hello fellow fodorites,
i need hotel help bad! i've narrowed it down (i think) to 4 hotels; "the art hotel" on azcuenaga, "1555 malabia house", "bobo" or the "bel air". i'm 45 years old - am i gonna like palermo? i hear it's an area "full of chic boutiques and cafes" - sounds great. i like to be around shops and restaurants but not right in the middle of them. a quiet street close to this kind of atmosphere is what i'm looking for. also prefer not to be right in the middle of the tourist district. i'm from san francisco and for those of you who've been here, if you could equate barrio norte, palermo and the recoleta with areas of my city it might help in my decision. i'm thinking palermo's kinda like haight street. the recoleta sounds quiet, sedate and touristy. is this true? finally, the rooms in the "bel air" appear from the website to lack the charm of the building - they look pretty sterile. how's the area of barrio norte? i believe this is where the "art" and the "belair" are.

man, this is hard trying to pick a hotel in a city you've never been! i'm so glad this forum exists!

The malabia house in palermo is great, nice building exc service. there are other bandb which are also worth: "la otra orilla" is a very nice house with wonderful hosts. for instance. The area has its own character, full of restaurants and shops.

I personally like Barrio Norte, to spot in on the map it is around Avda Santa Fe. A nice place to buy is on the one that runs paralel to Santa Fe. There you have the Argenta, nice option and the Loi suites also very good. The area is inhabited by the middle class with a good standard and no so many tourists are seen as they are in other areas.

Recoleta is the area for shopping and good restaurants. I like it though i find it too pricey too touristic.

I know it is diff to find the area you would like without knowing the city. These are all ok, dont worry. to be on the safe side take barrio norte. my place though i live in another district now. Never been to San Francisco, i am afraid.
regards, good luck.

Palermo is a huge zone, divided into several smaller areas...very different from each other. Malabia and the other BandBs are located in the more "bohemian" Palermo Viejo/Hollywood/Soho areas...a part of town that was beginning to look run down, until it was discoverd by people looking for a reasonable cost of living...lots of older buildings are being rehabed in the area and new restaurants open each week...

The more "gentrified" part of Palermo is the area nearest town around the zoo...and maybe the "chicest" area is around the American Embassy up and down Liberatdor...

Barrio Norte, which does not exist on most maps, is a catch all term used to describe the half dozen or so Barrios in and around Recoleta. The part of town Milla refers to, where the Argenta is located, is also called Retiro...and I agree with her, it is a nice area....a half step removed from the bustle of downtown and Recoleta but close by both areas....Both of the hotels she mentions are solid choices, but lack the charm of some of the other hotels on your list....but charm comes at a price...

You are right about the Bel Air's rooms. The best things about the Bel air are location, the exterior of the building and a good on-premises restaurtant....If you stay here ask for a room in front. I think they cost a little more, but they have more space.

The Art Hotel is in Recoleta, but be warned that rooms are small....but if you like quaint charm, this might be your place.

Hi, I have stayed in the BelAir and loved it , the secret is you have to ask either for a jr. suite or a suite, rooms being too small. You will love the jr. suite, it is most reasonably priced, mine had two large balcony windows, with beautiful draperies, everything was done in a very chic way. Breakfast was very good, ....a very nice boutique hotel with a good location. The Bel AIr offers a good taxi service , for a couple of dollars tops they get you anywhere.
I have not stayed in La Otra Orilla, but I have seen it , it is a quaint bed and brreakfast with a nice interior small court , very nice decorated with antiques.
I do not wish to sound like patronizing any travel agency but I made my reservatiion at the Bel Air through Cintia of Wow Argentina ( [email protected]) and through this agency I got a better rate at the Bel Air than the rack rate.
This is the way it works in Argentina. After reading your post I would highly recomend a city tour with these people, they do it on a personal basis, and they are dedicated to their job , actually is like being shown the city by an old friend. Have a great trip.

Sorry blued711 the e mail of Wow is
[email protected].