I was able to buy on the Southern Winds website without signing up for the value miles program. That was only three months ago but it's possible that things may have changed since then.

I stayed here with b/f (Hotel Nogaro) in April this year. We had a suite. Quiet and peaceful. Very comfortable bed. Beautiful hardwood floors and a separate sitting room. Piped in Muzak, volume adjustable. Best part of all, a good sized bathroom, large bathtub, and a bidet! Service was low key and friendly. I don't speak much Spanish and all the people who worked the front desk spoke English.

I'm gathering from the various comments, feeling safe is a relative thing. I never felt unsafe in this neighborhood, but it is not located in a heavy foot traffic area. It is very close to La Casa Rosa and adjacent to San Telmo, which was my favorite area of the city--beautiful tiled churches, flea market in the park, pizza and beer at sidewalk cafes that were less crowded than Recoleta, interesting architecture, the weekend flea market in the park, really tasty pizza, wine for $6US a bottle in a restauarant!!!

Maybe because I live in San Francisco, I didn't notice people digging through trash cans. At night the concierge radioed a taxi for us to go to dinner in other neighborhoods, and the taxi drivers were friendly and fun. I felt like I was in Europe at 1/3 the price. I will definitely be back.

Yes, you earn AAdvantage miles
 

I've flown with Southern Winds (SW) many times and have been credited the appropiate miles to my AAdvantage account (usually within a couple of days) hassle free.. Though remember that they are not elite status miles.

I would highly recommend flying with them locally (as the service is spectacular in comparison to most local US airlines (including AC in Canada).

happy flying and definetly take some good pictures of Iguazu and remember to go on the little boats that take you all the way up to the falls (though there will be lots of people selling you the tickets for the same price throughout the park, you can get just before you board).

Take lots of pictures and enjoy the weather.

RE: Southern Winds
 

In October I made several attempts on the SW website to make reservations from BsAs to Salta. Each time when I got to the part of the site where you made payment the site would freeze up. I was finally reduced to calling the 800 number in Miami. The nice agent I spoke to checked her computer and told me I had reservations for each attempt! I explained my problem and she said that she would have someone from Argentina to call me and take the cc payment by phone. She explained that if she took the payment in the US that the tickets would cost much more. As she promised someone did call from Argentina and took the payment. I received Etickets via Email. We did promptly receive AA miles credit after the flight. The further in advance you book the cheaper the tickets. Incidentally each flight was completely full.

How small/large are the taxis?
 

I have read in several places that they are CHEAP and would like to use them instead of the subway.

We will be five adults. Will we fit in one taxi? Just want to be prepared.

Thanks :)

Now THAT is a new question! I have never heard or seen it before :D The taxis are almost all small 4 door sedans, mostly European makes such as Puegot. What I see in the states that are comparable are Honda Civics or Toyota Corollas. You can squeeze 4 adults in along with the driver, but 5 would be pushing it. Get two cabs:)

Other thoughts: The majority don't have AC. Many are beat up and past their prime, I think that its ok to pass on a taxi and wait for a more comfortable or safer looking one. Look for those labeled "Radio Taxi" as they are purportedly less likely to be kidnappers. On the other hand, a large group as yours is unlikely to be harrased by anything worse than a pickpocket. For everyone else traveling the world, its best to avoid hailing cabs from the street by yourself, travel with friends whenever feasible. Also, ask hotel and restuarant staff to arrange cabs for you, especially at night.

Is this a fair comparison?
 

(btw, thanks KurtD for the above info).

I am focusing on the Recoleta for a hotel (now looking at NH Florida). I received this info from a TA in BA, who feels that the Recoleta is not where we should stay :mad: As if I weren't already confused enough :confused:

She said:
"Please note that Recoleta is a very fancy district however it is not so conveniently located as Plaza San Martin, because for example there are no subways in Recoleta and most of the attractions are closely to Retiro and the downtown area."

