Globalista

Buenos Aires is one of Latin America’s great cities, and yet it’s nothing like Latin America. Grand boulevards of fine belle époque architecture recall Paris, there are theatres and museums to rival London, and Porteños (the residents) dash about with the frenzy of New Yorkers. But as darkness falls the entire city succumbs to the sweet smoky aroma of steak sizzling over wood grills, the strains of melancholic tango are carried on the warm night air from taxi radios and the atmosphere is unmistakeably Argentine.

The city’s rich history is palpable everywhere, from the Plaza de Mayo where grandmothers of ‘The Disappeared’ still march and the Casa Rosada from which Evita once addressed the masses, to the smart reclaimed docks area of Puerto Madero, where Argentine beef was exported and now chic restaurants thrive. Our guide has all the best hotspots; from the most historic hotel address to boutique boltholes, unpretentious, atmospheric parillas to members-only clubs and cool trips out of town to the estancias and beyond. Sophisticated, complex and immediately beguiling, the city (like the tango) will draw you in and compel you to stay. Allow at least three days at the start of your trip, and prepare to fall in love.

You can preview the Best Hotels featured in our Globalista Report below. Or buy the full Globalista Report for this destination, available at the bottom of the page.

Your first choice is between the sumptuous 1930s Alvear Palace and the sleek, luxurious Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau. The Alvear exceeds its lofty reputation with glinting marble foyers, Louis XVI furnishings, faultless service, posh teas in the Orangerie (with tinkling piano and gloved waiters), and an old-school French restaurant, La Bourgogne. Your personal butler sets up wi-fi before whisking your suit away to iron it, and the new spa (though small) has a good gym and expert treatments. Stay here if you want to be a part of the most historic address in town. Just a block away, still on Avenida Alvear, the Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau has been converted with great panache from a private family mansion, preserving classical grandeur in the main building while a new annexe in the tiered gardens offers beautifully designed minimalist rooms which are actually comfortable: an altogether glossier and more modern experience than the Alvear, with an excellent spa to match.

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"Globalista guided us unerringly to the coolest new BA boutique hotel, (Legado Mitico), and an equally delightful old estancia, (Dos Talas), on the pampas. It was hard to choose from the impeccably sourced restaurants in the Globalista guide, but OSAKA, (Peruvian/Japanese fusion) was definitely our favourite."

Jane Stonborough,co-founder of handbag company, Pochette-a-Porter

Globalista’s Pick of the Press

07 June 2009 - The New York Times - In Buenos Aires, A Revival
12 July 2009 - The New York Times - Buenos Aires Spotlights It's cafes
22 April 2009 - The Guardian - The Buenos Aires gourmet taxi challenge
24 January 2009 - The FT.com - Argentina’s Jewish heritage
10 January 2009 - The Independent - 48 hours in Buenos Aires

See the full archive of travel press articles for Buenos Aires.

Visit our Travel Journal for a recent article on Casa Coppola Jardin Escondido

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