42 Best Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This "wellness hotel" in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires takes the concept of in-house spa seriously, equipping each of its 17 rooms with jetted tubs—six deluxe rooms also have saunas where you can relax after a day of exploring the city. The vibe throughout this boutique property is eco-chic, with lounge chairs crafted from recycled fabrics and wood floors made from sustainable pine. Sleek bathrooms feature all-natural soaps, bath oils, and gels, as well as towel-warming machines and plenty of room for candles, chocolate, and champagne. An "honesty bar" lets you help yourself to juice, wine, and sweets; you can also borrow bikes.

Argentine fashion impresario Alan Faena and famed French architect Philippe Starck have created a universe unto itself with this hotel: rooms are feng-shui perfect, with rich reds and crisp whites, sporting velvet curtains and blinds opening electronically to river or city views. "Experience managers" are basically personal assistants, tending to your every whim. Other highlights are two excellent restaurants and an elaborate spa with a Turkish bath. In El Cabaret, a blood-red music box of a room, dotted with red-leather couches, you can swig champagne and watch the contemporary and sensual Rojo Tango show. Next door in the Library Lounge you never know who might show up: Coldplay and local rock legend Charly Garcia once held an impromptu jam session around the piano.  Nearby is Faena Arts Center, home to contemporary art exhibitions.

A choice lodging for travelers looking for a boutique package, all rooms boast top-of-the-line beds, spacious living areas with chaise lounges, and flat-screen TVs. Staff delivers each guest a welcome tray of treats like macarons from the hotel's restaurant, UCO. The chef's menu changes seasonally and includes legendary breakfasts and homemade charcuterie.

At Hub Porteño, nestled in an especially posh pocket of Recoleta, luxury is about more than its 11 elegant, high-ceilinged rooms—though they are replete with touches like 600-thread-count sheets, jetted tubs, and artisan-crafted furnishings like spectacular detailed mirrors, cowhide rugs, and crystal chandeliers. For owner Gonzalo Robredo, the hotel is all about his guests' full experience, both inside and out. Drawing on his background operating high-end lodges, Robredo offers prêt-a-porter experiences centered on subjects like gastronomy, modern art, and the gaucho lifestyle that connect you with city insiders like university professors, art designers, and polo stars. Hub Porteño is one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires, and the highly professional hotel staff ensures that you encounter the best of the city and its environs. Start the day with a delectable breakfast at the on-site restaurant Tarquino.

One of the city's swankiest lodgings, the Four Seasons is a magnet for the rich and famous. There's an upscale equine theme that runs throughout the property, as evident with the contemporary horse sculptures on the front lawn and the hotel's Pony Line Bar, which always attracts a smart crowd. You'll even find tiny horses in the design of the guest rooms, which are modern, bright, and luxe. Really splash out on a suite in La Mansión, tucked away behind the hotel. 

Attention to detail is key at this small boutique hotel where all of the spacious rooms are stylishly modern and minimalist and equipped with low-slung furnishings, bright wooden floors, and small bar areas. Enormous beds are topped with plush comforters and throw pillows, and bathrooms are stocked with soft bathrobes and slippers. Most rooms have balconies that offer intimate views into the Palermo Soho neighborhood. Guests also can catch fresh air on the hotel's quaint patio or the rooftop terrace, which has recliners and a large hydro-massage tub.

Every detail of this hotel, one of the most well-heeled properties in the city, emphasizes your comfort is a priority. A concierge contacts you ahead of time to begin preparing your itinerary, and, once you arrive, you're welcomed with a drink as the staff unpacks your belongings. The suites are bright and comfortable, with dark parquet floors, cream-color walls, Italian Calacatta marble bathrooms, plush bedding, and bookcases filled with photography books showcasing Argentina. The hotel often hosts events for luxury brands in the wine bar or the cigar bar.

This landmark hotel ups the ante for elegance in Buenos Aires—its two buildings, a restored 1930s-era mansion and a 17-story tower, are connected by an underground art gallery and an expansive, leafy garden that's among the city's most attractive outdoor areas. The rooms are decorated in rich wood, elegant marble, and soft-to-the-touch Argentine leather. Sip a whiskey at the Oak Bar, constructed from 17th-century carvings from a Normandy castle, or on the patio overlooking the garden. Be sure to book into the Ahín Spa (named after a Mapuche Indian welcoming ritual), which offers holistic and beauty treatments. The 3,500-bottle Wine Library is a unique attraction.

Technology is front and center at the 1828 Smart Hotel, where you're lent a tablet computer when you check in that lets you control everything in your room from the curtains to the fragrance, request room service, and order a taxi. The monochromatic design of the shiny marble lobby, where a digital baby grand piano taps out tunes on its own in the evening, extends to the rooms in gleaming white softened with touches of blue. Rooms in the rear of the hotel overlook a tempting pool with a softly cascading waterfall—at night it's beautifully illuminated. There's also a full-service restaurant and a wellness area that includes a few cardio machines. The staff is more than happy to help with restaurant recommendations and directions to the sights.

