Buenos Aires
With the grim days of economic austerity measures enacted in 2001 far behind, Buenos Aires locals are back to what they do best: looking stylish. This is a city where dinner and drinks start just before midnight, and where partygoers revel with European-style architecture as the backdrop.
| Readers’ Choice Four Seasons. This belle époque mansion near the exclusive La Recoleta district scored top marks. Each spacious executive suite comes with a separate working/living area tucked behind French doors. The hotel, one of Buenos Aires’ most exclusive venues for weddings and other big-ticket events, also has an outdoor pool. Rooms start at $310. www.fourseasons.com |
Sleeping
Alvear Palace. This sumptuous standby combines old-world charm with modern conveniences like cell phone rentals. Its fin de siècle Lobby Bar and acclaimed La Bourgogne restaurant are the best spots in town for rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of Argentine politics and business. Rooms start at $440.
www.alvearpalace.com
InterContinental. Conveniently located in the Montserrat area of downtown Buenos Aires, this 1930s-style hotel offers all the usual business class perks. Rooms start at $230.
www.ichotelsgroup.com
Park Tower. This high-end staple from the Starwood group offers spectacular city and river views from the upper floors. Rooms start at $400.
www.luxurycollection.com
Faena Hotel + Universe. This Philippe Starck velvet-and-glam hotspot is a breath of fresh air for those bored with traditional five-star luxury. Occupying an old granary in Puerto Madero, the hotel boasts a cabaret club and sends a decked-out Mercedes to pick up guests at the airport. Rooms start at $350.
www.faenaexperience.com
Coming Soon
752 Buenos Aires, a small upscale hotel slated to open this year, promises sleek and modern details, while the sumptuous Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt will feature an underground art gallery, wine library with cheese room and terrace dining overlooking landscaped gardens.
Relaxing
Aqua Vita Medical Spa. An ultra-professional staff offers the latest treatments at this sanctuary. Get a full detox session with the anti-stress day package for $134, or try a one-hour steam bath and deep-tissue massage
for $38 (Arenales 1965, Recoleta,
Tel: 54 11 4812 5989).
www.aquavitamedicalspa.com
Eating
Casa Cruz. This culinary darling delivers superb food and some of the coolest décor in the city. Despite its dark interior, it’s a great place for spotting local celebrities. Reservations at this unmarked venue, tucked behind polished brass doors, are essential (Uriarte 1658, Palermo Viejo,
Tel: 54 11 4833 1112).
Nectarine. This little-known gem on the first floor of an art nouveau house offers modern French cuisine with a menu that changes every six weeks and a wine list to satisfy even the pickiest connoisseur (Vicente López 1661, Recoleta, Tel: 54 114813 6993).
Thymus. Young chef Fernando Mayoral has won numerous accolades for his dishes with yacaré (alligator), pacú (tropical fish) and other exotic ingredients served in the former studio of sculptor Martín Vergara (Lerma 525, Palermo, Tel: 54 11 4772 1936).
Lomo. Yes, the specialty here is steak, but the ambience in the rooftop dining area is much snazzier than what you’ll find at an Argentine parillada (barbeque) (Costa Rica 4661, Palermo, Tel: 54 11 4833 3200).
Drinking
The coolest place to sample Argentine wines is Gran Bar Danzon, with more than 200 bottles on offer. The bar can be hard to spot as there is no sign outside, but once inside, you’ll find it full of young sophisticates (Libertad 1161, Tribunales). A great spot for after-work drinks is Opera Bay, a Puerto Madero restaurant, bar and dockside dance club. And for classic elegance merged with modern art, don’t miss Milión, spread over three floors in a restored art nouveau house with an outdoor garden (Paraná 1048, Recoleta).
Shopping
For fashionistas, the screamingly hip district of Palermo Soho is the place to check out the work of young Argentine designers. The best talents in women’s fashion include Nadine Zlotogora (El Salvador 4638) and Mariano Toledo (Armenia 1564), while stylish men should head to Hermanos Estebecorena (El Salvador 5960) or the post-industrial warehouse of Etiqueta Negra (Dardo Rocha 1366).
| Downtime First, There Was Polo: Before funky bars and hipsters flooded into Palermo, the neighborhood was best known for its polo matches. The season runs March-May and September-December, with some of the most daring moves on display at the Campo Argentino de Polo. (Avenida del Libertador y Dorrego, Tel: 54 11 4372 3612) For those looking to partake in the action, head 30 minutes out of the capital to El Metejón, Vicente Casares, where a full day costs $300. Tel: 54 2226 432 260, www.elmetejon.com.ar |