Hi - I will be traveling for 8 days in July, split between Buenos Aires and Mendoza.

Regarding the Sofitel Madero: (1) what's the neighborhood like (2) is there a huge advantage of the suite at $175 vs regular room a $110 (3) any otehr advice about what room to ask for at the hotel?

Regarding Mendoza: (4) any advice on a nice hotel with luxurious rooms - looking for something a little smaller and more quaint than the Hyatt and (5) are vineyards open for tours this time of year?

Thanks to the great people of this board for any help!

Hi, I stayed at the Hotel Madero in January. The hotel is new and the rooms are comfortable. I would think that if you're only going to be there for a few days there is no need to spend the extra money for the suite. The area around the hotel is quite nice. It is the old port which has been redeveloped into a neighborhood of apartments, hotels, restaurants and stores. It's quite safe, clean and quiet. Most of the sights are a very quick and very cheap taxi ride from the hotel. There is also a large nature reserve a couple of blocks away from the hotel which is nice for taking a walk. I also went to Mendoza but I stayed at the Hyatt so I can't tell you much about alternatives. The vinyards are open and I hired a car for the day and went to three. The hotel arranged the car as well as the reservations for the tours. It was a very enjoyable and interesting experience. Have a good time.

Sofitel. Standard rooms are quite large by Buenos Aires standards. For a few days there is no need to ask for an upgrade. I prefer the roomos in front, with a view of the dock/waterway. Rooms on the back overlook an interior courtyard...nice, but not as scenic as rooms on the front....The area is Puerto Madero, the newest Barrio in Buenos Aires....and one of the safest because there is private security as well as the regular police force....

Sorry, I can't give much more help regarding Mendoza. Do a search on Fodors if you decide you need a travel agent...there are several names that come up time and again....Cintia and Mayra at the top of the list. Be careful when you select, not all agents are dependable.

Thanks for all the help, especially the advice about asking for a front room at the Sofitel. I have emailed Cintia twice, but no reply. Guess I'll try Mayra.

We were in Mendoza a few months ago for 5 days. I would highly recommend staying at Club Tapiz. It's a small boutique hotel with a vineyard and wonderful restaurant. They produce their own wine and have wine/cheese tasting every evening for their guests. Fantastic value for the money. It was our favorite accommodation during our 3 weeks in Argentina.

You can read my trip report on this site. Just click on my name and you will find it.

Initially we contacted Myra and she only replied to one of our e-mails.

I highly recommend using Isabel who is local Travel Agent at www.buenosaires-tours.com.ar. She offer's efficient, knowledgeable and friendly service. She also speaks perfect English and goes above and beyond the call off duty to help. Our trip would not have been a success without her!

about Mayra...all I can say is I have used her without complaint on several occasions. I will stay with my original recommendation. Tell her DrDawggy endorsed her service....

Since I make it a point to use agents or recommendations for restaurants, etc. on this and the other travel boards, I emailed Isabel...who lost my initial request and asked me twice for the itinerary details, complaining of server problems.

Don't misunderstand..I'm sure Isabel is a good provider most of the time....but in my case she did not deliver.....which can probably be said of all agents now and again...

Hello from Mendoza,
I can not tell you about another luxury hotel other than the Park Hyatt. My sister and I had an incredible meal at Bistro M in the Park Hyatt(and like all of Argentina, incredibly reasonable with the exchange rate). The common areas in the Park Hyatt are very charming. My sister is still lamenting that we did not stay there (it was already booked). She mentions this every time we walk by the hotel.

We are staying at the NH Hotel which is nice, clean, efficient, but not a luxury hotel.

Regarding the wineries, yes they are open. However, you need to make reservations in advance. Luigi Bosca was okay, nice grounds with a view of the Andes mountains, but I have heard that the tour and reception can be cold. (we were treated well, but our tour was arranged by a very well regarded local wine producer). I would recommend Esculherla (spelling?) which has 1884 restaurant on premises. The tour was very personable, but you want to ask to see if you can get a English tour if you do not speak Spanish. I would recommend the restaurant even if you do not visit the winery but do visit a few wineries on the same road. And, I think you definately want to visit Catena Zapata (they have a web site). People in BA and Mendoza speak of Catena Zapata with such reverence. We go there tomorrow. If you need restaurant recommendations send me a message. Take care,
Tim