The sleek Alvear Art Hotel is set back behind some trees on a pedestrian-only street in the heart of the city’s business district. It has a younger, faster feel than the grand dame Alvear Palace Hotel, but delivers the same top-of-the-line service. Black-and-white photos of Buenos Aires decorate the rooms, which have heavenly beds that are turned down at night, and enormous marble bathrooms. Even though it’s only a block off noisy 9 de Julio, the double-paned windows, blackout blinds, and warm color palette of tans, creams, and light green create a quiet retreat. The glassed-in pool and whirlpool tub on the 17th floor provide fantastic city panoramas.

The standard-bearer for upscale sophistication since 1932, the Alvear Palace is undoubtedly the shining star of the city's hotel scene: scores of dignitaries, celebrities, and VIPs have passed through its doors over the years, and they keep coming back for the world-class service and refined atmosphere. Elegantly decorated rooms feature silky carpets, gorgeous draperies, and featherbeds topped with Egyptian-cotton linens. Guests staying in suites are received by a white-gloved personal butler who unpacks your bags, presses wrinkled clothes, and tends to your every need. The lunch buffet and afternoon tea at L'Orangerie are worth checking out.

Perfect for business travelers on extended stays, couples looking for some stretching room, or families in need of some privacy, this apartment-style hotel's accommodations are bright, roomy, and pleasant. They all have shiny wooden floors, snowy white linens, functional kitchens, and contemporary artwork. A couple blocks away is the slightly bigger Art Suites & Gallery, decorated in the same fresh, contemporary aesthetic. Both properties are located in residential pockets of Recoleta, conveniently close to the neighborhood's favorite sights, shopping, and restaurants.

In a prime location for those in town for business or pleasure, this Recoleta hotel caters equally well to both types of travelers. With a seemingly constant stream of tour groups checking in, business executives holding meetings, and celebrities trying not to be noticed, there is always something happening. Despite the constant activity, the service never falters; the highly professional staff keep things running smoothly and happily tend to everyone's needs. Although they're lacking in original style, the stately rooms have richly stained wood furnishings and marble bathrooms. A leafy, European-style garden complete with a fountain sits behind the hotel.

When the Edificio Mihanovich “skyscraper” was built in 1929, it was among the tallest buildings on the continent. After lying empty for six years, a major refurb by the Spanish Único Hotels group brought it into the 21st century, with a sophisticated and timeless design seen little in Centro hotels. Marble and wood rule the design, while the lobby’s glass roof is striking. There is also an in-house restaurant serving Argentine classics; work off lunch at the indoor pool.

A cozy boutique hotel with 22 rooms located on the historical cusp of San Telmo, Cassa Lepage uniquely brings together art and history under its roof, given that it houses its own archeology museum and art gallery featuring contemporary Argentine artists. Guests can take a guided tour of the property, then step out onto the narrow streets to be further bathed in nostalgia and history. For a touch of old-world grandeur, book a French balcony room.

Tall white columns and stately bow windows flank the entrance of the Claridge Hotel, beyond which you'll find the high-ceilinged lobby and a traditional British café and piano bar that draws a steady stream of politicians and businessmen. The brick building dates from 1946, and was built with an Anglo-Argentine clientele in mind. That feeling lingers in the spacious, elegant rooms with elegant wood furnishings and flowing draperies. The pool and spa are ideal for chilling out after a long porteño night.

Kudos go to the architect for this sleek space with spacious, loftlike rooms. The lobby's glass floor looks down to a small pool, just one example of the transparency theme that runs throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford amazing views, and mirrors have been placed for maximum effect. Rooms have rotating flat-screen TVs that let you watch from bed or from one of the leather recliners.

This futuristic hotel has a glass-covered lobby that grooves to chilled-out electronic music and a slender swimming pool that's often used for photo shoots. Sleek rooms have wood floors, streamlined furnishings, and kitchenettes with little extras like espresso machines. The cheerful staff is happy to give you a local's perspective on the best sites to visit. You're close to excellent shopping on Avenida Santa Fe and the stately Palacio Pizzurno.

Argentine icons—Eva Perón, Che Guevara, Jorge Luis Borges, among others—remind you just where you are when you stay at downtown's brashest hotel; their enormous portraits line the walls of the sleek lobby and art gallery. The spacious rooms are high-ceilinged and are decorated in muted grays and whites. Splashes of color are found in the funky throw rugs, sparkly pillows, and abstract paintings. This is one of the few downtown hotels that make a bold modernist statement, all the while gazing fondly back at Argentina's storied past. Esplendor also operates three other properties in Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, and Recoleta.

