Buenos Aires - Argentina - page 85

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Hostel Carlos Gardel If you can't get enough of Gardel in the tango clubs, then
stay here, where a red wall full of his pictur es is the first thing to gr eet you. This hostel
is built into a renovated old house, and though it has been severely gutted, a few charm-
ing elements such as marble stair cases, wall sconces, and stained-glass windo ws remain.
Two rooms with private bathrooms are available in this location; at $50 (£28), they ar e
reasonably priced but hav e few amenities other than a bathr oom. The staff is friendly ,
and a large TV r oom off the concierge ar ea allo ws for chatting with them and other
patrons. A shar ed kitchen and an asado on the r ooftop terrace pr ovide more spaces for
interacting and sharing stories of your adventures in Buenos Aires. Towels and sheets are
provided for guests, but of all the hostels, this seems to have the fewest bathrooms for the
number of guests.
Carlos Calvo 579 (at Perú), 1102 Buenos Aires. & 11/4307-2606. www.hostelcarlosgardel.com.ar. 45 bed
spaces, including 10 in 2 rooms with private bathroom. From $22 (£15) per bed; $50 (£34) for room. Rates
include continental breakfast. No credit cards. Metro: Independencia. Amenities: Concierge; self-service
drink station; TV room; free high-speed Internet; shared kitchen. In room: Lockers.
Lina's Tango GuestHouse Finds If you want to immerse y ourself in the
tango scene, this is the place to stay. Owner Lina Acuña, who hails from Colombia, owns
this charming little spot. She herself is a tango dancer and wanted to create a space where
the tango community from around the world could come together. As a woman-owned
space, it's also great for women trav eling alone, and Lina often goes with her guests on
informal trips to the milongas, offering a unique inside view. Lina lives in the house, and
its 1960s exterior hides the fact that the building dates from the turn of the last century.
In the rooms off the back garden, the original doors and other elements remain. She has
painted these in kitschy colors r eminiscent of La Boca, and vines and tr ees add to the
authentic Porteño atmosphere. Guests and Lina 's friends gather her e for conv ersation,
impromptu help with each other 's dance techniques, and asados on holidays and w eek-
ends. Three of the eight guest rooms share bathrooms. Rooms come in different sizes but
all are big enough to shar e. Breakfast is included, and guests can use the small kitchen
and a washing machine. The TV is in the shar ed living room, and it can be noisy with
people talking and dancing in the cour tyard.
Estados Unidos 780 (at P iedras), 1011 Buenos Air es. & 11/4361-6817 or 11/4300-7367. w ww.tango
guesthouse.com.ar. 8 units, 5 with private bathroom. $40-$70 (£27-£47) double. 20% added for 1-night
stays. Rates include continental breakfast. No credit cards. Metro: Independencia. Amenities: Continen-
tal breakfast; self-service laundry; self-service kitchen; tango tours. In room: Wi-Fi.

5

PALERMO
Inexpensive
Casa Jardín Owner Nerina Sturgeon wanted to cr eate an “ artist hostel ” in the
heart of Palermo Viejo, and she has succeeded in doing so . Built into an old house, this
intimate hostel boasts high ceilings—all the better to display N erina's paintings, as w ell
as the ar twork of others, thr oughout the space. The gallery atmosphere is fur thered by
exhibitions held here periodically, complete with rooftop parties on the garden-wrapped
terrace overlooking the street. There are 15 bed spaces—nine beds ar e in shared spaces,
and six ar e in thr ee priv ate r ooms. All r ooms shar e public bathr ooms. As a woman-
owned-and-run business, it's an ideal location for young women travelers. Take note that
while the atmospher e is the same, the hostel has mo ved across the str eet from its old
location into an equally charming house. N o breakfast is served, but a 24-hour cafe sits
across the street, and there is a shared kitchen.