Buenos Aries
We stayed in the Emperador Hotel on Ave Libertador which was within walking distance of quite a few sights of Buenos Aires such as May Square, the Harbour area and the pedestrian shopping streets such as Florida St.
On our first day we had an official city tour which began ... Read review
Waldorf, Buenos Aires
incl. Breakfast - HRS Rating: /10 - The hotel is located in the best part of the downtown ... more
area, one block from Florida Street, steps from the Galerias Pacifico Mall and well located for all of Buenos Aires' key sites and interesting neighbourhoods such as San Telmo, Recoleta and Puerto Madero. The hotel is also surrounded by a wide range of the city's best restaurants and Irish Pubs. The hotel is located in the best part of the downtown area, one block from Florida Street, steps from the Galerias Pacifico Mall and well located for all of Buenos Aires' key sites and interesting neighbourhoods such as San Telmo, Recoleta and Puerto Madero. The hotel is also surrounded by a wide range of the city's best restaurants and Irish Pubs.Ezeiza 35 Km Aeroparque 7 Km Retiro Station 1 Km Metro Station 0.5 Km
Concorde, Buenos Aires
incl. Breakfast - HRS Rating: 5,97/10 - The Hotel has an excellent location in downtown ... more
area and has warmly and fully equipped rooms to satisfy our guests, and assure you a pleasant stay with our highly qualified personnel. The Hotel has an excellent location in downtown area, and very close to traditional and historical places, business and tourist areas, with high quality in hospitality service.
Cambremon, Buenos Aires
incl. Breakfast - HRS Rating: 7,35/10 - Colón Theater, Obelisco, San Martin Theater, ... more
Museum of beaux arts, Museum Malba,Zoological Garden, Botanical Garden, Government building, Congress, de Mayo avenue, 9 de Julio avenue, Boca Juniors Stadium, River Plate Stadium, Recoleta, San Telmo and shoppingcenters..
Eat half a cow and Tango like Arnie in 'True lies'
A review by catsholiday on Buenos Aires December 27th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Value for Money
Excellent
Shopping
Excellent
Nightlife
Good
Ease of getting around
Good
Family Friendly
Average
Advantages:
Cheap, interesting and great food .
Disadvantages:
Not great for veggies and careful of opportunist theives
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Buenos Aries We stayed in the Emperador Hotel on Ave Libertador which was within walking distance of quite a few sights of Buenos Aires such as May Square, the Harbour area and the pedestrian shopping streets such as Florida St.
On our first day we had an official city tour which began in May Square ( Plaza de Mayo) which was named to commemorate Argentina's independence from Spain which began in May 1810 .We took the obligatory photo of the famous (Casa Rosada) Presidential Palace from where Evita stood on the balcony to talk to the people. We saw the white scarves painted around The Piramide de Mayo which is an obelisk in the middle of the square, this is where the wives and mothers of 'the disappeared' march every Thursday in memory of their relatives who disappeared up until 1983 and still haven't been found, alive or dead. There was also a group of Falklands veterans with banners protesting about their lack of recognition but it was obviously a long term protest as they were sitting and the banners looked fairly long term. Apparently most days there is some sort of protest in this square and there were huge metal fence panels all around which are put up as soon as there is any sign of trouble in the area.
We also visited La Boca and saw the famous football stadium, La Bombonera but did not go to watch the game later as it cost a small fortune - I think the tickets were black market too and besides I'm not a huge football fan anyway. We went to the main area including La Cominito, near the waterfront where the main streets are with the colourful houses. It is quite touristy now but I guess that is what happens when something interesting becomes well known. This area was where the original Italian immigrants settled at they were mainly fishing families and so settled near the seafront areas so they could continue earning their living doing what they knew best. The story goes that they had such colourful houses because they bought paint firstly and foremost for their boats and what was left over was used on the houses, hence they were often lots of different colours. The houses were built of wood and then had corrugated metal placed over the wood presumably for weather protection. They were low houses, mainly two stories and were very colourful and quaint on very narrow streets. I not sure how many of the houses are lived in as many are shops and cafes now.
It was a bit like Montmartre in that there were many artists displaying their paintings all along the streets. It was all very busy, colourful and tango music played from several of the shops and stalls. There were also large painted boards with tango dancers and the holes you could poke your head through to have your photo taken, I suspect you had to pay but we didn't bother. You could easily pass an hour or two wandering up and down the two or three streets as there were so many little shops, many stalls and quite a few cafes where you could enjoy a coffee or an alcoholic drink either inside or outside and watch all the activity in the area. It is busy and there are lots of tourists but you can still see the charm of the area and enjoy the artists work on display despite this.
