Alvear Palace

9 years ago I stayed at the Alvear Palace for a few nights. Pricey, but a very nice hotel with wonderful service.

Has anyone stayed there recently?

Sshooter

Most of us here cannot afford to even walk by the A. Palace.

Funny you mention that.

I needed to have a plan "B" in effect this trip encase my apt rental did not work out.

I called the Aloi Suites and the Alvear. Both very spendy ($200+ per night) over the phone the Aloi was OK bringing guests back, the Alvear had a check in policy.

I ended up happy in my apartment in the end.

Good news, by the way with the tourist business down you will see more deals for short term rentals and I think even hotels will eventually lower prices.

[QUOTE=Thomaso276]I think even hotels will eventually lower prices.[/QUOTE]I doubt it Tom. I have been in the industry for years and I have only seen the prices going up.

[QUOTE=Aqualung]I doubt it Tom. I have been in the industry for years and I have only seen the prices going up.[/QUOTE]I have to agree with OWB (Old Welsh Bastard) especially when speaking of hotels like the Alvear. They can't afford the loss of prestige that comes with lowering their prices though I would bet you could negotiate directly some better rates. But as far as published prices forget it.

I stay at the Alvear whenever in Buenos Aires, basically a couple of times a year for the past 10 years or so. Although they will not officially lower their published rates, it is not impossible to get a corporate rate, which comes at a substantial discount (about US$250 versus US$400 for the least expensive room the last time I was there)

Where it gets really interesting, is when you can get upgrades once they know you and tip the right persons. I have been the recipient of a large 1 bedroom suite - living room, 2 bathrooms, lots of closets, etc. - for the price of their least expensive room.

I disagree that there is a check-in policy when it comes to chicas: as long as you are well dressed you can get past security with anyone you wish at any time. A smile and a warm salute will be enough if it looks like you belong.

Like I said thats what I was told over the phone concerning bringing guests into the room. In reality a nice tip to the doorman will open many doors in many places.

The price they quoted me for 13 days in a smaller suite was U$D 290 a night. The Loi was 265$ and I know other mongers who have ran many of chicas in and out of that place.

This morning in the Clarin: tourist visits down 8% (according to EZE arrivals) and once they are here they are spending 26% less daily. Vendors in San Telmo complaining that everyone wants to bargain for their overpriced junk instead of just paying thir price. They complained that it used to be only Brasil and S. America visitors who bargained. I think the tourist business is in for a big hit - look at how many mongers have gone to other countries in the past year and not visited BA.

Understanding that members here are sharper than most about pricing in BA and have have experience watching these prices rise, the average tourist probably thinks this is a great place to visit, especially first timers. But sticker shock will carry back with them to Europe and North America. They may realize that with the cost of travel it is not so great and their recently lowered Euros and lowered pricing have more value at home. I do not think many Americans will be traveling over the next year or so of hard economic times.

Dollar will be 3.8 by Oct. And 4 for 1 in Jan. 2010 according to papers last week.

[QUOTE=Thomaso276]This morning in the Clarin: tourist visits down 8% (according to EZE arrivals) and once they are here they are spending 26% less daily. Vendors in San Telmo complaining that everyone wants to bargain for their overpriced junk instead of just paying thir price. They complained that it used to be only Brasil and S. America visitors who bargained. I think the tourist business is in for a big hit - look at how many mongers have gone to other countries in the past year and not visited BA.

Understanding that members here are sharper than most about pricing in BA and have have experience watching these prices rise, the average tourist probably thinks this is a great place to visit, especially first timers. But sticker shock will carry back with them to Europe and North America. They may realize that with the cost of travel it is not so great and their recently lowered Euros and lowered pricing have more value at home. I do not think many Americans will be traveling over the next year or so of hard economic times.

Dollar will be 3.8 by Oct. And 4 for 1 in Jan. 2010 according to papers last week.[/QUOTE]Baised on this, Gysell would be wise to leave her "promotions" in place and not take the chance of raising prices.

Exon

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]I have to agree with OWB (Old Welsh Bastard) especially when speaking of hotels like the Alvear. They can't afford the loss of prestige that comes with lowering their prices though I would bet you could negotiate directly some better rates. But as far as published prices forget it.[/QUOTE]Hey, I'm not old!

