Which Sheraton?
 

Please advise which Sheraton is nicer between these 2.

1. Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center
2. Sheraton Libertador Hotel

I plan to stay at least a couple nights at one of these two places. Each requires the same amount of SPG points.... (3000-4000 points per night)

Also, Choice # 3, Park Tower, requires 10000 points per night. Is it worth? Or should I just stay at one of the first two choices?

Thanks,...Kiam

Look back two pages to post 1363 for links :)

General thought seems to be that Libertator is better located by several blocks but somewhat run-down compared to the Convention Center. Maybe a bit more local charm vs. big impersonal convention center hotel. Libertador was Cat 1 until this year though, which made it the bargain. At the same point level it's probably tougher to pick and seems like it depends on how much you want to be right in the action vs. several blocks or a quick cab away. Most do not think the Park Tower upgrade is worth all the extra points considering what a bargain the others are. This is just what I've gathered here - I don't check into the Libertador until the 27th :)

First let me say that I did a search of this thread and found this same question asked once before but with no response...

I am going to EZE in about two weeks, and I got the idea in my head that it might be a good place to get a quality suit for cheap (combination of low labor costs and fashion-conscious people). Am I correct? If so, does anyone have any recommendations of tailors? I would absolutely love to have a bespoke suit (one totally cut and tailored to fit me), but my budget does not permit such things in the US of A.

Thanks for the help.

I got 2 suites custom made, about 2 years ago for $500. I don't remember the name of the shop, but I think I have it at home (I am work now). I'll repost later. The quality of one suite was quite good, but the other was a bit dissapointing. It required at least 5 days and I would reccomend multiple fittings to be sure they get it right. The material chosen has a lot to do with price of the suite. I was not able to afford the British cloths, and choose a more moderate Italian light weight wool.

If your SPG account can take a 10K hit per night, the Park Tower is light years ahead of anything else run by Sheraton in Buenos Aires.

The shops name is Master's. It's on Callao, between Santa Fe and Marcelo T. D. Alvear. Two or three establishments down is a very cool clthing store. I forget the name, they have a bunch of suites and its worth checking out. It's on Callao, on the same side of the street as Master's direction Alvear. The suites are upstairs. If you have ny questions feel free to PM.

Also while you are in the neigborhood don't miss El Ateneo Bookstore. It's around the corner (left) on Santa Fe. It's in an old renovated movie theatre and its really worth going in there for coffee or a snack, or just to look around. Have fun!!!!!!

BoBo near Wilton
 

I'm off to BsAs on March 5. I'll be in town for 2 days and wanted to try the BoBo hotel, which gets good reviews. I'm meeting a friend staying at the Wilton. Are the 2 hotels within walking distance? Would I do better to just stay at the Wilton? Not sure of prices of each but I assume they're in the same ballpark?

NOTE: Just heard back from Bo-Bo, no rooms. They suggested Malabia House, Five Buenos Aires and Home Buenos Aires. Any suggestions on these and their locations/prices vs. Wilton?

I can't advise on the other hotels, but I always stay at the Wilton. I have found the best price for the Wilton at Octopustravel. It usually runs about USD 55-60. Cheap taxi ride to anywhere.

Never seen the place, but FWIW I have heard very good things about the Malabia House.

El Ateneo for books is an excellent recommendation.... ^

Possible to get cell phone in BA for taxis, temporary use?
 

My wife and I will be going to Argentina very shortly on vacation. We'd like to have a cell phone with us for calling radio taxis, etc. Is it possible to get one for temporary use--ideally getting it at the airport on arrival from abroad (on United)? And if so, where? Or are we better off trying to get a chip or a suitable temporary phone before leaving the United States?

Thanks for any advice.

Renting a cellphone on arrival at the airport is possible. Just make sure to have a credit card available. There is at least one "desk" right outside customs at EZE where this is possible.

Alternatively, a local SIM card for a GSM phone could work too, but I don't know if that is always worth it, especially if you don't have your own unlocked GSM phone that is compatible with the Argentine used networks.

A third option is the hotels. At least at the Hilton Buenos Aires, a cell phone is generally available for me in the rooms, and forwarding the hotel phone to the cell phone is easily done there.

Design Hotels / B&B in Palermo Viejo
 

My preferences regarding the best lodging in P. Viejo are:

1) Home Hotel ( Brand new w/ pool).
2) BOBO Hotel , Excellent alternative to Home or vicev., GREAT restaurant and
very friendly service.
3) Malabia House. Very nice place too.
4) Five .

5) Smaller B&B for budget oriented travellers ( La Otra Orilla for example.)
There are some more good choices in the area, similar to La Otra Orilla.


Regarding El Ateneo its a must visit , but books are mainly in Spanish, for English books, KELL bookstore over M. T de Alvear and guess Talcahuano is excellent.

I checked into getting a SIM card from Telefonica for my unlocked GSM phone, they wanted me to pre-pay for 6 months or more. Some hotels provide phones with free calls in the federal district, before you rent anything check with your hotel.

If you don't have to do business down there you might forgo the cellphone completely, there are 'cabinas' all over Buenos Aires and every other major city where you can use their VOIP service to make very cheap calls. E.g. 5-10 cents per minute international, 2-3 per minute domestic. I have had good luck using Skyp or Vonage on my laptop computer too.

Most hotels will call a taxi for you, and so prevalent in the street that I've never called on in my half dozen trips there the last few years. Even at the airport, you will find cabinas (phone booths), that only charge .20-.25 a minute, so quite cheap.

If you have an unlocked GSM phone, Im told that the best option for a prepaid SIM card is CTI, not Telefonica or the other GSM operators. One useful trick is to ask for a prepaid SIM, and when you are given the hard sell for the whatever plan or whatever months just tell them "turist" and that will cut the sales pitch. If they have a simple SIM card they will sell, else you can save time and go elsewhere.