Hilton Buenos Aires {ARG}

I have a possible stay here next week. A few questions:
1) I know there are no guarantees in life, but as a HH Gold (keeping the "enhancements" recently in mind) what are the chances of getting lounge access here?
2) It's actually only $10 more per night for breakfast too. How is the downstairs breakfast buffet?
3) I have never spent much time in Puerto Madero. Are there many restaurants in walking distance? And much variety--in terms of cuisine and price? Or is most of it high-end?
Thanks in advance!

Cannot answer the the first two questions (Im Diamond) but Puerto Madero is a great place to stay and it seems to be only getting better. There are tons of restaurants of all types very close including Asia de Cuba right next to the Hilton and a quite good Italian Carletto??, just a block away.
Over the channel the seafood El Mirasol is nice and lets not forget the world famous "best steak reaturant in the world" Cabanas Las Lilas, overrated IMHO but still good... and finally the local branch of Hooters

http://www.puertomadero.com/i_serv_gastro.cfm

mike

I would think that despite the new "enhancements", a Gold will still stand an excellent chance of being upgraded to the Executive Floor (the top two floors), assuming the hotel isn't booked solid. At least that was my experience 3 years ago, when I was a Gold. The Hilton tends to treat VIPs rather well in my experience.

Also, I wouldn't recommend Cabana Las Lilas. Do a search on the Argentina forum. The general consensus is that it's over-priced and the food is mediocre. I'll second El Mirasol in Puerto Madero though. There's also a Freddo (gelato) within walking distance of the Hilton. Mmm...can't wait for my trip in December!

Any post-enhancement experiences of stays by Golds being upgraded (or not) at this property???

Just an FYI. I'm a gold in both Starwood and Hilton and a frequent Buenos Aires visitor. I don't like the Hilton's location of Puerto Madero. Very sterile. Reminds me of the Docklands in London, but even more sterile.

I like the location of the Sheratons much better. The Libertador is an older property but very centrally located in the microcenter. I've never been bothered by the noise. As a Gold paying $45 + 2800 points (cash & points), I've been given a high floor room and free lounge access (breakfast & snacks). It's the best ff deal in town, IMHO. Save your Hilton points for another city.

I, on the other hand, much prefer the cleanliness, service and just about everything else about the Hilton to the old, noisy Sheraton Libertad�r and its often lousy service.

Pto. Madero is easy walking distance from nearly anything in the Microcentro, and more, and is much safer - the Navy MPs are much more alert than the city cops (and not on the take) so one is more at ease here.

I'm looking forward to the Conrad's opening. ^

The "much safer" part doesn't make sense to me. The microcenter -- especially the area around the Libertador -- is VERY safe these days. I frankly feel safer there than in Puerto Madero if for no other reason than there are always people around (generally a good safety mechanism in any city). And in 20 years of visiting BA, I've never had any interactions with the police.

The Libertador certainly is an older building -- no showpiece, that's for sure. There is also no question that both the rooms and public areas of the Hilton are significantly nicer. But the Libertador is more convenient for just about anything one would actually want to do in BA (except go to Puerto Madero). And I've had absolutely no service issues there -- the staff is very friendly. It functions essentially as a boutique hotel.

As I said, I'm gold in both Hilton and Starwood. In a choice between 35,000 points for a night at the Hilton, or 2800 points and $45 for the Sheraton, it's a slam dunk in favor of the Libertador. Especially since Golds these days are getting upgrades and lounge benefits.

Ah, well, as we say here, YMMV and "Cada uno a su gusto." In my opinion, the Hilton personnel have always been super helpful, even the time someone snatched my credit card number there and used it to charge about $4,000 for goods in US department stores. Clean, better property, well kept up, super lounge (with the ability to use shower, snack and computers even if one has checked out the same day but has a late departure.) And, at least for me, within easy walking distance of many sites and sights in Bs As.

In spite of getting a nice upgrade and lounge access as a SPG Gold, I find the Sheraton people basically lazy and often "embusteros" - they have lied to or misled me several times, and Spanish is my natal language so it is certainly not that. And the room upkeep / maintenance is sorely lacking, nothing to do with language, of course. I'm glad your experiences at the Libertad�r property have been better than mine.^

As to Pto. Madero and the Marine police, it's definitely safer there - check the BBS and see the many times people have been robbed on the streets while the cop nearby looked away or became "preoccupied," speak to taxi drivers or natives and check it out, read the newspapers. Bs As isn't Mexico City, but there's a goodly amount of petty crime, and the police are likely involved - or at least bought off.

Bump...I am going Dec 27th-Jan 5th.

From the friends who live in BA, I can verify that if you live in the area that the marine police cover, you're in very good shape. I've stayed at the Sheraton once, and wasn't impressed. I've had pretty good experiences at the Hilton. I don't find the lounge staff to the the caliber of my favorite SA Hilton, in Sao Paolo, but they're decent.

I have rented a couple of apartments in the microcentro area, and it's a decent area, but you obviously need to keep your eyes open. I just wish I could get a good apartment for $350 a month, like I used to.

I don't recall hearing about the Conrad before. That should be interesting!

Dankyone - Are you back and were you upgraded?
How was the hotel and surroundings?

I am back. I was upgraded to the executive (8th) floor as a gold on an 8 night award stay. The hotel is one of the better Hiltons I have seen, with outstanding beds/duvets/pillows. Bathrooms are large with separate tub/shower/toilet cubicle.

The executive lounge is very good, with a full breakfast including bacon and eggs every morning until 11am. Coffee/tea/soda/bottled water are available pretty much all afternoon. Free-pour (Intl F lounge style) liquor as well as wine and beer are available from 6:30pm to 9pm along with a selection of hot appetizers.

The area (Puerto Madero) was "nice" but a bit sterile and tourist oriented. It did seem very safe, but I spent almost all of my time in other parts of the city and never had any difficulties/incidents/threats of any kind. Cab rides were anywhere from 10 to 30 pesos ($3-9, roughly.)

I would have preferred to be in Recoleta, which would have implied Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, or Hotel Alvear Palace. In terms of point redemption, I was very pleased with Hilton in this case. On a subsequent visit to EZE, I would probably not want to be in Puerto Madero again, and might make a different choice.

I loved the BA Hilton and really appreciated the exec lounge. Great food and drinks. It's always fun to sample stuff that I might not have ordered off a menu.

What's the best way to go between the Hilton and the Hyatt Palacio Duhau, and what does it cost? (Doing due diligence, I know in 2005, GUWonder said you provided the answer to such questions in the South America forum, but I can't find the post.)

Thank you.

A nice walk or a taxi that shouldn't be more than a few dollars.