And, yes, from a business perspective, imagine how much I have spent at the Park Tower in the last year or so that would have likely been completely lost revenue. If mid-level management is being forward with me they are only averaging around 80-85% occupancy on any given night. I think it is good both for the traveller as well as the hotel/other business that bother to give the better personalized service.

Hi, thanks for hosting this forum!!!! My husband and I are planning a 2 week trip to Argentina, we're not frequent travellers, all advice is welcome! We plan on going from 15 to 30 Sept. Also, we're thinking a week in Buenos Aires and a week in the Patagonia region. So, here are a (lot of) questions:

1. Should we book flights immediately, or hold out a little while for deals? Any other fliight advice? We can fly out of Miami, West Palm Beach or Ft. Lauderdale FL, USA.

2. What will the weather be like this time of year?

3. Anything out of the city, Patagonia area that is not to be missed?

4. We want a fun, romantic time in the city, plus hip food, shopping, without crazy spending. (Up to $100 us a night for hotel.) If we're going to spend a week in the city, should we stay in one neighborhood, or move around?

5. What are the "don't miss" spots in the city? (We're foodies, like art, will want to see/try some tango dancing for sure.)

5. What's the best way to travel to the Patagonia area? (We're thinking we may go there first.)

6. Is there any Bikram yoga in the city?

7. Any walking tours?

Thanks for any pointers! Best, Denise

Does anybody know of any high-end music shops in BA? Specifically, I'm interested in guitars.

There are websites, such as weather.com, that contain that info.

For example:

Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina

I would echo this. The ATM's took my cards without a problem. In salvador da Bahia I had to hunt an ATM every now and then that would take any of my cards.

After Japan, Brazil is the second most popular tourist destination where Americans (at least) have ATM troubles.

The coolest areas are:
- PALERMO VIEJO: cool shops, restaurants, bars, clubs
- PALERMO HOLLYWOOD: mostly restaurants
- LAS CA�ITAS: bars, resturants
- RECOLETA: sights, high-class stuff
- PUERTO MADERO: restaurants, some clubs, Faena hotel- T+L says: must see.

As suggested before, you are great for Time Out Magazine in BA. It seems that they published only one issue and there you will find great info. You can try get it in the newsstand at EZE as you arrive to your right.

Good luck, PM me if u need further info.
Chau
Diego

The issue with imported musical instruments is the high tax they have to pay hence the final price to end users is incredible high when compared to US prices. If you are planning to buy local instruments that you will not find in your country of origin:
This is one shop I know http://www.promusicaonline.com/www/site-es/Inicio.htm
Can�t tell if it is the best, but definetely high-end (bear in mind that high-end in Argentina is not high-end in Japan, Europe or US, standards are different).
Site is in Spanish but you will manage to see if what u want is there. Then just phone the store nearest you or email to see if they have what u want and price.
Cheers
Diego

My sister called me the day before yesterday and asked if I was up for going to Buenos Aires over Thanksgiving. It would be she, her boyfriend, me & my husband.

After reading this entire thread, now i know I'm going to have to go back and re-read everything.

I think I've chosen some potential hotels. The Claridge looks great as well as the park Plaza Kempinski. Someone she knows recommended the Sofitel Hotel Madero, but it doesn't appeal to me.

Gaucho, should we be asking for the $95. rate at the Kempinski still? Or is that an unreasonable rate. Also, would the Claridge be amenable to some rate discussion.

One thing that truly appeals to me is the idea of going to one or more of the Estancias. My high school and college Spanish is okay, and fortunately I'm not afraid to use it... or to be around where there is no english. I would like to find an estancia that has horses to be used by the guests. My husband would love that, and I would like it as well.

Thanks Gaucho for this incredible thread that has gone on and on. I really don't know much about Argentina and BsAs in particular, but there's certainly enough to get me going.

One question I have about wines, Gaucho: I enjoy european wines, particularly because they're not as full bodied as the American ones. I enjoy Cotes du Rhone, Chateauneuf du Pape, and the Spanish Riojas, as well as champagnes (not Dom... to rich for my palate).

Can you recommend some good reds for my tastebuds? Also, before we leave, I'll PM you to see if you're going to be around.

Thanks in advance,
Rita

Im not completely up to date on the hotel rates, but something around US$100 for the properties you are considering would be a very good rate, I would expect you to normally have to pay around 130-140 dollars. Dont forget to check the Hilton Puerto Madero.

You will be fine with college Spanish. Regarding estancias, check out this site:

http://www.estanciasargentinas.com/eng/index.php

Regarding wines. From what you are explaining, tt seems like you would enjoy Argentine wines of older vintages, rather than some of the newer ones. Argentina�s Terroir makes a lot of big wines, with important structure, so perhaps you may not find some that appealing. Perhaps you should consider trying some of our Pinot Noirs, or some older Cabernet based blends. Please PM me for more details.

In terms of Champagne.... you will have a blast. Argentina has been producing some very good Sparkling wines, at great values for money. Dont miss out on these:

Baron B Brut Rose
Cuvee Reserve Pinot Noir from Chandon (this is a Blanc de Noirs)
Baron B Nature Milessime

and in the premium segment:

Baron B Unique
Chandon Eternum ZD
Luigi Bosca Boheme
Rosell Boher Brut

Please dont hestitate to PM me for more details.

Cheers
Alex (Gaucho100K)

We are going to be in BA the first two weeks of November and have made reservations at the Hotel Plaza Francia. This will be our first trip to BA. Do any of you have any first hand knowledge of this hotel? Their website looks fine and they have been very responsive to our emails.

Thanks,
Bev and Jerry

Greetings-
I am looking for info on ski conditions in Bariloche. I will be there Sep 1-4 and would like to know what clothes to bring and weather conditions. If anyone has a current link I would appreciate it.
Regards.

We're heading down for a quick weekend and would be happy to hook up with some FTers while in Buenos Aires. It's a first trip for both of us, so we have no particular plans.

If anyone is heading down there at that time and is interested, PM me and I'll take charge of coordinating.

Mike

Generally that's too late in the season. I don't know this year, but in some years -- even at what is supposed to be the best time of the year to ski there -- I've had to head over to Portillo in Chile to get "my fix".