I have been to Buenos Aires 8 times in 2 years, an amazing city.....on a prior trip I was simply walking the streets in Recoleta (the "Manhattan" or maybe "Upper West Side" of Buenos Aires and stumbled upon the Prince Hotel on a quiet side street.
For this trip I contact the hotel directly for reservations. Very prompt response, was quoted a rate of roughly US$45 a NIGHT INCLUDING TAX AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST. You MUST understand what a VALUE this is in Recoleta........because although Buenos Aires is, due to the exchange rate and Argentina's current stability, a GREAT BARGAIN......HOTELS IN BUENOS AIRES ARE MORE OR LESS PRICED AS THEY WOULD BE IN THE US OR EUROPE. In other words, they are not the BUY the rest of the nation is.....
PRINCE HOTEL is BASIC. But very comfortably "basic." Rooms are small, the mattresses a little thin, but the bathrooms are spotless, the hotel has an atmosphere that it is loved by the English speaking and very friendly staff, there is a computer in the lobby for guests to use, extensive cable tv in the rooms.....it is not LUXURY by any means, don't book it thinking it IS.....HOWEVER: IT COSTS ABOUT 1/2 WHAT PARK ELEGANCE KEMPSINSKI AND WILTON HOTEL DO (the 2 other places I have stayed) AND OFFERS JUST AS MUCH AS THOSE TWO VERY OVER-PRICED PROPERTIES DO. A lot of hotels in Buenos Aires which are "sold" as 3 and 4 star really are not. Heads-up there everyone.
Prince Hotel is an honest, basic, clean, intimate little property, a friendly hotel located on a QUIET (if you have been to Buenos Aires you KNOW what a commodity some QUIET can be!) side street in the BEST neighborhood. The breakfast was basic, there's no gym, and so on but the staff is friendly and you feel they are "aware" of you and appreciate your business.
My recommedation when visiting Buenos Aires is to just GO for it and spend the $300+ a night for the Alvear or Loi Suites Recoleta if you want bells and whistles and TRUE luxury, or TAKE A LOOK AT PRINCE HOTEL if you are shopping for something clean, modest.......because, again, a LOT of hotels in the city are going to charge you DOUBLE over the Prince and offer nothing more than the Prince Hotel. 7 nights came to US$299. I could NOT have been more pleased.
A really good experience. Check it out.
