Buenos Aires and Santiago
Aug 27, 2016, 4:17 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,643
That's a very nice-looking cruise, Larkin, especially as it includes South Georgia. Hopefully the weather will permit landings among the 1000s of penguins but a ship the size of the Quest should also ride those high seas without too much wallowing around. You can't get this sort of experience in a hotel, can you?
Aug 27, 2016, 8:18 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
We ended up staying last year at the FS in BA and the Ritz in Santiago.
FS BA - newly renovated. We had a lovely one bedroom suite overlooking the mansion and pool. I had stayed before on business so asked for that view as quiet and nice. We did not like the lobby renovation at all. We thought quite unattractive. The room was fine, service very good, but we are going back in January and will likely try the PH or we heard the Alvear is renovating their top floor suites and modernizing. We are looking into that as well. Does anyone have information? Stayed there a number of years ago and friends stayed there last year. We checked out their room and no comparison to our suite at FS, but I do love the lobby and location. If they renovate well, I might really like it!
Ritz, Santiago - not great at all. Rooms are very old, dark, and run down IMO. We had great luck with service, especially on concierge floor. Found the hotel depressing however. We are going back to Santiago in December ( going to Antartica). All the boutique hotels we were thinking of are booked - singular, Aubrey. So thinking of grand Hyatt or Starwood luxury San Cristobel Tower. Any comments? I used to stay at grand Hyatt on business but a long time ago, and it is undergoing renovation so makes me nervous. But Ritz was quite poor in my opinion. I'd love ideas or comments!
FS BA - newly renovated. We had a lovely one bedroom suite overlooking the mansion and pool. I had stayed before on business so asked for that view as quiet and nice. We did not like the lobby renovation at all. We thought quite unattractive. The room was fine, service very good, but we are going back in January and will likely try the PH or we heard the Alvear is renovating their top floor suites and modernizing. We are looking into that as well. Does anyone have information? Stayed there a number of years ago and friends stayed there last year. We checked out their room and no comparison to our suite at FS, but I do love the lobby and location. If they renovate well, I might really like it!
Ritz, Santiago - not great at all. Rooms are very old, dark, and run down IMO. We had great luck with service, especially on concierge floor. Found the hotel depressing however. We are going back to Santiago in December ( going to Antartica). All the boutique hotels we were thinking of are booked - singular, Aubrey. So thinking of grand Hyatt or Starwood luxury San Cristobel Tower. Any comments? I used to stay at grand Hyatt on business but a long time ago, and it is undergoing renovation so makes me nervous. But Ritz was quite poor in my opinion. I'd love ideas or comments!
Think the renovations should be done by your stay , the lobby was closed when we were there in January , this is Săo Paulo .
Sorry , we were at Aubrey in Santiago . Liked its quaintness .
Would love to hear about your cruise . We didn't make it to Antarctica , only Falkland Islands ..
Last edited by FlyerEC; Aug 27, 2016 at 8:28 am Reason: Wrong city !
Aug 27, 2016, 10:38 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: amex platinum, american advantage, united, ANA, JAP. SPG, marriott
Posts: 1,257
Aug 29, 2016, 1:58 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
We ended up staying last year at the FS in BA and the Ritz in Santiago.
FS BA - newly renovated. We had a lovely one bedroom suite overlooking the mansion and pool. I had stayed before on business so asked for that view as quiet and nice. We did not like the lobby renovation at all. We thought quite unattractive. The room was fine, service very good, but we are going back in January and will likely try the PH or we heard the Alvear is renovating their top floor suites and modernizing. We are looking into that as well. Does anyone have information? Stayed there a number of years ago and friends stayed there last year. We checked out their room and no comparison to our suite at FS, but I do love the lobby and location. If they renovate well, I might really like it!
Ritz, Santiago - not great at all. Rooms are very old, dark, and run down IMO. We had great luck with service, especially on concierge floor. Found the hotel depressing however. We are going back to Santiago in December ( going to Antartica). All the boutique hotels we were thinking of are booked - singular, Aubrey. So thinking of grand Hyatt or Starwood luxury San Cristobel Tower. Any comments? I used to stay at grand Hyatt on business but a long time ago, and it is undergoing renovation so makes me nervous. But Ritz was quite poor in my opinion. I'd love ideas or comments!
FS BA - newly renovated. We had a lovely one bedroom suite overlooking the mansion and pool. I had stayed before on business so asked for that view as quiet and nice. We did not like the lobby renovation at all. We thought quite unattractive. The room was fine, service very good, but we are going back in January and will likely try the PH or we heard the Alvear is renovating their top floor suites and modernizing. We are looking into that as well. Does anyone have information? Stayed there a number of years ago and friends stayed there last year. We checked out their room and no comparison to our suite at FS, but I do love the lobby and location. If they renovate well, I might really like it!
Ritz, Santiago - not great at all. Rooms are very old, dark, and run down IMO. We had great luck with service, especially on concierge floor. Found the hotel depressing however. We are going back to Santiago in December ( going to Antartica). All the boutique hotels we were thinking of are booked - singular, Aubrey. So thinking of grand Hyatt or Starwood luxury San Cristobel Tower. Any comments? I used to stay at grand Hyatt on business but a long time ago, and it is undergoing renovation so makes me nervous. But Ritz was quite poor in my opinion. I'd love ideas or comments!
Santiago - why not try Cumbres if you are ok with staying in Lastarria ? Around the corner from Singular, and probably even with a Grand Hyatt.
Aug 30, 2016, 8:17 pm
#37
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
I really like the Palermo Soho neighbourhood in BA. In August I stayed at both Legado Mitico and Jardin Escondido. Both are small boutique places which may not be luxury to some on this forum.
I really liked Jardin Escondido and think this would be great in the summer with the courtyard pool and garden. Service was good and very friendly - very typical of a higher end boutique place.
