We've just completed a seven night stay at the Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires. This hotel needs some realistic comments since everything we read before booking indicated that it was among the finest hotels in the world. It is so far removed from that, it's pathetic. While the staff are very nice, the hotel in total is more show than substance. Five examples: 1) maid service left dirty rags in bathroom; 2) took 24 hours and two phone calls for the Butler service to deliver a list of available DVDs that should have been in the room to begin with; 3) the concierge repeatedly gave incorrect information on times of certain venues and an online check revealed this continuously; 4) food in the hotel is absolutely dreadful; 5) to get a porter at check out required a call to manager's office after waiting 15 minutes for one to come to our room. Bottom line: if you're thinking of staying at this hotel, think again and rebook fast somewhere else. It is NOT EVEN in the top 25 hotels in the world!

We spent the first 5 nights of our trip through Argentina here. While staff were professional, there was not a single employee who was friendly. Everyone seemed very put out by questions or even our merely showing up although we were always well- attired and speak Spanish with local fluency. The hostess at the restaurant even once wagged her finger at us and hushed us when we were about to say "2 for breakfast"! Even smiles were rebuked. Their intention may have been to preserve a professional demeanor, but they just came off rude.

Other problems we encountered were with the laundry services and (shockingly) molded parmesan cheese they delivered with room service. When we called to have these problems rectified, we could not reach the butler. Having been transferred to the front desk because the butler is only available until midnight, we were told: I'm sorry, but there's nobody to do anything about it.

Certainly not the type of service we have come to expect from this type/category hotel. Certainly nothing we've experienced before at other 'Grande Dames' in other cities throughout the world.

Sitting behind the check-out counter was a TripAdvisor award for this year.

We stayed at the Alvear Palace for 3 nights in February. The hotel had a driver meet us at the airport, and he gave us a quick orientation to the city as he drove to the hotel. We waited about 45 minutes for our room to be finished, but the desk had us taken to the bar and provided us with a complimentary drink and snack. They then escorted us to the room, and we found it to be very nice and spacious. All in all, we were more than satisfied with the room. During our stay, we experienced the bar, the breakfast room, La Bougogne, the concierge desk and the hair salon (my wife). Service throughout the hotel was excellent with one or two exceptions (more later). The staff was responsive and accomodating, and the hotel is in excellent condition. We did find a lapse in service at La Bourgogne and found that to be surprising. In particular, the sommelier was inefficient and unable to stay on top of the wine and water at our table. Also, there was a mixup at the concierge desk and they lost my city tour and restauarant requests. I had to provide them with their email to me in order to clear up that they had made the error. Everything was worked out, however.
As for the location, it is in a very nice neighborhood and close to the Recoleta cemetary and some nice shopping. Also, Buenos Aires taxis are inexpensive, and we had reasonable rides to all parts of the city. Finally, the photographs on the hotel's web site are a pretty accurate representation of the condition of the hotel. This is a very nice hotel, despite the one or two hiccups, and I would stay there again.

This was my first trip to Buenos Aires. I knew that after 24 hours travelling I would need a place to pamper my soul and bones. I can't imagine a better place for such an undertaking than the Alvear Palace. The staff is attentive but never obtrusive, every corner spic and span, the breakfast buffet rich and of excellent quality. My room was quiet and the fruit basket re-filled with fresh figs, grapes, pears whenever I left the room... I slept with angels. The best way to start into your first day in Buenos Aires.