I know the Hilton Puerto Madero can be had for USD 280 per room (double occupancy) w/bfast included... dont know if that may be an option for you.

Here are two boutique hotels that I head are very good, and in the USD250ish price range...

Hotel PuroBaires
Hotel Nuss

It looks like they've come down slightly to $280/per. Maybe a good time to book?

We're looking at the 9;30am departure out of B.A. and 4:30 return. Do you think those are good times to get up there and depart?

$280 is a good price.... but for those that like to gamble, some are saying that domestic loads will continue to be very weak so airlines will have to continue to lower prices. I see tons of promotional emails coming into my mailbox from LAN, AR.... more than usual and to a point where Ive started to notice. I got nothing similar these last couple of years...

OK I will hold out a little longer.

Hello all,
Well it's been a while since I've posted on this thread... it's like pouring salt into a wound thinking about travel when I can't plan any trips for a while.

For those of you who don't know me, I've been a Realtor for some 8 years now, but with the tanked economy I had to take a regular day job.

Anyway, I keep monitoring the exchange rate dollar to peso and it just keeps getting more preferrable for those with US dollars, so the question pops into my mind: is it possible to book 5 star hotels in Buenos Aires quoted in pesos?

Along those same lines, is it possible (Gaucho100) to purchase wines quoted in pesos?

Just wondering....
Rita

Hi Rita... great to hear from you.

Most 5 star hotels will quote rates in Dollars... even though they do publish some special rates in Pesos from time to time, although they are mostly directed to local residents. The Dollar amount is converted into pesos when you get billed, but to fix a price you would have to pay for your stay so that basically eliminates any theoretical exchange gains.... I can see where you are going with this, but Im not sure this game can be played with 5 star hotels, unless you are a wholesale tour operator and are prepared to buy lots of room days in advance.

On the issue of wine... its still quoted in Pesos, so the moving exchange rate does help with the economics of wine. However, prices for wines are adjusting on a regular basis... the last round of price increases was around the last week of November 2008, and for the past few days Ive been given heads up from the mayor producers that a new price list with average price hikes of 8-12% will come into effect before the end of March.

Hence, the only way to play the ForEx game for wine would be to purchase the last week before a new price list comes into effect and hope that the said week would be one with the Peso weakening against the USD. I dont see any wine merchants fixing forward prices in Pesos given how the markets have been over the past few months.

Any idea what a cab should run from EZE to the Intercontinental? We'll be groggy after the flight so we'll just cab it, but I want to know what to expect. Thanks!

Taxi Ezeiza should be a bit under 100 pesos. I think it was 87 when I was there last, but probably close to 100 now.

I would not have an EZE Taxi as my first option.... rather I would consider a private care by Manuel Tienda Leon.

Thank you for this. I will investigate!

We leave in about a week. I need to pay an undergraduate intern to read through this thread and summarize it for me.

I will give this a try.....

- dont use Money Changers at EZE near baggage pickup
- use Radio Taxis (Manuel Tienda at EZE)
- drink red wine
- eat dead cow
- smile a lot & have a great time

I think I can manage to do all of those things.

I always use Dante to drive me to and from the airport. He's a nice guy, he speaks English and he's reliable (his car is only so-so though). Don't give his name out to too many friends because he tends to be booked -- I always email him a month in advance to be sure. His price has crept up to $30, but I suspect that's still cheaper than most options.

http://dantesairporttransfers.hazedaze.com/

I have nothing against Dante.... but, didnt he get a few bad reviews on Trip Advisor or am I having a Senior moment...??