Gaucho100K-- great topic. I am planning to go to BA and Mar del Plata and will have a few days flexible. I'm staying at the Sheraton both places so accomodation is not the issue--but I have a few questions:
1. My wife wants to visit the pampas--is it possbile to do that over a couple of days?
2. I know the Sheraton Liberatador is also available--but is it too far away or is it a seedy location?
3. Is it worth going to Ushuaia for 2 days or should I try some other area? Say Bariloche?
4. Can I book tours easily in BA ? Are the hotel agencies reasonable?

2. The Sheraton Libertador is not as nice as the Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center; the latter is also better located for "tourism" purposes. The Sheraton Liberatdor is in a more "run-down" semi-business area, but it's not seedy or dangerous if you use common sense. [The Liberatdor is more aged than the Sheraton Buenos Aires H&C Center.]
3. Ushuaia, unless you want to go skiing in Bariloche.
4. Easy to book well-priced (very reasonable package) tours, but don't necessarily rely on the in-hotel travel agencies for such.

help
 

I have a free ticket and would like to visit B/A for two or three days, any place that you recommend that is safe and close to everything as far as lodging? thanks for your help

I recommend the Hilton for first time visitors. It's in a nice, very safe area. You will still need a cab to see the other neighborhoods, and the restaurant choices around the Hilton are quite good.

Given that cabs are cheap, stay at the Hilton.

Thanks GUWonder. The Liberatador is out!! Any other suggestions re BA itself?

Same rules as any city apply. Be conscious of your surroundings, watch your wallet and belongings - have a great time, there are some great people and sites to see.

My 3/3 SW flight AEP-RGL was cancelled, probably for the above reasons. I was able to purchase a walkup flight on Aerolineas for AR3 more than my SW flight was to be, so all hope is not lost if you´ve booked a SW ticket. I had to spend an extra 3 hours in Buenos Aires. Oh the horror!

A difference of opinion.
 

Were that the case, much of NYC aside from Central Park and the Upper East Side would have to be described in the same manner. I won't even mention Alphabet City or the East Village.

I doubt many porteños would describe the area around the corner of Cordoba and Maipu as being "run-down". The beautiful Galleria Pacifica is on Cordoba, just down the street.

It seems the more sterile the area, the more attractive it is to North Americans. While the Puerto Madero area is nice - similar in some ways to the rejuvenated Jersey City Exchange Place district, it isn't the type of place where one can just walk outside the hotel and be in the midst of it all. I would find it rather tiresome to have to take a cab to almost anywhere of interest.

The walk from the Sheraton Libertador to Galerias Pacificos is not as attractive (or touristy) as the walk from the Sheraton B.A. H&C Center through San Martin Plaza and down Florida to Galerias Pacificos. Being in the middle of a bunch of office buildings and a hodge podge of smaller stores/buildings might have its "charm", but it's also not necessarily the most charming area when a protest breaks out and people are banging pots and more.

.... and the walk from the Hilton to Florida/Galerias Pacificos does not take more than 20 minutes from the Hilton either; and the walk from the Sheraton BA H&CC is even quicker (once you cross the main street). In any event, one is going to have to take a cab (or try the subway and buses) if they want to go to Palermo (and Palermo Chico and Viejo) or to any of the other barrios.

[I get my dry cleaning and laundry done off Maipu.... and most of the portenos I know would suggest that one stay in Puerto Madero rather than in Retiro.]

That said, you are right; certain parts of Retiro remind me of Tribeca (not at its best but not at its worst either). [And I am not fan of Central Park South. :D Too much horse stink in the mornings when I used to live there.]

You're absolutely correct. The walk from the the Sheraton BsAs to the Galerias Pacifico is more picturesque as you walk adjacent to Plaza San Martin. However, crossing the wide and busy Av. Alem can be a major pain, esp. on weekdays. I guess the best of both worlds would be to stay at the Marriott Plaza. That way you're kitty-corner to both the attractive Plaza San Martin and the hodge-podge of Florida without having to hail a cab. The hotel is a jewel, and you can admire (or not) the nearby Kavanagh Building.

As far as protests goes, they can spring up anywhere. Witness the recent one in Recoleta involving the artisans and jewelry vendors. The more common sites are usually closer to Congresso, although a couple of years ago I was stuck in one on Santa Fe in Barrio Norte. A month ago, some visiting friends of mine said they were witness to one in Puerto Madero, but I think they may have been a bit confused as to where they actually were.

You're also right in saying that many porteños would rather stay/live in Puerto Madero. For many of them, the open spaces and trendy new highrise buildings are desireable and living there is a definite status symbol. My philosophy, however, is to immerse myself in the local way of life, no matter what foreign city I visit or live in. Were I to isolate myself in a quasi North American enclave that is not truly an accurate representation of the culture and city I'm visiting, I would be doing myself a disservice. I guess I'm more of a Tribeca person.

American Falcon?
 

I know nothing about American Falcon, aside from what I see on their website. Are they legit? Are they a "reasonable fare" carrier? Are they in danger of financial collapse, or safety issues? While I clearly see the security in going with Aerolineas, it's so tough to justify US$500 RT/person for a weekend trip to Mendoza. Would love to find some possible alternative....if one exists!

I havent heard anything negative about American Falcon. Having said that, Ive never flown them either. Sorry I cant be of more help.

Take Me Out To The... Parrillon de Recoleta
 

Managed to make our way to El Parrillon de Recoleta. But first the cabbie had to run us up to the 1200 block...a misunderstanding, to be sure. Fine Bife de chorizo and lomo, and the ensalada monumental—excellente. We had the Catena Zapata Alamos Malbec. Interesting—similar to a shiraz/merlot maybe, full mouth feel but not huge bodied, soft, lots of fruit, with a bit of a peppery finish. A little breathing and it gets quite mellow in the glass. As noted—quite absent the oakiness we norteamericanos are accustomed to.
--CR

Southern Winds - update & further downgrade
 

The cash crunch for Juan Maggio´s airline is now even more evident and things are getting messy. SW is behind on salary payments to its employees, which are refusing to work and have started picket lines here at AEP. 3 flights scheduled this morning were cacncelled, including one to Tucuman and another to Mendoza. :td:

I couldn't agree more. I don't understand why some Americans travel 6 or 7 thousand miles to seeking a vacation locale that feels familiar. When I travel I want to be imersed in a foreign city and country, with its food, culture, people, and history. It saddens me to see American-style fast food, mega-markets, and malls becomeing more and more popular in places that I used to think were exotic when I was a kid.