The comparison -- Is it fair to compare the Recoleta to the Upper East Side in NYC and the Retiro/downtown area as Midtown Manhattan in NYC?

Thanks

My guess is that the TA has better arrangements in some parts of town... that happens with many TAs and in various cities. The TA is trying to get you to stay in the area that he/she has the best deal or has the space to accomodate you. Both areas are fine... but if you want to be in Recoleta, then state you case and have the TA oblige.

Estancia Santa Rita
 

Is anyone familiar with this place? Estancia Santa Rita ? Any details you can pass along about it? I can't even find an "official" website for it and it only comes up through these "estancia group" sites.

I found a map that is very useful (imho). It might help others for their hotel research on an overview of where landmarks and sights are located.

Also, if you click on the name of any of the hotels, it goes to a page with more info on them.

Hope it helps someone else :)

http://www.goargentina.net/maps/buenosaires.shtml

If the links to the hotels do not work, then you can just go to their main page and find this map in the top righthand corner.

http://www.goargentina.net/hotels/bu...es/index.shtml

Thanks for posting this ^

Regarding Recoleta:
Gaucho... is correct. The TA is steering you to their "best" (commission or else that is) hotel.

I recommend Recoleta:
1. It's save
2. Nice places to walk, street cafés ... upscale..
3. Nice people, nice small shops, Mrs. USAFAN
went to a first class hairdresser.
4. Some places to visit ("Evita" cemetery, other)
5. Taxis are cheap; have been there last year.
Mostly less than 5 ARS, and we always
paid 5 ARS, no matter, even if the meter showed less...we really
felt sorry for drivers, who didn't take the direct route.. :p

And don't get me wrong, there are other nice areas/places to stay....I just like Recoleta the most!

If the 21% is the VAT, then I'm not sure what the IVA is? It was mentioned in a hotel response.


We have availability- the rate is $185+iva (pesos argentinos)incliud Breakfast and taxes

I'm trying to determine if the hotel direct pricing is any better than some of the internet agencies, but want to make sure I am working with the correct figures.

Thanks :)

Yes, IVA is thier value add tax. People can get around it at some businesses by paying cash, but then again, why contribute to the culture of irresponsibility down there by encouraging businesses to not pay taxes? You can also get some money you paid for taxes while visiting refunded at the airport by submitting your reciept and some forms at a kiosk just past the first security checkpoint, but I'm always too impatient to check it out and see what kind of money I could get back:)

Apologies. More hotel angst from another traveler. Any assistance would be appreciated!

I'm gathering Recoleta is the place to stay, but there are a couple of places outside of Recoleta that sounded tempting and I'd love to get some sort of thumbs up or down from anyone with more information than me:

The two places with the best rates I have found so far are www.argentinago.com and www.argentinas-hotels.com - I have seen people content with their transactions with the former, but have no information on the latter.

The Etoile is 160 Pesos/night (about $55) on ArgentinaGo
The LoiSuites Recoleta is double that, but less if you prepay.
The Ulises Recoleta Suites are $54.

On argentinas-hotels the rates are tax included, so they are 21% less, correct?

The Plaza Francia is $60

These hotels outside of Recoleta also sound tempting -

The Sol Melia looks like it has the sort of rooms I like (bright) and amenities I like (gym, net access) It's offered at argentinas-hotels for what seems like a huge bargain, $70 with taxes included. I know it's not in Recoleta, but is that rate as much of a steal as I think? And I'm also wondering, since the Sol Melia site has a "lowest rate guarantee" +10% off, can I get this for $63 a night? (The posted rates for my date on the Melia site are $162/night)

The other place that looks really interesting is 1555 Malabia House in Palermo Viejo. It looks like it has wonderful character - but it may just have a great web designer ;)

Any help I could get to narrow this list down would be appreciated!

Thanks!

If you buy leather goods or other not-so-small ticket items, the VAT adds up rather quickly. Perhaps its not such a good idea to skip that tax free counter...? ;)