We've been there july 2008.
Staff was really helpfull, the place is nice.
Breakfast is OK with a lot of food, homemade juice.
The location is not in the center but close to San Telmo, it may
look a bit run down area but safe.
The room could have been more clean.

I stayed at Casa Vaiven for a week. The place has decent breakfasts and looks interesting. Perhaps the best thing about it is the staff who go out of their way to find out information and always recommend great places to see, do, or eat. The rooms could've been cleaned more, and one of the upstairs doors needs oil because whenever it was opened or closed, the sound would echo (another reviewer was spot on about the sound in this place). I was glad to bring earplugs. The nieghbourhood is definitely quiet at night, almost eerie quiet with no one around. Casa Vaiven is also steps away from a great live music venue for local bands / dj's called Plasma (on Piedras street) and about a 10 minutes to a friendly parrilla full of locals called La Despensa. For my first stay in Argentina, it was fine.

First of all, I have to say the the B&B staff are GREAT. They went above and beyond to help us get around San Telmo. They also recommended a soccer match. My husband and I loved it!

However, the B&B itself is very disappointing for the following reasons:

1) We stayed there for 3 nights and our bed was NEVER made. The room was NEVER cleaned.
2) The soap in the batroom had been used. So if you are planning on staying here, bring your own soap. Yikes!
3) The day we left (at around 6AM) breakfast was not provided.
4) The location is a bit far from everything. You can't walk at night because it can be dangerous.

In my opinion is below average for the price. I rather pay a bit more and stay somewhere nicer. San Telmo is ok to visit. Next time I will stay in Palermo or Recoleta.


Johanna

Friendly staff, good beds, excellent breakfast and amenities - they go the extra mile for you. I would recommend Casa Vaiven wholeheartedly. Close to Supermarket, Plaza Dorrego (antiques fair), 10 peso by taxi to Calle Florida and Lavalle. Directions to place are excellent - no problem for taxi from Airport. Downside? Poor soundproofing - you need earplugs to sleep if the neighbours on the floor above decide to start dragging stuff around. But apart from that, this is good value for money.