Buenos Aires
 

I'm thinking of doing a mileage run in a few weeks to EZE. With all the turmoil, I'm wondering if it's safe to stay downtown for two or three nights. Anyone been there lately? Hotels to recommend?

Thanks.

EZE seems like an odd place for a mileage run, its not all that far and prices tend to be on the higher end for both hotels (name brands) and flights? I'm curious as to why you picked BA? Nonetheless it is still a safe city and a beautiful one at that. If you're looking for extraordinary properties at high prices the Four-Seasons (old Park Hyatt) and Alvear Palace hotels are great. I recommend the Hilton myself, it is brand new and I have always been able to check-in by 11:30 a.m. its location and price, relative to everything else, is also a selling point.


[This message has been edited by cmhua777 (edited 07-29-2002).]

I was is EZE past May, it is fine and dandy place. You could stay at Sheraton, etc. I have also stayed at a small hotel in Recoletta area http://www.hotelplazafrancia.com/ which is good while on a non-expense trip http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
Do check out some decent restaurants at Puerto Meadra (sp?) This place is by the docks.

[This message has been edited by akhullar (edited 07-29-2002).]

I visit Argentina on vacation about once a year. Last visit was January. Since then the local currency is about FOUR times weaker than it was then. Do that Math. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Must be the cheapest sophisticated country on earth to visit now, and of course it is safe in the main tourist areas. I like the 2 Sheratons downtown. The Manuel Tienda airport bus stops very close to the larger one. And that costs a pittance from EZE which is a lonnnng way out.

Had a trip there booked for next month, but made it Chile instead, but we will go back to EZE for Xmas I think, seeing the currency is so weak. Does anyone know ANY of the decent downtown hotels that quote rates in local currency? Booking anything in $US will of course cost now what it did a year back, which is dumb, and someone must offer deals to locals in local currency? Buy a few nice leather jackets at $50-$75 each and your airfare is covered. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

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~ Glen ~

The Hilton is sleek, new and modern. Rooms are large with great bathrooms and USA style amenties. It is near the walking part of town along the water. I ate a great steak, Hilton recommended the place and had a great red wine called "Trapiche" for about 70USD at the time. Should be much less now. Be wary of taxis into town and negotiate with them beforehand.

Hilton is rather on an islated area other side of the canal. It does look nice at night from this side of Porto Medare (sp?)

Check out Brazil--the value of the Brazilian Real is at an alltime low to the dollar.

Buenos Aires is a great. I did a weekend run a few weeks ago and liked it so much that I'm going back this weekend.

As far as I could tell, the downtown area is perfectly safe - very few signs of the political unrest from months past. The peso is still incredibly devalued, so you will find great deals on just about everything.

And its not too bad for a mileage run - I'm going from MIA for around 8800 status miles R/T for about $500. From PHL, you'd be looking at more like 11,000 miles through MIA. Granted its no SIN run, but not too shabby.

Yes, it's definitely worth a run to me. Through DFW, I'll earn over 13,000 miles toward status and over 26,000 with the EXP bonus. At about $550, it's around .02 per mile. Not sure why someone earlier in this thread questioned my logic - probably hadn't thought it through themselves. Glad to hear that things are relatively quiet these days. I've been to BA twice before (most lately last November, along with Iguazu Falls) and enjoyed it both times. Thanks for your input.

I spent 3 days in BA in mid June, 4 days over last weekend, and am going back for a week in mid August. From SFO it's a great mileage run, since I can easily get upgraded on the domestic segment (SFO-MIA, UA, 777). The peso is continuing to deteriorate (officially about 3.6/$), but restaurants and shops will give you a better rate. In fact on the last visit I didn't convert or use pesos at all - everyone is happier to be getting dollars, since they don't devalue. It's a little confusing with prices because the symbol for peso is $ (a holdover from when the peso was pegged to the dollar).

The Hilton in Puerto Madera is a great place to stay - the hotel is only 2 years old, and if your are Gold or Diamond, you'll get upgrade to the Executive floor with no problem (due to the high vacancy). I've paid $86/night, booking via Hilton's web site, and you should also be able to get a good rate directly with the hotel as well. You can get much cheaper hotels, but everyone will want to quote you in dollars. The staff there are incredibly nice,and one of the best hotel experiences I've had anywhere.

The Hilton is close to many great restaurants, including Cabana Las Lilas, simply one of the best steak restaurants in the world. Expect to spend about $20 for a truely great meal.

Cab fare using Manuel Tienda was 33 pesos ... Locally made clothing, including leather goods is incredibly cheap.

No signs of political unrest.

John

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From a kiwi who can fly!

Actually the use of the "$" for the Argentine Peso has nothing to do with its former coupling with the US$. Many Latin American countries (and also Portugal) have used the symbol to denote their currency for many decades now.

Track .. yes, since the 1930's in the case of Portugal & Cols. :-)

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~ Glen ~

From what I hear from colleagues in BUE, there are two hotel rates quoted - one for iternational visitors and one for locals. With a bit of negotiating you should be able to get something close to the local rate at one of the smaller hotels, ie not the Hilton. The Hilton is great I must say, have stayed there the last three times I was in BUE.

One hotel you may want to check is the Claridge - it's in a great area, is an older hotel but recently rennovated. I believe it has a 5 star rating, and I think you can get a cheap rate there.

For restaurants, I second the previous opinion on Cabana Las Lilas - truly superb!

CanGuy

Has anyone stayed at the Claridge? I'm heading down in October and this is the most reasonable 5-star property listed on most sites, by a lot.

What is "a lot"?

When I booked, the Hilton was $90US. How much more do you think you can save?