arms trapsing through the office don't do much for this image....
[blue]Well said, Ezy! I've stayed at Art Suites three times in the past year, including a week in the first part of July. I like the quiet neighborhood, the newness of the building, the room sizes, and the modern design. While I've never revealed my position as the owner of the WSG, I've spoken several times with the ladies who run the place, and it doesn't take a PHD to figure out quickly that discression in one's monger activities is appropriate here. I suspect that guests who carry themselves as gentlemen will always be welcome.
Jackson[/blue]
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Saint & Ezy, You are right about slobs. Last year, I and a chica went to see a Tango show, and the van that picked us up, also picked up a large group from Art Suites, they were extended family from Barcelona staying in AS because of the convenience. of the apt. vs hotel :)
