16 Best Hotels in Centro, Buenos Aires

The sleek Alvear Art Hotel is set back behind some trees on a pedestrian-only street in the heart of the city’s business district. It has a younger, faster feel than the grand dame Alvear Palace Hotel, but delivers the same top-of-the-line service. Black-and-white photos of Buenos Aires decorate the rooms, which have heavenly beds that are turned down at night, and enormous marble bathrooms. Even though it’s only a block off noisy 9 de Julio, the double-paned windows, blackout blinds, and warm color palette of tans, creams, and light green create a quiet retreat. The glassed-in pool and whirlpool tub on the 17th floor provide fantastic city panoramas.

This "wellness hotel" in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires has taken the concept of in-house spa to a new level, equipping each of its 17 rooms with jetted tubs—six deluxe rooms also have saunas where you can relax after a day of exploring the city. The vibe throughout this boutique property is eco-chic, with lounge chairs crafted from recycled fabrics and wood floors made from sustainable pine. Sleek bathrooms feature all-natural soaps, bath oils, and gels, as well as towel-warming machines and plenty of room for candles, chocolate, and champagne. An "honesty bar" lets you help yourself to juice, wine, and sweets.

Tall white columns and stately bow windows flank the entrance of the Claridge Hotel, beyond which you'll find the high-ceilinged lobby and a traditional British café and piano bar that draws a steady stream of politicians and businessmen. The brick building dates from 1946, and was built with an Anglo-Argentine clientele in mind. That feeling lingers in the spacious, elegant rooms with elegant wood furnishings and flowing draperies. The pool and spa are ideal for chilling out after a long porteño night.

Kudos go to the architect for this sleek space with spacious, loftlike rooms. The lobby's glass floor looks down to a small pool, just one example of the transparency theme that runs throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford amazing views, and mirrors have been placed for maximum effect. Rooms have rotating flat-screen TVs that let you watch from bed or from one of the leather recliners.

This futuristic hotel has a glass-covered lobby that grooves to chilled-out electronic music and a slender swimming pool that's often used for photo shoots. Sleek rooms have wood floors, streamlined furnishings, and kitchenettes with little extras like espresso machines. The cheerful staff is happy to give you a local's perspective on the best sites to visit. You're close to excellent shopping on Avenida Santa Fe and the stately Palacio Pizzurno.

Argentine icons—Eva Perón, Che Guevara, Jorge Luis Borges, among others—remind you just where you are when you stay at downtown's brashest hotel; their enormous portraits line the walls of the sleek lobby and art gallery. The spacious rooms are high-ceilinged and are decorated in muted grays and whites. Splashes of color are found in the funky throw rugs, sparkly pillows, and abstract paintings. This is one of the few downtown hotels that make a bold modernist statement, all the while gazing fondly back at Argentina's storied past. Esplendor also operates three other properties in Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, and Recoleta.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering the Hotel Emperador is its magnificently ornate lobby, replete with beautiful marble floors, plush sofas, and gurgling fountains. The rooms are equally impressive: the basic rooms are about 450 square feet, and suites are double or triple that size. The decor is classic but not stuffy. Bathrooms have separate tubs and showers and gleaming fittings. There's an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center. The 21-story building has unobstructed views of the Río de la Plata and the city skyline. The Emperador is a favorite among visiting dignitaries and executives for its low-key, high-class service.

Topped with an eye-catching rooftop pool and patio, this enormous art deco showplace is a reminder of an earlier era. In the lobby, lofty pillars support a stained-glass ceiling that filters sunlight onto white marble floors, while the contemporary rooms have dark-wood floors and color schemes that feature bold oranges, reds, and black. There's a 24-hour fitness center and a highly regarded restaurant.

Over the years this landmark has hosted some of the country's biggest movers and shakers, including Juan and Eva Perón—no surprise, since it has a presidential suite that occupies an entire floor. Built in 1928, the Spanish baroque structure has some of the most luxurious rooms in the NH chain. Rooms have big, bouncy beds and handsome wood desks; the small bathrooms disappoint, though. Suites have private terraces overlooking the city and the Río de la Plata. The lobby café sits a half story above the sidewalk and offers grand views of passersby.

This historic hotel was treated to a face-lift when it was purchased by NH Hotels, but the Spanish chain made certain to respect the Lancaster's proud past. The modern rooms and suites feature well-preserved wood floors, leather headboards, and rich splashes of color. The bright and inviting lobby has a modern bar and small café that sits in the spot where many shady political deals were reportedly sealed when the hotel also had a British-style pub. Now much of the clientele is made up of U.S. and European cruise-ship visitors and foreign business executives.

This lovely hotel has so much going for it—a historic setting, a pair of fine restaurants, a fitness room, and sophisticated rooms, for starters. Relax beside the indoor pool, work out in the fitness center, or enjoy a massage at the spa. The lobby bar is a great place for a drink; if the weather's right, sit in the courtyard, where you can forget you're in a concrete jungle. By day you can readily explore the quaint antiques shops, restaurants, and tango halls of nearby San Telmo. After the office workers head home the area is desolate; it's also on the fringe of some sketchy streets. Taxis are the way to go.

A makeover of this well-placed former Sheraton property on bustling Avenida Córdoba makes for a solid stay for both business travelers and city visitors. Spacious rooms are elegant with contemporary decor and a natural palette. Upgrade to a club category room for more breath-taking views over the city. There’s also a cocktail bar and restaurant on site.

On a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, this Spanish-owned hotel in the heart of the financial district is a good option for business travelers and cruise-ship passengers. Be sure to book a room in the newer part of the building—they're a bit pricier but worth every penny. There's a well-equipped fitness center, along with an indoor pool, sauna, and spa. The sunny breakfast and dinner rooms have nice sidewalk views for checking out passersby. The chain also has a property—Meliá Recoleta Plaza—in the heart of chichi Recoleta.

Near the famed Teatro Colón and the landmark Obelisco, the upscale Panamericano Buenos Aires has a lobby with a checkerboard marble floor that leads to large salons, a snazzy café, and conference rooms that are popular with local politicians. Rooms are spacious and elegant, with dark-wood furnishings and lavish fabrics. The top-floor pool and spa afford amazing views. Visit in the late afternoon to watch the soft pastels of a smoggy sunset give way to the neon glow on one of the world's widest avenues, Avenida 9 de Julio.

Originally built in 1909, this Buenos Aires landmark brims with old-school style—the elegant lobby, crystal chandeliers, and swanky bar evoke Argentina's opulent, if distant, past. Exploring the myriad nooks and crannies of this grand old hotel is part of its timeless appeal. Sadly, it could have been better maintained. Rooms are comfortable, if not particularly spacious. It has a quiet location at the top of pedestrian-only Florida Street overlooking leafy Plaza San Martín.

What it lacks in intimate charm, it makes up for in practicality, professionalism, and energy. There's always something happening here: a visiting dignitary, an important meeting, an international conference. Rooms are standard, clean, and well equipped, all of which explain the hotel's popularity among American business travelers.