Buenos Aires – steak dinners that cost $40.00, an incredible bottle of Malbec & a the city doesn’t sleep (be prepared, neither will you.) Cabs are plentiful, inexpensive and it’s summertime! Leave your down jacket at home. Called the “Paris” of South America, the exchange rate makes it one of the few affordable places in the world. Eat late, take tango lessons, shop for bargains, eat dulce de leche in any form  & visit the awesome cemetery (yes, really.) Get into the passionate spirit that defines the people of Buenos Aires.

Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern or do you prefer a quiet and romantic hotel?  Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two. You will see an M (married), S (single), or an MS, (married/single) next to each hotel.

Where2Stay : 

Hotel Pulitzer – Located in “Little Paris”, the micro center of BA, this modern hotel is a find. Lounge around the pool, relax in your cool black tiled bathroom & enjoy the view from the lounge. Value (S)

Algodon Mansion – The first & only Relais et Chateau Hotel in BA & on Conde Nast 2011 Hot List.  An incredible mansion that comes w/personal butlers, rooftop pool, sky bar and to die for suites. You may not leave. But the “Madison Ave” of BA is outside your door.  (MS)

Mio Buenos Aires Hotel- the first “Wine Themed” hotel located in upscale Recoleta owned by the Catena wine producing family. Luxurious beds & thick doors made out of wine barrels & bathtubs carved out of wood makes this hotel a  hip addition to the BA scene. (MS)

Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau – Do you dream of sleeping in a palace? Dreams can come true! Consisting of two buildings, one the original palace resplendent with gold, chandeliers, and period decorated rooms (with fabulous bathrooms) & its modern hotel counterpart connecting thru underground walkways or gardens. Underground, view their modern art collection, jambon & cheese bar, flower shop & spa. Comprising a city block, the garden consists of waterfalls, white leather lounges & outdoor dining area. Love the look! Service is unparalleled! (SM) 

Home Boutique Hotel- Birds chirping, grass, a backyard in a city!  Stay at Home and feel like you are in the country. Located in trendy Palermo (the SoHo of BA) the owner created a boutique hotel, an oasis for friends w/out forfeiting the necessities, like a bar, pool and spa. The first “green” hotel” in BA. (SM)

Faena Hotel Buenos Aires – Conde Nast Gold Winner. Think St. Tropez sizzle, dine in their white dining room, be seen poolside & don’t miss their Rioja Tango  show. Best in town! (SM)

Where2Dine

Cabana Las Lilas - Sit outside w/views of the port. Packed, busy & noisy . Crizia - So chic. Serving Mediterranean food – modern, romantic, hip & cool. Chila - French fine dining on the water with a lovely atmosphere. Fervor - Steaks, fries & extensive wine list, noisy and fun. Tegui- global cuisine, spicy, sexy & stunning. Open kitchen, food as art. L’Abeille- Small, dark, sleek & romantic. For the night owls, cocktails and oysters!  Faena Hotel Library Lounge- Post tango show with live music. If you’re really lucky you might be asked to sing with the band. Stop by Gran Bar Dazon for that martini  & mingle w/the elite. Best steak head to La Cabrera in Palermo.

Where2Shop – Recoleta - the “Fifth Ave” of BA. Visit Tramando for local hip fashion, Breeder’s, (Nancy Gonzales type purses) & designer mall Patio Bullrich. Stroll Calle Florida for its leather & furs (be creative, design your own)  Special find – shop owner Bettina Rizza will make you anything and deliver it to your hotel! Now that’s service! Lunch in cool cafes in Palermo Soho and shop the boutiques.

What2Do

Plan a day in each area – La Boca, Palermo Viejo, Puerto Madero, San Telmo (Sunday St Fair) & upscale Recoleto. The Cementerio de la Recoleta is a must see & for the Evita fans, visit her famous balcony. Drink espresso at the famous Cafe Tortoni. DO NOT MISS a tango show – our top secret- hire a tango instructor so at least you can pretend to look good.

z

All this dancing makes one hungry.

Where to Dine:

• Cabana Las Lilas - Packed, busy & noisy. Sit in the outdoor area – view of the water. Renowned for great steaks. Very international crowd.
• Crizia- So chic. They nailed it!!! Serving Mediterranean food in an exquisite setting, it’s modern, romantic, hip & cool. A restaurant that has atmosphere and exceptional food. Wow – if I had a great date – it would have been perfect.

• Park Hyatt Wine/Cheese Bar - Perfect cheese and wine pairings. Worth all the calories.

• Chila - French. Fine dining on the water with a lovely atmosphere. Quiet and more subdued, perfect after staying up the night before.
• Fervor - Casual Brasserie. Steaks, fries & extensive wine list… Noisy and fun. 
• Tegui- Global Cuisine. Spicy, sexy ,stunning. Open kitichen, food as art, expensive

• L’Abeille- Do you want your own private intimate lounge?  This is it. Small, dark, sleek & romantic. A very late night place. Perfect for a trieste!
• Faena Hotel Library Lounge- Post tango show with live music. The later the better. Crowded, cool and very international. If you’re really lucky you might be asked to sing with the band (like Jane)

• Tango & Tango - Here it is – our top secret – if you go to Argentina - hire a tango instructor – we used this company – professional, fun and made us look good on the dance floor. A restful moment after the last 3:00 a.m. tango dance!!!!

Buenos Aires – exciting, seductive and mysterious. Great food, unique shopping, with a great exchange rate.  What more could you ask for?