Buenos Aires is awfully hot in February and fairly humid. I prefer going to the beach at that time of the year and/or heading to some place cooler.

The location isn't bad, per say. You are within a couple of block to Calle Florida with all its shops and walking, good place to get a snack/refreshment while you're at it....restaurants; not really any good ones, some okay ones and fast food/pizza/cafe places for a sandwich. I know there are ATMs at the end of Calle Florida just before the San Martin Plaza, but there's probably one in that hotel too.

Just a word of caution, from experience (not at this hotel, though, but in general)....the hotel pictures are a lot nicer than the hotel itself is going to be. It will be clean and reasonably decorated, but I'm just saying that the pictures probably make it seem a whole lot nicer than the reality will be. For the rates they want, I'd suggest the Claridge http://www.claridge.com.ar/ What you see on the site is pretty much what you get, although it's still not quite as exclusive and luxurious as their website would make out. Still it's a nice place, with good food, tastefully appointed and updated rooms, and closer to Calle Florida and also some good local hangouts in that area. Don't pay attention to the rates on their site (unless they're offering $95). Just email them and tell them that you are looking for a room for that much and they'll usually have one.

Just to give you an example, check out http://www.southtravels.com/america/...a/dolmenhotel/ Looks pretty similar to the one you've picked right (and it's pretty close, actually)? Well, the room(s) had dirty/stringy carpets, were musty, had very worn couches (and nothing else) in the foyer, and the place in general was lackluster. The service was so-so, but the staff were nevertheless friendly. Food was Denny's quality. The photos really exaggerated it. But, I should also say, that in general, I prefer the Crowne Plaza (for the pts also) with the exception of the Claridge when I can get it for ~$95...just more to my liking/taste and after getting burned at the Dolmen, I don't really experiment much anymore.

Is this something specific to this hotel? Or is this something that you think is likely to be the case with others too?

You can always try it with others...never hurts to ask. Probably won't work with Crowne Plaza but you can just book your best rate on their site, but they are more in the $180 range unless you want a view of a building one alley width across from you, so beware the $100 rooms you may find...you won't be overlooking Avenia 9 de Julio, and it would be a shame to stay there without that!

Generally, like I said, the Claridge will accommodate you at that rate unless it's a holiday or otherwise a really busy time. All in all, it's an excellent hotel for that rate, great staff, very good food in-room and at their restaurant Full buffet breakfast (American, Continental, and European) is included in that also! The rate ($99 or $95) is on their site right now as a "promotion" but in fact they almost always have this promotion running...

http://www.claridge.com.ar/CH_HotDeals_.htm

Thanks to this thread, I got motivated to get a hotel booked in Buenos Aires for my daughter and I for next Easter... I had purchased tix a few weeks ago and have been procastinating on reserving a hotel. I was able to book the Claridge for $99 night/3 nights and $105 night/4 nights ($717 w/o tax). In my experience, better hotels in Buenos Aires usually fill up early during Easter season, and I was able to book a confirmed reservation via the Claridge website. I checked LanChile and Expedia prior, and received the disclaimer "No accommodations for those dates are available!"

I LOVE March in Buenos Aires! It's early Fall and the weather is fabulous... My favorite time of the year in Argentina! It'll be a perfect stopover, since we'll be heading to Sydney from Buenos Aires via Santiago and Auckland.

I presume you mean $99 a night for each of 3 nights, and not $33 a night?

Ibis Hotel
 

Another hotel not mentioned so far (to my knowledge) is the Ibis, which seems to have gotten a good review from a recent Travel Section column in the New York Times.

Can anyone give me an idea of what the location (Hipólito Yrigoyen 1592) is like? Is there anything around it? Is it too far off the beaten path or a relatively short cab ride from assorted places newcomers to BA will want to go?

You will be centrally located at the Ibis. Very close to the Plaza del Congreso (where the Argentine Congress sessions) and to the Obelisco. This is good in terms of getting to places, although the location itself is not very "posh".

Gran Hotel Buenos Aires
 

Gaucho, I was booked at the Crillón but for some reason when I emailed them today to reconfirm the reservation, the price I thought I had negotiated with them fell through, so am I am now looking for an alternative.

I can get an internet rate of USD 111 + 21% Tax for 3 nights in september at Gran Hotel Buenos Aires (includes breakfast).