All hotels have quite a wide range of prices and depending on how much volume you have as an operator the rate can be substantially lower than the front desk prices.

Of course, most operators keep a part of this difference as their profit. A good way to make reservations at any hotel if you don't have a travel agent is through UTell or similar.

As to hotels lowering their prices, they keep similar prices to other big cities in the World so if a similar hotel in New York keeps its prices up so will the BA hotels! No matter if they close with 15% at night! And after all, most of the hotels make their money from the laundry business and not from tourism!

And as to exchange rates, I think it will be 4 to 1 long before the end of the year and probably nearer to 5 to 1 by then.

3 years or so ago when I first arrived in BsAs, I stayed at the Alvear for a bit over a month while I scouted out the town and rented a long term apartment.

I didn't ask for or get a lower rate, but after my initial week was up and I told them I was debating booking for another 4 weeks so I could hunt for an apartment at my leisure, they offered to keep me in my suite for the price of a standard room, in effect a free upgrade. That was back in Dec. 2005/ Jan 2006 so maybe in the non-summer tourist season they could do deals for long term stays, who knows.

After moving out to an apartment, I still ate breakfast at the Alvear at least 2-3x a week for the next 2.5 years before moving on. I've been back twice in the last year for a week stay each time and I just paid sticker price, didn't ask for or receive a price cut, but they did remember me. I've gotten to like the privacy of my own apartment so whenever I'm back for more than a week I've rented an apartment but for a week or less I like the Alvear over one of the american or euro chains.

Bringing back chicas - the first 5 week stay I was there, I exclusively came back with girls from Blacks and Madahos, not knowing any better or other places around BsAs until I found this board later on. Since the doorman himself personally walked me over to Blacks when I asked him where someone might go to grab a drink and meet a few friendly ladies, I didn't figure there would be a problem bringing a chica back from there. Later on, I realized of course his walking me over there had less to do with good hotel hospitality and service than getting whatever his referral cut is like the taxi guys get when they drop you at a club. Long as the chica is dressed and looks respectable the polite fiction seems to be you're just bringing up a "date" for a few drinks in your room.

Since then, including my last trip a few months ago over Xmas, all I get is a wink and a nod from the doorman or staff when I bring someone back.

Apart from their stately rooms which is nice for those who can afford it, the other plus side to Alvear Palace is their top notch (by Argentine standards) breakfast spread. Once in awhile (more like once a year) I treat myself to a good breakfast at this hotel.

I read somewhere that if you tip the right people at this hotel, you can get introduced to local celebrities (very well known models, actresses) that work as escorts. Can anyone verify this?

[QUOTE=Juanchi Perez]I read somewhere that if you tip the right people at this hotel, you can get introduced to local celebrities (very well known models, actresses) that work as escorts. Can anyone verify this?[/QUOTE]Rumor has it that if you tip at the (enter 5+ star hotel name here) they will give you a book of the A-list whores in Bs As.

I know I read the posts regarding this issue, however, I must admit that whatever the info contained therein was enough to make me forget it.

[QUOTE=Wild Walleye]Rumor has it that if you tip at the (enter 5+ star hotel name here) they will give you a book of the A-list whores in Bs As. [/QUOTE]Back in 2004 I was told exactly this story by a bell boy at the 5 star hotel in question where I stayed, never verified it, but it sounded serious at the time.

(Sorry about the deleted name, but I wish to ask Jax if it is Kosher to name names in the forum when we talk about rumours)

The Alvear is a classic BA 5 Star. The first beating you'll take will be room rate. I do recommend tipping the doormen though so they can direct you to Black where you'll take a real drubbing.;) The Sunday brunch is elegant, the food so so.

[QUOTE=HairBalderman]The Alvear is a classic BA 5 Star. The first beating you'll take will be room rate. I do recommend tipping the doormen though so they can direct you to Black where you'll take a real drubbing.;) The Sunday brunch is elegant, the food so so.[/QUOTE]You'll also get an extra, daily charge for internet.