Our next stop was the Cementario de la Recoleta, the cemetery where the body of Eva Peron has been laid to rest after its world tour. I have never seen anything quite so ostentatious as this cemetery. There is a high wall around the cemetery so that those wealthy inhabitants can rest in ornate luxury. The mausoleums were huge marble buildings with statues and plaques; some were big enough for a family to live in. Eva Peron's family mausoleum was quite plain in comparison to some of them and was not the biggest but it is the only one that always has fresh flowers on it, according to our guide. Mr Peron is not in this mausoleum as it is Eva's family mausoleum and after her death there was some dispute between Peron and Eva's family. Eva Peron is either loved or hated by the local people but her picture is on postcards everywhere and there is a statue of her in the city but it could be anyone really - it is not obviously her.
We were in the Recoletta area of the city now and on Sunday there is a big flea market but we were not greatly interested in this. This is also the area where there are lots of restaurants but we didn't eat here so I cannot say much about them really. This is the upper class area of Buenos Aires with large houses, nice shops and posh restaurants with plenty of green park areas to relax in.
We decided we wanted to visit a cafe called the Ideal Cafeteria on Sui Pacha where we had heard the local people meet to tango so we set off with our map in our hands looking for it. It wasn't too far to walk, about 9 blocks away from our hotel but when we got there we were an hour too early as it didn't open till 3 o' clock on Sunday. We found a cafe with tables outside on Ave 9th July and enjoyed a few beers before trying again at the Ideal Cafe.
We paid about £2.50 each to go in. The cafe was decorated in an art deco style with carved ceilings and columns. There was a bar at the back, tables round a central dance floor. Most tables were reserved by regular customers but were lucky and did get a table with a great view of the dance floor. We ordered beers and sandwiches and then the music began. I was a little nervous that someone would come and ask me to dance as I would not have had a clue what to do. It is extremely complicated and very nostalgic. It was amazing watching how a man asked a lady to dance. He sort of looked at her then walked over in of macho way - no words were exchanged and then the lady came to meet him and they began dancing. The hold is very close at the top heads touching but hips not and the foot movements don't always seem to follow each other. It was fascinating. We sat next to a lady from North Carolina who was by herself and in between dances told us she had been having lessons for 2 years in N. Carolina and she didn't think she was very good, she looked pretty good to us and she was in constant demand as a dance partner - she was possibly the youngest lady there!! There was one old man who looked about 90 but he was giving it a pretty good go. It was extremely interesting and the whole afternoon including the food and drinks only cost us $9 US about £4.50 depending on your exchange rate.
In the evening a group of us walked to Las Nazarenas restaurant, just opposite the Sheraton Hotel as we had been told they had excellent Argentinean streaks. It gets pretty busy later on a night but even at 7.30 it was quite full. There were other things on the menu, different pasta dishes and fish options but there was a double page spread of the various steaks with their weights as well. I ordered a small 480g sirloin and between us we ordered a side salad and plate of fries. I only managed half my steak. It was about 6 "long by 4" wide and 2" thick and beautifully tender. My husband's was twice the size and he did manage to eat his but couldn't help me out. We declined the desserts and carried our stomachs back to the hotel round the corner. This meal including beers and wines cost about £35 for the two of us which we felt was great value for such an amazing steak and excellent service from a very friendly and helpful waiter. He was delightful and as we were a group of 9 people he was quite busy with sorting drinks and food for all of us. We did help by having one bill and splitting the cost rather than asking for separate bills.
The next day we wanted to see the old wooden underground carriages on line A of the underground. We walked from our hotel up Ave 9th July till we reached Peru station. We bought our 0.90peso ticket ( about 15p) and we could go as far as we liked but we got off a couple of station later at lima station which was near May square as we wanted to visit the Tortoni cafe which we had read in a blog on the internet was worth a visit. Again it has become somewhat of a tourist attraction but this does not detract from the decor of the cafe. You are greeted at the door by a very smart waiter who escorts you to a table, set with a maroon table cloth. The whole cafe is decorated with tiffany lights, paintings of all types decorated the walls and again a sort of art deco look to the whole place. We enjoyed very nice hot chocolates and coffee with small chocolate biscuits while looking around the cafe. On venturing to the toilet we discovered there were other rooms similarly decorated, one had a few men playing a board game, another room had a stage at one end with a dark red and black tango picture as a backdrop. The toilets were nice and clean with marble basin surrounds. All in all it was a very interesting cafe and made a very pleasant break and cost us about £3.00 .
