Have a last minute trip to Argentina! Arriving in BA the morning of Dec 31.

2 questions:

1) I am deciding between 3 hotels and would like opinions:
Bisonte Palace US$88
Principado US$60
Castellar US$60

Any recommendations between these?

2) Also any suggestions for New Year's Eve? I'm looking online but as I don't speak Spanish, I can't read most of what I'm finding.


Thanks!
Susan

Susan/Pauli:

Try looking for opinions about those hotels on the tripadvisor forum

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...Argentina.html

by using the search feature under the green bar

and/or post the same question there

You are apparently coming solo, or rather (in Spanish) "sola".

Today's local newspapers have several ads for New Year's Eve dinners, but I don't know what you want and I'm not sure about how a "sola" traveler would "fit" in these places, on New Year's Eve. Maybe you could join Pauli, who is posting about the same question.

Tell me what you found online that seemed interesting and I'll give you a brief translation, or I'll tell what I see in today's newspapers.

For next week, take a look at my "The REAL Buenos Aires" thread, in case you find it of interest.

Hola Susan.The hotel Castelar is a nice place to stay.It's located over the livily street"Av.de Mayo" which is close to everything.Besides it has an spa service and has been visited for well known people for example the famous spaniard writter García Lorca.
For New year's eve there are many places to go ,some of them even offer Dinner tango show as well ,but it is necessary make a reservation in advance.
If you need any help I would be happy helping you.
Suerte.
Roberto
[email protected]

Thanks. I made a reservation at the Principado - even though it wasn't on Trip Advisor.

Re New Year's Eve, is there a public celebration? I live in New York and in addition to the "ball dropping" which I have never been to (even though I live right by Time Square), we also have dancing, a 5k race and great fireworks over central park - all open to the public.

Ideally I would like to do something nice beforehand (but yes I will be sola so I don't want to go someplace where I feel uncomfortable). A tango dinner is a good idea. I did that before in BA so I was thinking I might want to do something different but this is very BA, so I am considering doing it again.

Another possibility is a performance at Teatro Colon. Website is in Spanish but it looks as if there is not a performance that night. Teatro San Martin I couldn't figure out.

One other option is jazz club.

Any suggestions appreciated! Thanks.

The Principado has one review on tripadvisor and it is good. The forum comments (several) are also reasonably favorable, so you may have chosen well.

There could be something going on in the streets of BA on New Year's Eve, but I don't really know, because I have lived in the suburbs for the last 30 years.

I'm pretty sure there are no theatre performances on New Year's Eve.

Tango dinner? Jazz club? Maybe.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Happy New Year and have a good time in our town.

to Susan.
Principado nice hotel. not big. populated area. good rooms, good choice for the money.
dont like the area of the Castelar. i think that bisonte area is more for tourists, 1 block from Florida st.

a very nice hotel on Avda. 9 de Julio has an impressive new year celebration that includes a huge dinner and firework and dances on the terrace.
dont know if you have time to book. if you do contact.
Grand Boulevard Hotel
i will be going, think it will be a nice experience.

Colon will be closed till february. sorry. last performance is today and it has been cancelled because of the Cromañon tragedy

Happy new year in Argentina.
Directo +54 (11) 5222-9020

Milla -- we are going to be in Buenos Aires from February 26 through March 5. We really would like to see a performance at Teatro Colon. I've looked at the website (with my incredibly limited Spanish, at this point) and the 2005 season is posted. Do you know when the post the new season and is it possible to order tickets online?
Thank you!

All right KT:

Go to: http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar/inicio.htm

and on the right side it says "Temporada 2006" (2006 season).

I did not find any performances before March 9.

You could do the "visita guiada" (guided tour), which has been praised on several forums. There is an English version.

See: "Luego de un breve receso, las visitas guiadas se reanudarán el lunes 16 de enero, y continuarán hasta el viernes 3 de marzo en los siguientes horarios: lunes a viernes: 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.30, 15.00 y 16.00."

Your hotel should be able to help you with the guided visit.

Apparently you cannot order tickets online, but you can do so by phone. But, anyway, there seem not to be any performances during your stay.

Venta telefónica: 54 (11) 4378-7315
Fax: + 54 (11) 4378-7305
e-mail: [email protected]

Have a good time in our country and a safe trip home.

Milla and avrooster, thank you.

I have sent an email to the hotel regarding their big event. Do you think it would be fun for a single female who doesn't speak Spanish? How fancy is the dress?

I am also considering a tango show. Apparently they are rather expensive tomororw - US$150 to $200 according to my hotel! They have recommended "El Viejo Almacen". Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Well Susan, I talked to the hotel Grand Boulevard. They have your e-mail. The party starts at 9 PM with dinner and then at midnight toasts and later dancing. No formal dress required. It costs pesos 220 (about 70 bucks) and they said a solo female would feel quite OK. I think you could call them when you get here tomorrow, or even go there to take a look, because they did not say anything about being full or anything of the sort. Have a good trip.

You are so lucky to be going there. I just know you'll love BA. It is a great city. I'm envious particularly about going to a tango show. I'll be having a few neighbors in and probably be in bed by 10!!! Have fun for me.

avrooster -- thank you so much for your response. We definitely plan on doing the guided tour of Teatro Colon. I am sorry we'll be in Buenos Aires just a bit too early for any performance there.

Well, I'm dying for an update from SusanC. How did it go????

SharonG: have you tried the tripadvisor.com Argentina forum? I believe it is informative+a lot of fun.

Is that where she posted her report??

No, as far as I know, SusanC has not posted a trip report yet. However, the fact that she is a frequent poster suggests that she probably will do so in this forum.

Most of my trip was Patagonia (15 days) but for the BA discussion above:

Stayed in the Principado - it was fine so I made a reservation for when I returned to BA for my last day. Excellent location.

New Years - did go to Tango Show - not the most recommended / expensive one but one for US$120 - something like Castellanos(?). I really enjoyed it, met lots of fun people, danced on stage and had way too much malbec.

BA - my first day was essentially a loss as flight was delayed, luggage was lost and I had to deal w/ that and go shopping and figure out New Years. The last day of my trip I went to the Modern Art Museum and walked around Puerto Madryn. Weather was great.

Not the best trip report on BA b/c the main focus of this trip was Patagonia.