Given the frilly French-style facade, you could mistake the Bel Air for a neighborhood hotel somewhere in Paris. Inside, the decor is basic but modern, with a wood-paneled lobby bar and a cool café that looks onto exclusive Arenales Street, which is dotted with art galleries and designer boutiques. Rooms have handsome wooden floors, small desks, and chairs or couches.

This massive glass-and-steel structure puts you close to downtown and the seafood restaurants and fresh air of Puerto Madero. In the atrium lobby, exposed glass elevators and wraparound hallways are unusual and dizzying at times. Rooms have walk-in closets and large desks, and the turndown service always includes delicious little chocolates. The rooftop pool is a great place to sip a fruit smoothie and stare at the skyline.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering the Hotel Emperador is its magnificently ornate lobby, replete with beautiful marble floors, plush sofas, and gurgling fountains. The rooms are equally impressive: the basic rooms are about 450 square feet, and suites are double or triple that size. The decor is classic but not stuffy. Bathrooms have separate tubs and showers and gleaming fittings. There's an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center. The 21-story building has unobstructed views of the Río de la Plata and the city skyline. The Emperador is a favorite among visiting dignitaries and executives for its low-key, high-class service.

A favorite for visiting British rock stars, television personalities, and fashion photographers, this slick hotel is within walking distance of downtown as well as the riverside ecological reserve. The big, bright, modern rooms have sleek furnishings and sophisticated color schemes. Many also have fantastic views of the docks and city skyline; upgrade for your own outdoor Jacuzzi. The restaurant, Rëd Resto & Lounge, serves contemporary Argentine cuisine in an intimate setting.

Over the years this landmark has hosted some of the country's biggest movers and shakers, including Juan and Eva Perón—no surprise, since it has a presidential suite that occupies an entire floor. Built in 1928, the Spanish baroque structure has some of the most luxurious rooms in the NH chain. Rooms have big, bouncy beds and handsome wood desks; the small bathrooms disappoint, though. Suites have private terraces overlooking the city and the Río de la Plata. The lobby café sits a half story above the sidewalk and offers grand views of passersby.

This historic hotel was treated to a face-lift when it was purchased by NH Hotels, but the Spanish chain made certain to respect the Lancaster's proud past. The modern rooms and suites feature well-preserved wood floors, leather headboards, and rich splashes of color. The bright and inviting lobby has a modern bar and small café that sits in the spot where many shady political deals were reportedly sealed when the hotel also had a British-style pub. Now much of the clientele is made up of U.S. and European cruise-ship visitors and foreign business executives.

This lovely hotel has so much going for it—a historic setting, a pair of fine restaurants, a fitness room, and sophisticated rooms, for starters. Relax beside the indoor pool, work out in the fitness center, or enjoy a massage at the spa. The lobby bar is a great place for a drink; if the weather's right, sit in the courtyard, where you can forget you're in a concrete jungle. By day you can readily explore the quaint antiques shops, restaurants, and tango halls of nearby San Telmo. After the office workers head home the area is desolate; it's also on the fringe of some sketchy streets. Taxis are the way to go.

This well-placed former Sheraton property on bustling Avenida Córdoba makes for a solid stay for both business travelers and city visitors. Spacious rooms are elegant with contemporary decor and a natural palette. Upgrade to a club category room for more breath-taking views over the city. There’s also a cocktail bar and restaurant on-site.

At this urban oasis, a white-marble lobby leads to a palm-fringed garden where you can enjoy a poolside breakfast or an afternoon cocktail. Sleek guest rooms have sophisticated color schemes complemented by black-and-white photos on the walls. Executive studios have whirlpool baths, and certain suites amazing views of a place that high-society Argentines have been dying to get into for years: Recoleta Cemetery. Loi Suites also operates three other apart-hotels in the city.

On a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, this Spanish-owned hotel in the heart of the financial district is a good option for business travelers and cruise-ship passengers. Be sure to book a room in the newer part of the building—they're a bit pricier but worth every penny. There's a well-equipped fitness center, along with an indoor pool, sauna, and spa. The sunny breakfast and dinner rooms have nice sidewalk views for checking out passersby. The chain also has a property—Meliá Recoleta Plaza—in the heart of chichi Recoleta.

A modernist and minimalist property built of concrete and exposed stone, this boutique hotel comes complete with cool common areas, a full bar and restaurant, and a youthful staff. Each room is decorated in a different color scheme, providing a needed touch of warmth to the otherwise monochromatic feel. The full-service bistro, open only to guests, offers great porteño cuisine, as well as tasty mixed drinks and local wines. You can watch the day's soccer match on the flat-screen TV in the lounge area, though with the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street you forgo privacy. Surrounded by grass, a slender plunge pool is filled by a waterfall.