The best high-end hotels in Buenos Aires according to the experts
Though there are plenty of luxurious places to stay in the Paris of South America, our experts have narrowed it down to 10 of the finest.
As the most European city in South America, Buenos Aires has more than its fair share of upmarket hotels. Our Experts’ Choice winners, chosen based on multiple reviews in major travel guides, magazines, newspapers, and other respected publications, range from the traditional opulence of the Four Seasons to the high style of the Faena to the boutique intimacy of the Magnolia Hotel.
Set in the Tudor Revival mansion that was once the home of the illustrious Duhau family, this five-star hotel features lavish touches in the form of original artwork, red marble floors, and crystal chandeliers. A contemporary addition caters to guests with a modern sensibility, and high-ceilinged rooms have hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, and free WiFi. Don’t miss the Oak Bar, where you can sip whiskey amidst carvings from a 17th-century castle in Normandy.
There’s a reason politicians, celebrities and royals favor the Alvear Palace: its sumptuous decor (think towering ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and a spectacular lobby bar) takes guests straight back to the glory of 1920s Paris. Other perks include flawless service, a fabulous location in the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood, ornate rooms with whirlpool baths, and amenities like free WiFi, a free breakfast buffet, a champagne bar, and a magnificent full-service spa.
Housed in a repurposed grain silo designed by star architect Phillipe Starck, this ultra-chic retreat in Puerto Madero Este offers simple but tasteful contemporary rooms, a Miami Vice-esque swimming pool-bar, a 400-bottle wine cellar, and a dramatic red and black color scheme that evokes drama and sexiness. As the brainchild of fashion guru Alan Faena, it attracts an ultra-stylish clientele, thanks also to its high-end molecular cuisine restaurant and top-notch spa.
Accommodating guests from Madonna to Fidel Castro, it’s no wonder the Four Seasons is often regarded as the best hotel in Buenos Aires. Choose from rooms in the gorgeous 1920s Belle Epoque building or bask in modern elegance in the contemporary 12-floor tower. Outdoor spaces, including the beautifully landscaped gardens, the rooftop terrace, and a heated Romanesque pool, are particularly impressive, and every amenity is an ode to comfort and luxury. Other pluses: La Mistral, the in-house restaurant serving fine Mediterranean cuisine, and an attractive location in the Recoleta shopping district.
Despite its busy downtown location, Casa Calma is an oasis of serenity with a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic and a healthy dose of new-age charm. Eco-conscious guests appreciate that it’s the city’s first carbon neutral hotel, and those in search of a respite from the metropolitan chaos like the ambient forest sounds in the hallways, the top-tier massage and wellness treatments, and the optional in-room sauna and jacuzzi.
On the south side of the city in the picturesque Montserrat district, the Moreno boasts spacious, Art Deco-style suites with 13-foot ceilings, plush fabrics, and subtle vintage accents. Rooms range in size from large to larger, with a jacuzzi loft at the top of the scale. The rooftop terrace has magnificent views of the city and the Rio de la Plata, and the in-house restaurant/wine bar is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Every night, the basement bar features live jazz and exquisite cocktails.
A cozy, private, four-star hotel in the heart of Palermo Soho, this art-nouveau style property has inviting rooms with antique furniture, wood floors, balconies or patios, flatscreen TVs, and free WiFi. High ceilings, a wrapped staircase, and original stained glass capture the spirit of old Buenos Aires, while red walls, cowhide rugs, and leather sofas offer plenty of contemporary comfort. The outdoor terrace, which has a grill and plenty of plush places to sit, is a special treat.
Located in the hip Palermo Hollywood neighborhood, Fierro is a four-star hotel with high-end amenities and an unpretentious vibe. Besides free WiFi, Nespresso machines, a spa, a sauna, and a rooftop pool, its sleek decor and 27 soundproof rooms are the epitome of low-key luxury. Food lovers appreciate the fabulous in-house restaurant, Hernan Gipponi, where guests enjoy a generous complimentary breakfast every morning - and can indulge in optional 7-course fusion feasts in the evening.
Set on a quiet, tree-lined street in one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods, this prime boutique hotel has 9 celebrity-themed suites that somehow manage to celebrate cultural icons like Evita Peron, Diego Maradona, and Che Guevara without being kitschy or camp. It also has one of the loveliest sitting rooms in town, complete with gorgeous wood floors, deep leather sofas, and towering bookshelves, not to mention free WiFi, a garden, and a rooftop deck with a six-person jacuzzi.