Do you think it is a reasonably good deal? Location seems good and the hotel looks ok from the photos (never been there) but would like to double check with you before booking it. I'm not interested in views, or any deluxe stuff, just a quiet, traditional, safe hotel for easy walks around the city center during saturday and sunday (I'm travelling with my wife) .

Thanks.

Viajero, is that US$ 110 for 3 nights...? I assume so. If this is the case, its a reasonable deal.

Else, if you are in the range of US$100s per night, the Hilton Buenos Aires has deals for the dates you mention for around US$120+taxes that are good deals... and I imagine the local Starwoods have rates to match.

Cheers
Gaucho

Gaucho, thanks.

Yes, sorry, I should have been clearer: US$ 111 + 21% tax, total for the 3 nights. I thought it was ok, but always nice to have it confirmed.

ORD nonstop to EZE on UAL starting November 1!!!

767's, from what i hear :p

This has been confirmed to me by the local UAL marketing folks. At last some good news for UA out of EZE.

A few more suggestions for BA
 

I've been lurking around these forums for a year or two, I finally decided to post a note:) I've been all over Latin America over the past 3 years, including 7 trips to BA. In fact, I'm in Hong Kong for a computer conference, I'll be flying from here to BA on Friday to spend a week there with my Argentine wife. I guess I love the country so much that I had to marry a Portena and bring her home with me!

Gaucho and others have posted some great ideas, I'll be checking some of those out next week:) I didn't see any comments that I disagreed with but I would like to add a few of my own thoughts.

Alvear Palace looks like one of the finest hotels in the city, I'd love to stay there eventually but its a bit out of my price range. I like staying at Loi Sutes Recoleta, its rooms are bright and comfortable and the hotel is a block from the famous cemetary. I've stayed at the Wilton Palace once, it was a bargain but the rooms, gym, and other facilities are a couple steps down from Loi Suites Recoleta.

Teatro Colon is a must see, as is the Pink House (be sure to check out the funky museum below, accessed through a door on the right side as you face the building); dodging 26 lanes of traffic on Avenida Nuevo de Julio; shopping on Calle Florida; strolling around the touristy part of La Boca (I'd go during the day as locals warn its gets a little sketchy over there after sunset); catching a game of futbol (preferibly between Boca Jr & River Plate); catching several shows (Teatro Colon, Esquina Carlos Gardel, and La Tanguera), strolling through all the parks, plazas, and gardens; sipping cafe con crema at one of the thousands of cafes; searching for Eva Peron's grave in the Recoleta Cemetary; walking through the cloisers at the church next to the cemetary (what's it call, Iglesia de Pilar?); and gazing at chatting with some of the millions of beautiful and friendly people who live in this lovely city.
I've got a few dozen photos of BA here: http://www.dillard.com/Argentina/, and hundreds of other shots from all over Latan America here: http://www.dillard.com

I also have some favorite restaurants to suggest...

Millsn between Paraguey and Santa Fe on Parana. If your facing Santa Fe it's on the left side of the street about in the middle. Its got great food at moderate prices, not as fancy as some other places but its always a great dinner.

Central 5644 Costa Rica cross streets are Fitz Roy and Bonpland in Palermo. 4776-7374. Delicious food and beautiful decor, it can be a little noisy but I still find it to be wonderfully romantic.

Lomo 4661 Costa Rica cross streets Gurrachaga and Armenia in Palermo. 4833-3200. Good food and fine service, my first 4 visits to Lomo were fantastic. On my last visit in January I was a little disappointed, apparantly the head chef and the suise chef were both on vacation. I'm going to give it another shot next week though.

Club Del Vino 4737 Cabrera in Palermo between Armenia and Malabia 4833-0048, 0049, & 0050, stick around for the music, its usually a great show.

Te Matare Ramirez 4062 Paraguey in Palermo, 4831.9156. http://tematareramirez.com, trendy menu with light hearted sexual overtones. Good service and great food combined with a romantic atmosphere.

Park Plaza Kempinski
 

Alejandro, Thanks for this great thread!

I'll be in Buenos Aires, in November with my Wife and a group of friends, we will be staying at the Park Plaza! Let me know a couple of good restaurants in the area.

Question of GSM Nature, does Cingular works, there, and I know that the roaming charges in all places are absurd! Any cheap place where I can buy a pre-paid phone? There.

Victor
San Juan, Puerto Rico