I have just completed two separate stays at the new (opened last Summer) Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires and I am happy to report that this is an exceptional hotel worthy of comparison with it’s sister Park Hyatts in Milan, Paris Vendome and Sydney.

The hotel is located in the “fashionable” Recoleta district of Buenos Aires, and comprises the original (but renovated) Duhau family mansion (Palacio) with 23 rooms and suites (built in 1934) and located on Alvear Avenida next door to the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio: and the new 17 floor Posadas Tower located behind the mansion on Av. Posadas with 142 rooms and suites. The hotel can be entered from both Alvear and Posadas entrances and reception facilities are provided at both.

The garage is entered from Avenida Posadas

The two buildings are separated by beautiful lawns and landscaped gardens and an interesting tiered waterfall. The buildings are connected by underground passages and galleries displaying many works of art.

On my first stay I arrived at the Posadas entrance and the reception and check-in procedures were the most professional that I have experienced in any hotel. My Diamond status was immediately acknowledged and the elite benefits (breakfast, welcome amenity, etc.) were explained. I was upgraded to an outstanding Park Deluxe Suite in the Posadas Tower. I was accompanied to my suite where the various features (HDTV flat screen TV; DVD player; dual line phones, personal safe large enough for a lap-top; high speed internet; A/C; etc., etc.) were explained. An offer was made to unpack my suite case and it was also explained that the hotel offered complimentary pressing of two garments.

On my second stay I arrived at the Alvear entrance and requested that I be given a room in the original mansion. The reception and check-in was just as professional as my earlier experience and I was upgraded to Park Deluxe Twin room, with a balcony/patio overlooking the gardens and waterfall. This room was obviously one of the original bedrooms of the mansion, and it had the original carved oak wood paneling and floors, an antique chandelier and an antique desk. There was also an open wood fireplace, a free standing marble bath, a rain shower, a chaise lounge and the same modern equipment as my room in the tower.

The facilities of the hotel were also impressive. The public rooms were both magnificent and comfortable and the hotel has an indoor heated 25 m swimming pool. There were several restaurants but as breakfast was the only meal that I had at the hotel, I cannot offer comments on the food or service. The breakfast that I had in the Gioia Restaurant the Posadas building was buffet style and while adequate, was by no means memorable being on a par with Milan but in no way comparable to Sydney or Paris Vendome. The breakfast that I had in the Piano Nobile Salon located in the Palacio (a la carte) was a disappointment.

During my stays I was frequently greeted by name and the overall level of service was (with one exception at a breakfast) much higher than I expected

The hotel does have one minor problem that should be addressed, and that is the very complex light switches. These are no the simple on/off type but rater a delayed dimming type – and there are no labels so it takes some time to work out which switch operates what (curtains, bed light, reading light, desk light, etc.)

A taxi from the international airport will cost ARS 69 (about $22) and depending upon the time of day, the trip can take between 35-50 minutes. My corporate rate was $260 plus 21%,