Buenos Aires - Argentina - page 83

Expensive
Hotel Emperador Located on Avenida Libertador, this hotel is Spanish owned,
with a sister hotel in M adrid. It opened a fe w blocks fr om the Patio Bullrich shopping
center in an area some would call Retiro, because it is near the train station complex, and
others would call Recoleta. The theme here is “Empire with a modern update.” A bust of
Julius Caesar overlooks the concierge desk. Behind the main restaurant, the lobby opens
onto a large o vergrown patio with a gaz ebo and outdoor seating. The English-hunting-
lodge-style lobby bar is a place for ladies who lunch and for businesspeople to gather for
informal discussions. The imperial theme continues in the spacious r ooms. Royal-blue
carpets with wreath patterns, and elegant furnishings with rich veneers, brass fittings, and
gold v elvet upholster y await visitors. The suites, with their walls, multiple doors and
entrances, and extra sinks, are ideal for doing business without encroaching on the sleep-
ing quarters. All bathrooms are oversize, with cream-and-green marble. Each room comes
with a large desk and high-speed I nternet and Wi-Fi access, which will cost y ou about
$12 (£8.20) a day. The gym is small, with a wet and dry sauna and separate areas for men
and women. A medium-size heated indoor swimming pool is also her e; with the space's
modern columns, it gives the impression of a Roman bath.
Av. del Liber tador 420 (at Suipacha), 1001 Buenos Air es. & 11/4131-4000. Fax [phone]. w ww.
hotel-emperador.com.ar. 265 units , including 36 suit es. $250 (£171) double; fr om $400 (£274) suit e;
$1,000 (£684) nuptial suit e. Buffet breakfast $24 (£16). AE, DC, MC, V. Valet parking $12 (£8.20). M etro:
Retiro. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; small fitness c enter w/medium-size indoor heat ed pool and sauna;
concierge; business c enter; room ser vice; massage; bab ysitting; laundr y ser vice; dr y cleaning; gar den
patio. In room: A/C, TV, high-speed Internet, Wi-Fi, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, safe.
Loi Suites Part of a small local hotel chain, the Loi Suites Recoleta is a contem-
porary hotel with spacious r ooms and personalized service. A palm-filled garden atrium
and covered pool adjoin the lobby, which is bathed in various shades of white. Breakfast
and afternoon tea are served in the “winter garden.” Management uses the term “suites”
rather loosely to describe rooms with microwaves, sinks, and small fridges. But the hotel
does offer some traditional suites in addition to its regular studio-style rooms. Loi Suites
lies just around the corner from Recoleta's trendy restaurants and bars, and the staff will
provide information on city tours upon r equest. In-room Internet is free, and there are
also CD players.
Vicente L ópez 1955 (at A yacucho), 1128 Buenos Air es. & 11/5777-8950. F ax 11/5777-8999. w ww.
loisuites.com.ar. 112 units. From $300 (£204) double; from $450 (£305) suite. Rates include buffet break-
fast. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking $12 (£8.20). No metr o access. Amenities: Restaurant; indoor pool; ex ercise
room; sauna; small business c enter; room service; laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: A/C, TV, high-
speed Internet, minibar, fridge, hair dryer, safe, CD players.

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5

Moderate
Bel Air Hotel Opened in late 2000, the intimate B el Air has the ambience of a bou-
tique hotel, and though reasonable for the location, it's no longer the bargain it once was.
Although the lobby and building's exterior are more extravagant than the r ooms, guests
can still look forward to comfortable, quiet accommodations. Superior rooms are bigger
than standards and only slightly mor e expensive, and suites hav e separate sitting ar eas.
Certain rooms contain sho wers only (no tubs). N ext to the lobb y, Bis-a-Bis restaurant
and bar featur es windo w-side tables, gr eat for people-watching along the fashionable
Calle Arenales.
Arenales 1462 (at P araná), 1061 Buenos Air es. & 11/4021-4000. Fax [phone]. w ww.hotelbelair.
com.ar. 76 units. $150 (£102) double; from $230 (£156) suite. Rates include buffet breakfast. AE, DC, MC,