We wandered down Florida Street looking at the shops until we met another couple from our group who told us they had been down at the waterfront area and there were lots of restaurants along there in converted warehouses. Florida Street is fine if you have a lot of money and want to buy leather coats or designer items but mu husband's interest in this sort of sight seeing is limited to about 15 minutes maximum and to be honest mine is not much longer as I think there are much more interesting things to see and do than look in shops.
We decided this would be a good place for lunch so we headed off in that direction, once again with our map in hand. The area looked very clean but otherwise the buildings were quite true to their original look as warehouses there were a couple of cranes cleaned up and placed on the harbour front too to add to the feel of a marina. We struggled with the choice of restaurants we wanted to eat at because there were so many and they were all quite similar. Most of them were Italian and to be honest I can't remember what the name of the restaurant was but it had tables outside overlooking the marina as well as a large restaurant inside. We started off outside but as it was quite windy we moved inside with the help of the waiters carrying our drinks etc. My husband had spider crab crepe and I had lemon sole with sweet potato mash covered in a creamy caper sauce, another friend had a prawn and rocket risotto, all meals were delicious and once again I couldn't eat all mine. The staff waiting on were so friendly and helpful and very patient with our non-Spanish explaining some items on the menu for us. One person in our party had a dessert which looked very nice and was also huge and chocolaty, we had two small beers each so 8 in total and a coffee and the bill was £12.50 each person including a tip which was fantastic value for the food and service we received.
In short we had a wonderful time in Buenos Aires but we were warned to be very careful as there were a large number of pickpockets and opportunist thieves and con people. One trick was to spill ice-cream or squirt tomato sauce from a hotdog there as they were cleaning you up 'helpfully' they cleaned you up financially at the same time. Fortunately we escaped this and had an incident free time wandering around the sights both in our group and by ourselves but we walked with purpose and did not carry anything unnecessary or of value. Just be aware I think and you can still enjoy walking to see sights and the wonderful food.
Advantages: Classy, cultural and (at the moment) cheap. Disadvantages: The current economic situation continues to plague the nations spirit.
...doubtlessly take years. Buenos Aires is by far the biggest city in Argentina with 13 million people (Cordoba the countries second city has only 1 million). It's sprawling city centre, known as the Microcentro, is defined by 3 or 4 main thoroughfares and is just about navigable on foot. The buildings here have a classical feel even if many are showing the scars of a city in trouble. As you would expect football is an overriding obsession and the capital ... ...Independiente all play out of Buenos Aires and each has a passionate following. Any visit to the city would be incomplete without witnessing a match as it is here that BA's passion for life persists. ACCOMMODATION Buenos Aires can be a little daunting when it comes to finding a place to stay. The city centre is quite big and its budget hotels are scattered over a wide area so be prepared for a lot of legwork. The biggest concentration of accommodation ...
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Advantages: The best meat in the world! Disadvantages: You may need a laxative after all that red meat!
Restaurants in Buenos Aires.
If you go to Argentina, you know that the word vegetarian is unknown in there. so lets face it, you must try meat, so taste, so mmmmm... so here are a few tips, if you are near Recoleta visiting Evita's (Eva Peron) grave you can walk along Junin Street where you can find a finest option of food, so instead of choosing the sports cafe, or the Henry j. beans ( yes! Argentina got them too!) You can give it a try in Cabaña ... ...Night clubs in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires is proud of their nightlife.(and their well dress ladies too!) You can find in the capital federal lots of mega nightclubs one next to each other, specially in what it's called Costanera, there you can find: Caix, only for the Ibiza music type lovers. Pacha, a friendly environment with the last hits playing all night long. El Santo is not a building is just a huge grass area with lots of bars and a bonfire ...
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Advantages: The People, Atmosphere, Gateway to South America, Partying Disadvantages: Distance, Expense
The flight to Buenos Aires, into Ezeiza Airport, is a long one from the UK, however due to the +3 to +4 hour time difference the timing of most of the major airlines is very convenient. For example British Airways leaves at around 10pm and lands in Buenos Aires at 7am the next day five days a week.
There are numerous taxis available outside the airport, with the journey into the centre of BA taking around 40 minutes and costing around $30.
