Hilton Buenos Aires {ARG}

Thank you again.

For me this has been a wonderful hotel. I stayed there twice several years ago. As gold on the first stay I was not upgraded to the executive floor but was given executive lounge privileges. On the second stay we were on the executive floor. My wife was quite ill on our second day and I needed to be at an event outside BA. The staff was unbelievable. I told the desk of our situation and of my necessary absence. They took better care of my wife than if she had been in a hospital. In a very discreet way they checked on her, brought her food and fresh water, and made he feel perfectly secure. I can not say enough good things about this property.

Just returned from a 6 night award stay. As a Gold, upgraded to Executive floor with lounge access. Echo the other posts; great lounge, great staff, etc. Very hot though, and how do they keep the pool water temp. so cold when it sits in the sun. Very refreshing.

Advice to novices to BA, whe you get pesos from the ATM, hae the hotel break the larger bills, and it can be difficult to get coins at the hotel, which you will need if take the public buses. Taxis are cheap, but need smaller bills for the ride.

I just had a wonderful, long stay here. I intend to write more when I have time to think about it all.

But the reason for this quick post is to report that the Hilton Buenos Aires has just gone to Point Stretcher - unannounced ahead of time - at least for February. I was there for several days, and then was extending day by day through the end of January. I was "paying" the standard 35K/night. When I went to do the same for Feb. 1-2, my jaw dropped when I saw "21,000". I would have stayed longer and longer, but had to end the dream... So, yes, now that I'm done, I'm calling attention to it. Sorry, but still, wouldn't you rather know...?

OK, one more quick thing. They actually closed the pool one day because it was "too cold". I echo tinnub's question, as the weather was quite hot, the sun quite high, and I think the pool's bottom is dark. (But I'm not sure, I didn't swim, I just saw it from the lounge terrace, and I didn't pay so much attention to that bottom.)

My search results were blank so I'll throw out a request for info : has anyone visited at the Hilton in Puerto Madero lately? I'd be interested to know if there are easily accessible washrooms on the lobby level and whether the restaurants are comparable in price to the many good eating spots nearby.

Commander Bob

If you mean handicapped, I do not know. I believe that restrooms are available on the main level since there are public facilities there.

Restaurants in international hotels are normally more expensive than on the local economy. Restaurants in Buenos Aires are exceptionally inexpensive for a major international city. Roughly 1 kilo of steak for about US$10 in September.

Plus the Hilton BA is a short walk across a bridge to some of the best steak houses in the world. Why would you eat at the hotel?

I really like the hotel and stay there as often as possible. The staff is outstanding and the exective level is simply great. Regarding restaurants, there are a lot of places near the hotel. They are fine, but grossly overpriced. It's your call, but I would avoid the area and try to find some local places that cater the normal folk.

There are bathrooms on the lobby level, but not sure they are designed for people with mobility impairments or not -.- if that's the concern, I suggest calling the hotel and asking

There are also restrooms on the 7th floor in the gym, on the 8th floor behind the Exec Floor check-in desk, and also on the level where the general business center is.

The hotel food is overpriced compared to what is available in Puerto Madero and Puerto Madero is somewhat overpriced compared to what is available elsewhere in town.

Thanks everyone. That pretty well answers my questions. I have eaten near the Hilton and know that there are a broad range of prices -from "deal" to what a local described as "Kobe".

CB

We will be staying for 7 nights this May at the Hilton Buenos Aires for business. We have booked an executive room that includes full breakfast in the hotels main restaurant. As a Gold VIP, what are the chances that we would be upgraded to a higher category? I know the executive rooms are very nice and I'm aware that the rules say no suite upgrades, but just wondering what others have experienced? Is it worth asking for at check-in, if so, do you think the chances would be better checking in at the executive lounge or at the front desk?

In my opinion, I think you may have overshot. Here's why:

Putting together what I know about Hilton, and this one, I think there's an excellent chance that you'll get upgraded to an executive floor as a Gold from whatever rate basis (maybe not PriceLine). The lounge breakfast has buffet bacon, eggs, sausage, potatoes, pancakes, grilled tomatoes, as well as cold items including lox, serrano ham and prosciutto. There are many breads, rolls and pastries to choose from, juices, and they bring you coffee or tea. In the evenings there are hors d'ouvre, empanadas, wine, beer, juices, sodas. No extra charge for alcohol. You can eat inside or outside under a wide eave, looking down one story at the pool deck and the city.

While I was there - the last week of January and first week of February - the point requirement went from 35,000 to a point stretcher 21,000 on Feb 1 without advance notice. A receptionist told me that their yield had just dropped off. Others more familiar with Bs As may comment on how that changes seasonally. This is mid-summer. (FWIW, in just trying to fly down there, I found nothing as I plotted for months, and then flights opened wide in early January. Sign of the times...)

Try to get a room on the city side of the hotel for what has to be the best view from a hotel room in Buenos Aires. You have the quays, reminiscent of the Seine, and the whole east side of the city before you, including Casa Rosada. I had 942, midway between ends of the hotel. The bed was like a cloud or a marshmallow. There are two guest computers for the executive level, and a lot of competition for them. But no problem. If they're in use, the receptionist will call downstairs to the business center to tell them that you are legit. (Beware of the elusive "@" sign.)

The only difference checking in on the eighth floor will make is avoiding a possible line downstairs, and feeling more personal. The same front desk staff rotates among the positions. So no advantage per se. They already have you in their sights.

All-in, including the peso at 3.50 to the USD - and falling - I think this must be the best time for Americans to go since 2002. Please forgive the digression if it's not useful.

(One last one: The staff watches TripAdvisor, and is very proud that they were ranked first for something by Trip. Don't remember what it was.)

You had me, until this comment - how much of the free-pour executive lounge spirits did you consume?

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
We booked the exec room/brkfst package for the same price as what their standard room is going for now. It was a great deal offered on Hilton.com several months ago and we grabbed it. They recently had quite a price increase, so needless to say, we made an excellent move while guaranteeing an executive room and daily breakfast buffet.
Just curious if anyone has had luck getting upgraded from exec rooms to higher categories. The BA Hilton has 3 room types above the regular exec rooms. Who knows, maybe we will get lucky, but probably not. Either way, I can't wait to see Buenos Aires.