Be Jardin Escondido by Coppola, Palermo Soho
Yes, the "Coppola" in the name is indeed that of film director Francis Ford, who stayed at this address while shooting the movie "Tetro" in 1999. Be Jardin Escondido by Coppola was then subsequently renovated into a seven-room boutique lodging wrapped around a peaceful patio garden, trailed by plants and featuring a swimming pool. Each room is themed around the director and film crew members who made "Tetro" and named accordingly: Francis Suite, Bolaño Suite, Sofia Suite, Roman Suite, Ellie Suite, Cortazar Suite, and Nieta's Studio.
Rooms come decorated with memorabilia collected by the Coppola family, such as old travel trunks, statues, and stills from Coppola's many decades of movie-making. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the garden. There is also a library, video library, and a barbecue area; you can book out the entire hotel privately if you want. The chic café- and bar-filled neighborhood of Palermo Soho is on the doorstep.
Faena Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero
You cannot stay in a much more unusual building anywhere in Argentina than the repurposed, redesigned granary that is the Faena Hotel, a large and sumptuous red-brick edifice in the waterfront district of Puerto Madero. Overlooking the beautiful urban park of Parque Micaela Bastidas, the Faena is as memorable inside as out: deep ruby red is the overarching color from the voluminous sofas in the suites to the drapes of the intimate El Cabaret bar and the sun-loungers around the swimming pool.
Furnishings are early-20th-century opulent, ceilings soar, and antiques are scattered throughout. The list of facilities runs from a spa with a candle-lit hammam and sauna to three restaurants, including a library lounge filled with antiquarian books, which doubles as a café, and one of the largest collections of Malbec wine in the world. Tango lessons are on offer too.
Algodón Mansion, Recoleta
An ornate chateau dating from 1912 in the plush, tree-lined Recoleta neighborhood not far from Buenos Aires' famous Recoleta Cemetery is the location for the luxurious Algodón Mansion. Here, the suites are anything from 600 to 1300 square feet in size. Finishing touches include fireplaces, separate lounges, and marble and limestone furnishings in the bathrooms, and in the best suites, wet bars stocked with wine (yes, complimentary wine). Guests even have their own allocated butler. There is also a rooftop pool and sun terrace, a wine bar-cum-charcuterie, and a spa utilizing the luxury Stendahl cosmetics.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Legado Mítico, Palermo Viejo
The 11 rooms at Legado Mítico are inspired by myths, legends, and personalities in Argentine culture, each one playfully elaborating on a different theme from tango to gauchos to writers and heroes. The room style varies between traditional and contemporary, where fireplaces, private bars, and terraces are standout features, plus pillow menus, laptop safes, and, unusually for Buenos Aires, in-room tea and coffee-making facilities. A large, elegant antique-furnished salon lounge, a solarium terrace, and a Jacuzzi can also be enjoyed by guests. The surrounding Palermo Viejo neighborhood is a relaxed, low-key, and pretty area to explore.
Tango de Mayo Hotel, Monserrat
A few tango-themed hotels are springing up in the city now, but the Tango de Mayo remains the classic, in a gorgeous antique-filled Art Nouveau building dating from the second decade of the 20th century. Besides the tango-dancing imagery throughout, original chessboard floors, high chandelier-hung ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows all serve to create a bold but suave impression amid a decor of pronounced blacks, whites, and floral motifs. It does not take much to imagine Argentine tango legend Carlos Gardel showing off his dance moves here. There is a sixth-floor rooftop bar with amazing city views, as well as a restaurant and a fitness center. The surrounding historic Monserrat neighborhood features the renowned Casa Rosada, the pink-hued house of government.
Casa Calma, Central Buenos Aires
The minimalist, 17-room retreat of Casa Calma is unbelievably serene, given its bang-in-the-center location. The building is an eco-friendly option, sitting behind a blanket of hanging greenery and with wallpaper made of synthetic fibers. Yet the rooms themselves enjoy plenty of luxury, with a Jacuzzi in each and dry saunas in some. Interiors are all light and bright, with wicker furniture, while in-room massage and yoga sessions are available for guests that want to unwind further. A homemade buffet breakfast is served, and guests can use bamboo bikes. The main shopping thoroughfare of Avenida Santa Fe is a block away.
The Clubhouse, Palermo Soho
You can feel quite the trendy Porteño (resident of Buenos Aires) within the stylish hipster hangout of The Clubhouse, just back from the bustle of the fashionable Palermo Soho neighborhood, where the bars, restaurants, and vibes are as cool as you can find in the city.
Like the neighborhood, this upmarket lodging markets itself as something exclusive: as a private urban members' club with just four guest rooms (you have to go through a formal interview before you can be added to the prospective guest list, which adds to the feeling of exclusivity). Once inside, two bars, a terrace, a garden, and a pool await. Three rooms have private terraces, and The Master has a double rainfall shower and its own dressing room. The interior is peppered with famous artwork, including the occasional original Warhol.