Sent PM inquiring if you will be in BA during November? Are you still associated with wine store?

Yes... on both counts.

I have a bit of an odd request - I need a good, but not great hotel.

I work for a company that wants to have us experience the difference between "okay" and "fantastic" service. So they're sending me to BA next week.

My "fantastic" service hotel is the Alvear Palace. I chose the Esplendor Buenos Aires as my "okay" hotel. My budget allows for a suite, but I think by Monday I'll be able to get a VIP suite for the same amount.

My traveling companion thinks we can do better for the same amount because the Trip Advisor reviews of the Esplendor are so bad. Has anyone experienced this?

So my question is - should I give up a suite at the Esplendor for a room elsewhere?

Thanks!

I would say you should consider the Loi Suites Recole
ta as your option for a good but not amazing option. Cant help you with the Esplendor as Ive never heard of it.

BTW... care to elaborate on why your company want you to experience these different levels of service...? Is your company in the services sector...?

My sister and friends of hers were in BsAs two weeks ago. This couple, in their late 60s were out walking when they both got hit from above by bird poop. They were immediately approached by some Argentinians who offered to assist them to remove the "stuff". They even offered to take her into an apartment to wash up, which she declied.
The upshot is that his wallet was stolen with a large amount of cash and his American Express card.

My guess is that they were just strolling along, looking older, and appeared able to be maniuplated by the confusion.

R.

Thanks for the recommendation! Unfortunately, the Loi Suites Recoleta has no availability for my dates. The Esplendor Buenos Aires <http://www.esplendorbuenosaires.com> used to be the Hotel Phoenix. I believe it was fairly recently renovated.

My company does provide service on a personal level. The owner decided that, after a number of profitable years, in lieu of a bonus, he would send each of us to one of 25 hotels picked by Andrew Harper as having fantastic service. Others were George V in Paris, Monistario in Cuzco, Bangkok Penninsula, Hotel Spendido in Portofino, and a number of others.

Of course, now the company is feeling the same economic pinch as everyone else, so I need to go on my trip and submit my receipts before things get worse!

thanks alex. trying to make reservations now and concierge wants to know the following:

- l'atelier � Is it in Belgrano or in Zona Norte, do you know which one?
- Oviedo � You have one in the street Beruti (Barrio Norte) and another one in the street Guatemala ( Palermo ), I guess is the one in Beruti street , right?

Yes..... Oviedo is on Beruti.... the Palermo location Ive never heard of. The Atelier Im talking about is the one in Zona Norte, close to Martinez.

Sorry to hear about this.
It is though one of the oldest trick in the books.
I wonder if this was really bird poop or did somebody throw something at them. I have heard the same story with spilling something on you or bumping into you with an ice-cream. Eyes open, know and monitor your environment, never look like you are lost, walk fast when somebody approaches you, keep part of money and cards in the hotel safe.
It happens in every city and town in the world.

You will find this ruse in several threads for various locations. It happened to me in Brussels while walking from the midtown train station to my hotel. I just kept on walking until I got to my destination.

Q about sidetrips: I'm in the process of firming up my first S. American holiday and have some time late May '09 and want to visit EZE but wanted some feedback about doing both MVD for 3-4 days and IGU for 1-2 days during my time in Argentina. This would take my total holiday time to around 2 weeks, not as much as I'd like of course but all I can really squeeze out at that time. Can I use EZE as a good base to get to/from MVD? How cheaply can I get between EZE & MVD? Seeing Iguassu Falls would be of interest but again, feedback on timing, costs, must see sights and any other insights would be appreciated.

I've at time been guilty of flying in and enjoying a city without really spending too much total time there. Not a true immediate turnaround MR or anything that crazy but I went to SYD for just over a week from Canada and regretted not begging, borrowing or stealing more holiday time to see a little more while there and I resolved this time I was going to do a few things diffferently.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the input.

You can reach MVD rather cheaping via the ferry, but not sure that you would really need that many days to see MVD. Frankly I would suggest visiting Mendoza or Bariloche before MVD.

And 2 days should be enough for Iguazu. If price is a major issue you can take the overnight bus to Iguazu, fairly cheap. Booking the Cama Suite is much like business class on an airline, lie flat bed, food etc. Here is a link showing the various companies and prices that serve that route http://www.omnilineas.com/argentina/...puerto-iguazu/

You can fly as well, Aerolineas Argentinas or LAN has many flights each day to choose from.

Suerte
SAM

Don't forget to film the falls from the Brazil side. As for MVD I agree with the previous poster, why so many days? Mendoza is great as is Salta, if you want you could take a day trip to Colonia instead.

Enjoy Bs As and Argentina, simply the best!

Thanks for the input. 17 hours one way B.A. to Iguassu on a bus, even a well appointed bus, gives me pause for thought. It would be an bit of an adventure and a way to see the countryside but roundtrip would make it at least a 4 day sidetrip, which may mean not seeing/doing something else. The domestic LAN roundtrip fare, OTOH, would be much quicker but at CAD$600 RT much more expensive. Maybe the bus OW and the flight back is the answer.

I hear the recommendations about seeing other Argentinian cities and I appreciate them but that's partly why MVD came up as a possability, its proximity to B.A. Like Iguassu, getting to/from either Mendoza or Bariloche would eat into my holiday time. At around a 2 week holiday is doing B.A. and Iguassu and Mendoza, for example, too crowded?

As I said I'm just planning now and will definately weigh the input.

If you are arriving on a One World airline, LAN, American, British etc you can purchase their Visit South America Pass and save a lot of money on airfares. If you are not then Aerolineas offers one that is a bit more expensive but does not require you to arrive there via Aerolineas.
Sam