To many ... ...the city's massive, sprawling suburbs. Buenos Aires is situated on the banks of the Río de la Plata in the Federal Capital district, and not, as one would expect, in Buenos Aires province. Unlike most South American cities, whose architectural styles reveal a strong Spanish colonial influence, Buenos Aires looks more like Paris, with wide boulevards lined with palatial mansions. The city throngs with bankers on the make and sophisticated dressers ...
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Advantages: Lively city, Good restaurants and bars, plenty to see Disadvantages: Hold onto your hats when taking a cab!
...Argentina, then a stop in Buenos Aires should definitely be on your itinerary. This vibrant city has the look and feel of a Spanish city though retains its sense of South American location. Culturally and socially, the city embraces all walks of life. From the hard-headed business district and its Hotels such as the obligatory Inter Continental with (frequently Texan oil tycoons) to the bustle of the Boca, Buenos Aires caters for all. The architecture ... ...Juniors. Nightlife in Buenos Aires is frenetic. Have a drink in the numerous bars or treat yourself to a traditional Argentine steak in one of the restaurants. Afterwards catch the club scene until the early hours. A general point to note which applies to most of South America as a whole is to ensure you take US Dollar travellers cheques and some US Dollar cash aswell. As the Argentine Peso is linked closely to the US Dollar this allows purchases ...
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Advantages: All the meat you can eat Disadvantages: Cloting and electrical goods on the expensive side
Buenos Aires is a shoppers paradise, there are streets and streets full of shops with little of the repetitive chain store influences we are so used to at home. There's even a Harrods department store, even if it's not quite the same thing. Womens clothing seems to be the major theme, which whilst expensive is unlikely to find you in the same dress as the bosses wife at dinner.
The Argentinians like to eat late, go to a restaurant for dinner at ... ...Therein lies the rub, Buenos Aires is not the place to go if you are vegetarian, they like their meat here, be it beef, pork, lamb or goat. Be very wary, however, of ordering a mixed grill as this tends not to contain bits of different animals but rather different bits of the same animal. Unfortunately in this instance they do provide english menus which will enable you to complete your bovine anatomy lesson.
Must see's include the tomb of Eva Peron, ...
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...The Kempinski Hotel is ideally located in the centre of BuenosAires. You are within walking distance of numerous cafes, restaurants, shops, the metro, bus stops and many of the main attractions.
It is a small boutique hotel with friendly, competent staff who are happy to help you out.
We stayed in the hotel for 6 nights and were very happy with the place.
The hotel, is like many others in BA tall and narrow - the lifts barely fit two people, so let the porter take your suitcases up to your room - it is far easier than getting stuck doing it yourself.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable - you get a sofa and an en-suite as well as a huge double bed. The room is air conditioned - a must in summer as it is so hot outside.
There is cable TV with lots of random English speaking channels - so you can watch movies in English...
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Advantages: a fabulous district to visit Disadvantages: all tourists agree
...BuenosAires is a chic cosmopolitan city that bristles with sensual elegance - a place of smoke-filled tango halls, wide leafy boulevards and street art of a myriad of genres. The city is divided into districts, or barrios, each with an individual style and character. One of the most popular barrios for visitors is exclusive Recoleta, a thoroughly well-heeled area which fronts onto the Rio Plata.
Porteños, the residents of BuenosAires, seem to have three great passions in life - tango, football and Evita, and it is in this district, in the vast Recoleta Cemetery, that the remains of Eva Peron found their final resting place. For many people Evita is the only reason to visit Recoleta, for some the only reason to visit Buenos Aries. The popularity of this remarkable lady, still intense a half century after her death, has made...
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Advantages: Great position, huge rooms and bathroom Disadvantages: Little storage in bedrooms and food and drink VERY expensive
...The hotel is on the Avenida del Libertador in the Recoleta district of BuenosAires and is situated within walking distance of most areas in BuenosAires and is close to the main railway station. The entrance is modern looking with gold revolving doors and there is at least one doorman at all times to welcome you in. The lobby is quite spacious and very well appointed, there are flower arrangements on tables which are fresh and look welcoming. The reception desk is on the left as you walk in to the hotel and they will also change money at a reasonable rate here. On the right hand side is an open looking bar with comfortable seats and tables. At the back of the hotel, through the lobby is the restaurant which is actually quite small for the size of hotel. This is where we had our breakfasts but we did not eat in the hotel other than...
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06.03.2008
09.03.2006
