I've spent the last few days trying to convince my partner to stay somewhere else. I've looked all over Tripadvisor for a better location. I've seen the mixed reviews for this hotel, but have also seen mixed reviews for places like Bobo, Home, etc. He's pretty stubborn, and insists that a coworker/friend told him this was a good place to stay. They also said it's close to the subway lines, although I haven't confirmed this. My partner and I are more likely to use the subway. Having lived in Chicago for 8 years we don't take taxis too often.

I appreciate all the advice. I have my fingers crossed that this hotel will be OK. If we get there and it's really bad, then I'll convince my partner to move elsewhere, assuming there are any rooms left. I'll post a review after my trip.

Is six days too long for EZE? Should I consider Mendoza?
 

I wasn't sure whether to post this in the EZE thread or in the main forum. I've read through pretty much all the posts here and some of the threads on Mendoza. My partner and I are going to Buenos Aires for Christmas/New Years. He's been there before for a short business trip. I've never been there.

My schedule right now looks like this:
Am I crazy for getting off a long plane ride from the US and immediately flying to Iguazu? My partner says he doesn't mind, but that might change once he gets off the plane. :rolleyes:

This would give us 6 days in Buenos Aires. Is that too much time? I haven't researched options for our time in Buenos Aires. I know it's summer and it will be quite warm. I'd like to take him to the city parks and gardens. I'm sure we'll want to be inside during the warmest part of the day, so I'm trying to put in time for museums, art galleries, etc.

Is everything closed in BsAs on New Years Day, or is it just on New Years Eve that everything shuts down?

I'm thinking about a day trip to Colonia (maybe on New Years Day), and perhaps a trip to Mendoza. I've already talked to Gaucho100K about visiting his wine shop. I've also considered going down to the beach and doing some surfing. I know it's not the best time of year for it. I'm trying to limit how much we spend on airline tickets within Argentina. We're already paying quite a bit to fly to Iguazu on LAN.

Would we be bored spending that much time in EZE? Should we consider Mendoza, or will we feel too rushed? I don't like running around too much on a vacation, but I don't want to feel bored.

a few comments:
1. it is not crazy to fly into EZE and then to Iguazu on the same day. It is better if you fly Business or First to EZE or if can sleep on the flight.
2. six days is not a lot in Buenos Aires. It is a very large city, tons of places to see, coffee shops to hang out, restaurants to try, museums and parks.
3. Summer can be very warm and humid and there is a lack of a/c in general (has gotten better in the last few years). If you are a morning person, wake up earlier, walk around the city, go to the parks, have a long quiet lunch and take a nap 3-6 pm. Go to a bar, have a drink or coffee and then get ready for a late dinner, show or theatre.
4. Four Seasons has a really nice spa/gym/pool area and you can spend some time there if you like.
5. taxis are very inexpensive and plenty. I would not waste time with the subte (metro) and would go with taxis.
6. I always rent an apartment so I have no comment about the hotels.
7. Buquebus is the ship company that goes to Colonia. It is a one hour boat trip and it can include a tour of Colonia. You can rent a bicycle in Colonia and ride around. It is a nice little town, nothing out of this world but if you feel like you need to do something else then it is a short one day option.
8. I dont know what you enjoy doing or how much relaxation you are looking for but I would do only Iguazu and then spend the rest of your time in BAires. It is an amazing city that must be explored on foot and slowly enjoyed and savored. The food is outrageously yummy

Wow!! Thanks very much keisari for that very informative post! I especially appreciate the advice about getting out early in the morning. I think that's a great way to deal with the heat. We will be flying business class on United, which hopefully will put us in the new seat configuration. That should allow us to get some sleep.

I think I will take your advice, and just do Iguazu and a day trip to Colonia, then spend the rest of the time in BsAs. Now I just need to plan what we're going to do while we are there.

I'd appreciate suggestions from anyone about what to do on New Years Eve and New Years Day. I see suggestions for restaurants for New Years Evening, which I'll check out. Any advice about what museums or other activities are possible on New Years Day?

