BA Palermo or Recoleta hotels
 

I was originally thinking that I wanted to find a hotel in Palermo, but now I'm reconsidering Recoleta. It seems to be more centrally located and easier. We are parents with our two adult daughters (20s and early 30s). We are from San Francisco, so we like urban, but, on the other hand--like everyone--we don't want to worry about safety.

The surprise is that so many hotels that I've checked seem to be booked for the first week of January. I really wasn't expecting that. We don't want to pay a fortune, but we aren't looking for budget either. We would like a hotel where they can give us some personal service--advice about restaurants, getting around, ordering us taxis, etc. in addition to nice rooms.

Any suggestions 1) about the neighborhood and 2) about hotels?

Hello jag1jag1,

Well, I wouldn't rule out Palermo as a good neighborhood - especially Palermo Botanico and Soho. You might want to check some of the boutique hotels there. We feel quite safe in these parts of Palermo, and not far from so many lovely parks - we walk from Recoleta to Palermo easily. With young daughters, I think I would prefer this area.

However, I absolutely love Recoleta. Consider the hotel Melia Recoleta Hotel on Posadas. We stayed here out first year and it was a wonderful location, nice rooms and a terrific staff who were very helpful and English speakers. http://www.solmelia.com/hotels/argen...hotel/home.htm

Which hotels were booked already ? Perhaps we can suggest alternatives if we know where you have already checked ?

If you want to think about an apartment rental, you could consider hiring a guide for 1/2 to 1 day and then get all the personal guidance you would want.

Just some thoughts...Best,
~Marnie

I second the Melia Recoleta Plaza on Posada. We had a wonderful experience there after a terrible start to our trip at the Marriott Plaza.
You will be steps from some very good dining, ; Fervor and El Sanjuanino are a few doors to the left and to the right, around the corner and down the hill you'll find Sottovoce. There is a drop off wash,dry and fold laundry around the corner as well. We felt very safe in Recoleta..It feels like Chicago's Gold Coast or NYC's Upper East Side.The Melia is very near to the famous Alvear Hotel.
The Melia front desk kept reminding us to only get in a cab that had been ordered for us.The one time we didn't do that, we had a problem but got out to the cab.
Melia's staff were very helpful and all went the extra mile for us. Rooms were large and up to date, very quiet( ask for rooms away from street side. Breakfast was very good, a buffet with many choices.

I am now considering the Art Suites. I think that the Melia does have rooms, however, if the Art Suites doesn't work.

The Art Suites would be an excellent choice. I checked out their suites and they are quite nice, and the location is great.

The Melia, however, sounds like TANGO in the public areas :-)

~Marnie

We stayed in the Art Suites when we visited BA for the first time.
I recommend asking for the room on the top floor in the back.
It is in an excellent neighborhood/location to all Recoleta touristy sights as well as shops and cafes etc..
The Melia is on such a nice residential street ! Quiet and calm.. To avoid cab problems going and coming from hotels .. just walk to a corner and flag down a Radio Taxi.
We take taxis every day and there is no doubt we are Americans once we speak ..even if it is in Spanish : ) but I am happy to say that we have had no problems with any taxi drivers since arriving here almost 4 years ago.

jag1jag1, you are quite correct in relating that Recoleta is "centrally located and easier" when navigating by foot and/or taxi while one is in Buenos Aires. Of three of my four visits to BsAs, the most recent being May of this year (2010)--I've loved staying in this upscale barrio. I seem so safe and free and comfortable (but not complacent).

After reading your preceding posts--apparently your hotel choice is going well. January is high season in Buenos Aires, thus the reason for many of them already being fully booked.

<If you are need of an independent guide, consult with Marcelo, the guide I've used on three occasions. His contact info. is www.ciceroneba.com.ar. He's also been mentioned previously at this site, so if you are interested, do a "search" by typing in his name or his web address.>

<Marcelo, a porteno who's a certified and professional guide, advised me during my third visit to Buenos Aires that Palermo, although a wonderful community of communities, is not well situated when it comes to travel.>

And if a Free tour guide who is knowledgeable, tailors the tour to your taste and is an expert in that area, appeals to you, contact The Cicerones.
http://www.cicerones.org.ar/index_spa.php

Scarlett: I'm not sure how much choice in suites we will have, but did you have a noise issue? Is that why you suggest asking for a suite on the top floor in the back?

I will look into the Cicerones. (San Francisco has many free walking tours through City Guides. It sounds somewhat similar. Although the tours are preset, the volunteers provide information about many different neighborhoods and sights. Interestingly, most people who go on the tours are locals wanting to know more about the City.)

jagjag, I had been told before we visited that the rooms in the back were more quiet, so we just automatically asked. We heard nothing from the front(street) and had a nice view of sky and the green area .. there are always some sort of "lung" or green area/courtyards where the backs of the buildings all meet .. it was lovely to sit out on the terrace and have a drink in the early evening .. the sofa was big but not that comfortable but the tv was in the bedroom so that worked out OK .. the place is clean and roomy and the service was good.. breakfast brought to your door each morning . They make any reservations etc that you need ..

The Cicerones are great ! I always chose a volunteer organization over some tour guide business if possible.
You can get a retired professor who will share his knowledge and love for his city ..
Same thing as SF.. you choose what you want to see or what you are interested in and they have the person for you.
And you know you will get someone who has a great love of his home town : )