Just returned from Buenos Aires. We stayed at the Park Tower for 5 nights in Dec 2007-Jan2nd. It has a nice lobby that smells divine when you walk in.
The rooms are nice but the service there sucks! They claim to be a 5 star but the service levels are awful! You'd expect the concierge service to be excellent when you stay at a hotel that claims to be a St.Regis. This was pathetic. The concierge hardly ever picked up the phone, it was typically the bellman taking the phone.
Even if they did they really did not help nor did they know too many things. They are lackadaisical or complacent. I cant put my finger on it.
On the other hand we stayed 3 nights at the marriott just a block up from there on Plaza San Martin. It is a historic hotel but still charming. I admit the Marriott rooms are smaller and bathrooms small as well (some would say charming) but the service was superlative. The concierge was excellent. They suggested some of the best bars/restaurants we could have ever gone to.
As far as location goes, the Marriott is right on Calle Florida which has tons of shopping! There are all kinds of leather stores Florida and other fancy shopping as well. Watch out those leather salesmen are very persuasive!
You are 15-20 minutes walking distance to Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada and other site. Also a brisk 25-30 minute walk to Recoletta cemetary.
Recoletta is where all the high-end homes and shopping is and may actually be a more central to all the things to do in Buenos Aires.
From either the Marriott or the Park Tower you are 15 minutes to Puerto Madeiro which has a long row of restaurants on the water. This is where we spent new years! It was fantastic. The food is good at the Parillas and the Italian Restaurants (Bice)
We particularly loved this restaurant/bar called Milion. (I think it is in the Montevideo) http://www.milion.com.ar/eng/index.html
Do check it out! It is a wonderful restaurant/bar that has 3 storeys. Outdoor seating, balcony seating, and all kinds of other seating. This where a lot of BA crowd hangs out out until 3 am.
The other ones we loved were Gran Danzon. This is a fantastic restaurant as well!
Palermo Soho is about a 20 minute cab ride from the Park/Marriot and this where some of the best bars and restaurants are.
Bar Uriarte is a favorite of mine! It is an excellent restaurant/lounge/bar. Fantastic vibe.
Also do go to Casa Cruz. It is probably the best food we had in BA. You certainly do need reservations to get in there.
One more thing though. You should certainly visit Tigre, take the tren de la costa up and cruise down the river delta back to BA. It is a great short trip.
Shop for handicrafts in the Tigre. The prices are much better.