I cannot recommend Legado Mitico. They advertise they are for guests 16yo and above. However, we had a family staying during our visit which had two very noisy (screaming) children who ruined breakfast each morning despite us asking the staff who were seated in reception not far away to ask the parents to control their children and be more respectful. The parents literally let their children run wild in the common areas so we could not relax over breakfast or sit and read in the lounge area. I brought up the 16yo+ age thing and was told they sometimes take bookings on a case-by-case basis. Not good enough – decide what you want to be…! We were comped some of our stay at check-out.
I visited Park Hyatt for drinks – property looks great. I also visited Four Seasons for drinks and dinner – lobby is horrible, but Pony Line and Elena are worth the visit. I find Recoleta a total bore.
As a side comment, I really enjoyed MALBA (there was a Yoko Ono exhibition on when I visited) followed by lunch at Casa Cavia (walking distance from MALBA). The latter is a beautiful place for lunch and the attached boutique perfumery has some very nice scents and candles.
I really liked Jardin Escondido and think this would be great in the summer with the courtyard pool and garden. Service was good and very friendly - very typical of a higher end boutique place.
I cannot recommend Legado Mitico. They advertise they are for guests 16yo and above. However, we had a family staying during our visit which had two very noisy (screaming) children who ruined breakfast each morning despite us asking the staff who were seated in reception not far away to ask the parents to control their children and be more respectful. The parents literally let their children run wild in the common areas so we could not relax over breakfast or sit and read in the lounge area. I brought up the 16yo+ age thing and was told they sometimes take bookings on a case-by-case basis. Not good enough – decide what you want to be…! We were comped some of our stay at check-out.
I visited Park Hyatt for drinks – property looks great. I also visited Four Seasons for drinks and dinner – lobby is horrible, but Pony Line and Elena are worth the visit. I find Recoleta a total bore.
As a side comment, I really enjoyed MALBA (there was a Yoko Ono exhibition on when I visited) followed by lunch at Casa Cavia (walking distance from MALBA). The latter is a beautiful place for lunch and the attached boutique perfumery has some very nice scents and candles.
Aug 31, 2016, 6:02 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
pool was good? dining on request?
I don't like the location of the luxury hotels. The Recoleta area is a total bore (which is a big thing to say re BA). Palermo Soho is fabulous - I could have stayed there for weeks and weeks. There are some cute boutique hotels that look fine. We stayed at a members club.
Aug 31, 2016, 6:08 am
#39
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Recoleta is indeed sleepy -- especially compared to parts of Palermo --- but Recoleta works in regards to being a somewhat safer place when it comes to ordinary street crime.
Aug 31, 2016, 6:26 am
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
The way I look at it: I compare EZE to NYC in the sense that Recoleta is the Upper East Side and Palermo is Soho.
Even though I think Soho has more character than the UES, and by and large is a more 'fun' place to be, I'd much rather lay my head in the UES.
Same for EZE. In my book, Recoleta, despite it's quietness, is a better place to stay. I actually like coming home to a bit of peace and quiet at nite. It feels like an oasis or a respite.
Also, Recoleta has some killer restaurants, all walkable from the Park Hyatt and Alvear.
For those who don't mind a long walk, my wife and I actually walked to Palermo from the Alvear on a few consecutive days. LONG, but you get to see parts of BA you'd normally zip by in a taxi, which we enjoyed.
Aug 31, 2016, 5:41 pm
#41
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
I didn't find Palermo unsafe. We walked around very late at night between bars and restaurants and accommodation.
My problem with BA this time is that it has completely lost its edge with their economic issues. Everything was more expensive and poorer quality. The shopping was terrible - local brands that I liked a couple of years ago were very disappointing. Dining has also increased in price (Tegui was I think around 50% more expensive this year) and drinking was a joke - I paid US$40 maybe for a Hendricks and tonic at the Park Hyatt - I almost spat out my drink when the bartender gave us the bill. The city seems dirty too. That said, there are still some gems - like Casa Cavia.
My problem with BA this time is that it has completely lost its edge with their economic issues. Everything was more expensive and poorer quality. The shopping was terrible - local brands that I liked a couple of years ago were very disappointing. Dining has also increased in price (Tegui was I think around 50% more expensive this year) and drinking was a joke - I paid US$40 maybe for a Hendricks and tonic at the Park Hyatt - I almost spat out my drink when the bartender gave us the bill. The city seems dirty too. That said, there are still some gems - like Casa Cavia.
Aug 31, 2016, 8:34 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,029
Regards
Jun 14, 2018, 6:12 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: san francisco, ca usa
Posts: 124
Seeking Suggestions in EZE and SCL
I am going to both SCL and EZE in December (first timer). Would love any suggestions/advice on hotels, rest etc.
Also, plan on getting from SCL to Califate to go to Patagonia for 3-4 days. Any advice on airlines, flights, and backpacking companies would be awesome.
Also, plan on getting from SCL to Califate to go to Patagonia for 3-4 days. Any advice on airlines, flights, and backpacking companies would be awesome.
Jun 14, 2018, 7:38 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
We had an enjoyable overnight in Aubrey , SCL . This was in Jan ‘ 16 .
Our friends stayed elsewhere , one of the ones mentioned in this forum .
Wonderful stay in PH new tower corner room / suite in December ‘ 15 . In EZE
You should “ research “ this & search some other threads here !
Buenos Aires and Santiago
Our friends stayed elsewhere , one of the ones mentioned in this forum .
Wonderful stay in PH new tower corner room / suite in December ‘ 15 . In EZE
You should “ research “ this & search some other threads here !
Buenos Aires and Santiago
Last edited by FlyerEC; Jun 14, 2018 at 7:48 pm Reason: Add information