Given the Alvear Palace, the Four Seasons or the new Park Hyatt for one week: Which to choose for a first trip to Buenos Aires fall of 2007?

As usual, my vote goes to the Alvear, which is wholly owned by Argentines. It has the best location and its only comparative weakness could be the lack of an outdoor pool, which would be relevant only during our summer, not at the time of the year you plan to come.

I stayed at the Four Seasons last year and loved it. I must have been really impressed with the bathroom because I just found the pictures from that trip and there were quite a few of the "facilities".

Hi
We were at the Hyatt yesterday, had tea out on the terrace. I would definitely stay there. Not to mention the neighborhood is wonderful..but then, there are so many wonderful neighborhoods in BsAs.
We had dinner at the Four Seasons a few nights ago, Le Mistral, if you go there, stay and see the small Tango show that they have after..

Hey Scarlett, are you having a wonderful time? Isn't BA great?

We just returned from Buenos Aires and visited the Park Hyatt. There is a new wing and an older, but beautifully revamped wing. The hotel looked lovely and the location is great. Check out www.tripadvisor.com for comments but my second choice and in the same area is Alvear Palace.

Hi Sharon, we are home now. When the un-packing is all done and Pup is completely sure that we will not leave again soon, I will sit down and do a Trip Report.
It was Fabulous!

We were taken to the Hyatt by a friend we made in BA..his family owns buildings in the city and he knew everyone and took us all over the place..quite a treat. He told us about the building the Hyatt is in now, how it looked like the building next door before it was renovated...an old mansion in need of love and affection
I wanted the Murano lamps in the lobby,lol, we loved sitting out on the terrace and having drinks , the gardens are very beautiful. The service was perfect and the staff (that we met ) were gracious and very professional.

The Hyatt sounds lovely! I assume that one could go there for drinks, etc. ? In what neighborhood is the Hyatt? We have booked an apartment in Recoleta.

Recoleta. Avda. Alvear & Montevideo.

Yes, you can go for drinks, tea or lunch.
It is in a wonderful location, as AV has posted..if you are staying in Recoleta, you can walk there. It is a few blocks from the Alvear Palace Hotel.
I have a photo of the gardens but just google it, there is a lovely website.
Bring me back a lamp from the lobby, would you?

Scarlett, As much as I anticipate enjoying Argentina, I would like to be able to leave without being detained for stealing lamps!

Topping this for oceanrockview and KathyM, I just saw your response! LOL no, I would not want you detained for stealing a lamp for me

I agree with avorooster, the Alvear Palace Hotel is the Grand Dame of Buenos Aires. A classic, location is very good, and has more "soul" and history than any of the other hotels. The other hotels are very good of course but could be in any city. I guess at the end of the day is a personal choice for some people.What I like of the Alvear might be totally irrelevant.

How is the Park Tower?

It's a Sheraton and maybe at a slightly lower quality level than the other hotels mentioned here and the location is not so good. However, if you get to stay there on points or that kind of thing, take it.

My vote is for the Sofitel in Recoleta. It is one of the finest hotels I have ever visited. The rooms are large, the staff friendly and helpful and the location wonderful. Read the reviews at Tripadvisor.com and see for yourself.

If the Park Tower is not at a good location, how is the Hilton in Buenos Aires? or Marriott?

The Hilton is in Puerto Madero. The area is newly developing and , while relatively safe, is somewhat sterile (not much street life).....You could walk or take a cab to nearby areas without a problem.

The Marriot is located on Plaza San Martin in the downtown area, near the end of the pedestrian shopping street (Florida). The downtown area is not as desireable as Recoleta, where the Alvear, Park Hyatt, and Four Seasons are located.