New Years Eve is "family time" and most places close by 9PM. Make sure you find a place to eat dinner that is open and make a reservation. This is the deadest major city in the world for midnight on New Years. By 2AM, clubs and cafes are open again. But absolutely make sure as #1 priority to arrange for a set New Years dinner, otherwise you'll be scrambling for the 1 or 2 open cafes, or eating room service.

While taxis are inexpensive and plentiful, during peak traffic times, depending on where you are going from/to, the subte will not waste your time, but indeed save you a lot of time. @:-)

My last subte ride nearly induced a panic attack. I did not want to face the 6pm traffic, got on a train right near the start of the line, within a stop it was squished packed, and then the train stopped right after leaving the next station, for quite awhile. Finally it started moving again, bit by bit, but it was a ride I'd never consider again at that hour. I was a squished contortionist most of the way, and it ended up taking an hour to get where I was going (centro to Palermo).

Even avoiding rush hour, Linea D can be packed. Stopping between stations is quite common, and when the train isn't moving, there's essentially no airflow, even with the windows down. Considering that the temperatures in summer can reach into the high 30s, the sweating, packed bodies can make for an awfully uncomfortable experience. Unless, of course, you're into that :D

John

Nope, not into it even during a late winter evening :td: However, the speed of the taxi ride during the wee hours on the return (when the traffic signals are merely decorative) made the average total elapsed travel time pretty good :D

I wait until I find a taxi with a/c.

I checked the Buquebus website and they have ships to Colonia on New Years Day. Even if the shops are closed in Colonia you can still enjoy the city.
I have never been in BAires on New Years Eve so I have no comments.

Finding a place for dinner on New Years Eve
 

It's more challenging than I expected to find a place for dinner on New Years Eve. I found out today that La Bourgogne at the Alvear Palace is closed on New Years Eve, although the hotel is having something in their roof garden room for $430 per person!

The menu from Le Sud at the Sofitel looks more interesting, and is only $290 (which goes down to $105 if you eat after midnight)! However, the only wines they are serving are these, which seem rather ordinary:
These prices seems pretty ridiculous, especially considering the menus I've looked at don't appear that fantastic. I don't see anyone serving Dom Perignon for that price! Of course, I haven't tried too many places yet, but is this what I can expect? What justifies the extraordinary prices, even at places like these? Would a normal dinner at these restaurants be this expensive? I'm going to review this thread and check out some of the other recommendations listed in previous posts. I just wanted to share what I've found out for this year, so far. :eek:

(I'm not objecting to paying a lot for a dinner, just paying a lot for what seems like pretty ordinary food. It does seem excessive to blow almost $1,000 on a New Years Eve dinner for two. By the way, I've checked, and these prices are in US $ and not Argentine pesos!)

transfer at EZE..need clear imm +customs?
 

hey guys..

quick question.. i'm going to be flying TAM from GIG to EZE on Jan 2, connecting to Mexicana EZE to MEX (and onwards to JFK), also departing on Jan 2. When arriving into EZE, will I need to clear customs + immigration/etc., or can I just transfer/stay airside without having to go through all the entry formalities just to leave a few hours later (and have to wait in that VERY long line for departing passengers from EZE).

Thanks 4 the help..
DD

Deviantdesi - yes you can stay airside and avoid immigration etc. (and the US$18 departure tax).

I live about 4 blocks away from the hotel! I've never been inside but it looks OK from the outside and I doubt it's going to be that bad that you will want to go through the hassle of finding somewhere else to stay. As a couple of other posters have mentioned, the area doesn't really have a lot going for it from a tourist perspective (that's one of the reasons I like it so much as I'm not tripping over tourists every time I walk out of the door!) but everything is within easy reach.

The barrio is more run-down than Recoleta or Palermo but is still generally safe if you take the usual sensible precautions. And the subway is on your doorstep - a 30 second walk from your hotel. Line B will take you straight into the downtown area/main shopping street in just 10 minutes (jump off at Florida).

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to help.