ALadyNCal

To say I have spent days on the computer researching is not an exxageration. I only recently discovered this forum and could certainly use help.

First, the reason I am having such a hard time choosing is that we are a group of 5 adults, my husband and I, his mother, and my parents (my parents have little travel experience and are 70+). I am worried because I am choosing 3 rooms for 3 nights for all of us. If were just the two of us, I could've chosen in a heartbeat.

I would like the Loisuites Recoleta, but that is more than my budget. I have emailed Cintia and she said I should concentrate on Plaza San Martin ~~~ which sent me off for more and more hours of research. She did recommend Argenta Towers, but it looks big and bland. I was tempted by NH Florida, but she said the area isn't good to walk around at night. I don't want to keep bothering Cintia with questions on individual hotels. Hopefully I can make a final choice and then have her book it for me (along with her city tour).

Soooooooooo, I'm back to the Recoleta area. I have tried to research some of the hotels noted in other posts. Every time I do research I come across another hotel to check out.

I was thinking of booking at the Etoile, but so many have said it needs renovating and I think their online photos are very discouraging. So I guess I have another short list now...

Hotel Bel Air (one of the bigger rooms)
ArtSuites
Plaza Francia

I have not been able to determine which of these is best located (ie. closest to the Loisuites Recoleta and Etoile).

I am trying to stay under $90 per room per night, including the 21% tax.

I would soooo like to finalize this hotel dilemma for BA. I haven't even started my research for the 2 nights in Santiago, Chile! lol

Thanks so much for any help.

drdawggy

Argenta Tower is not big, but it is bland.

NH Florida is not as nice as NH Jousten or NH City. I would not worry too much about walking around, although I don't pearticularly like the downtown area.......

Loisuites Esmeralda or Loisuites Arenales are in the San Martin area reccomended by Cintia and cost far less than Loisuites Recoleta.

In Recoleta, the Etoile is run down and the Francia is worse. Loisuites Recoleta is indeed more expensive.

ArtSuites is about 4 blocks from the main tourist spots in Recoleta....Bel Air about the same....but it enjoys a nice location near Plaza Vicente Lopez....

Cintia used to be able to book the Belair at a good rate. I'm not sure if she has a similar relationship with the Art Suites management...but you can get a discount at Art Suites by paying cash.....

ALadyNCal

I am on the verge of having Mike @ Apartments BA book the ArtSuites for our three rooms/three nights.

I have gotten caught up in looking at the studio apartments on his website ;-)

If we were to get studio apartments, vs a hotel, do you think there are any disadvantages besides a) inclusive breakfast waiting when we get up, and b) being able to ask the hotel staff for assistance (being first timers to the city)?

It "seems" that being able to get 3 studios in one building at a savings would be a great idea.

Anything wrong with my 'plan'?

Thx

drdawggy

I dont see a problem with your plan....and, in fact, there are some nice bonuses....

Art Suites are one bedrooms not studios....spacious and nice....

The staff speaks English and offer great advice for first timers....

Breakfast is not large, but is served each morning in your room at a time you designate....juice, toast or media lunes, juice, etc.....

downside? No pool or gym. No restaurant on premises.

www.artsuites.com.ar

ALadyNCal

I am going to email Mike. I have made two selections from his site. a) 3 studios in the same building and b) a 3 bedroom apt.

I will verify with him if either location is superior to the other and that both have a good selection of shops & restaurants nearby.

Thank U

skvarme

If you end up booking with Mike I would love to see how it goes. I have read good things about his services, but then I came across a posting questioning if he was postings these nice things himself. It seems to me that the people posting the nice things are legitimate. I would love to hear back if you use him, though.

ALadyNCal

He has handled the booking for our three hotel rooms. We travel in a few weeks. I will post a follow up in early March when I return.

He has been prompt and helpful thus far.

I was leery of the recent remarks on the travel agency, so I have not used them to book any tours.

doledrums

I think a 3 b/r makes the most sense. Cheaper and everybody is together. Also check out buenosairesapartments.com. Get one in Recoleta, probably makes the most sense

drdawggy

RE concerns about apartmentsba and the legitimacy of positive posts. Keep in mind that even the best companies, hotels, airlines,etc have an occasional dissatisfied customer. Look at the experiences of several people over time to get a more accurate indication of how good a provider is or is not.....Cintia of Wow Argentina, for example, has had a negative post but this is more than balanced by positive to glowing reviews written over a period of years....

As one who has posted good things about Mike, I can assure you that I am in no way connected to his business and that my experiences with him have all been positive. If it will help ease concerns, feel free to email me at my hotmail address and I will provide you with my name, work address and phone number.

[email protected]

ALadyNCal

Thank you for the reassurance. I am confident about Mike and his services. He is arranging my booking with the ArtSuites (3 suites).

I decided against a 3-bedroom apt so everyone could have a little more space and privacy and my husband thought the apart-hotel was a good choice.

Mike stated in his email and I think it has been mentioned on this board that he isn't really involved directly with the travel agency now, but concentrating on the apartments, etc.

I chose not to book a tour with the travel agency because a) I don't know anyone there and Mike wasn't handling it, b) the email I received was fairly confusing as to what pricing it was quoting (hard to tell between USD and pesos), and c) I have been emailing Cintia and feel that she has provided several replies to me and that it would be prudent to book with her.

I don't want to cast a negative shadow on the travel agency, I just had much more feedback and correspondence with Cintia.

nicki_london

I've just got back from B.A. and we stayed in the Park Chateau which is just on the edge of Recoleta. You can book direct on the wesite www.parkplazahotels.com and when I went it worked out at about $100 per night if you include the tax and this also included airport transfers, so if you take that in to account you'll be within your budget. The hotel is quite small but the rooms are a decent size and clean. One of their other hotels, the Park Plaza is also in Recoletta. I don't know anything about the places your thinking of but I was very happy with the Park Chateau, so have a look on the website and see what you think!