The best B&B in Buenos Aires
Written: Jul 24 '08 (Updated Jul 31 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Location, price, amenities, and (most of all) service and attitude.
Cons: Only four rooms
The Bottom Line: Unbeatable quality to price ratio. If you want to avoid the "big box" hotel experience in Buenos Aires, give serious consideration to this wonderful B&B.
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| sundogg99's Full Review: Casa Palermitano |
We didn't originally intend to stay at Casa Palermitano. When planning our two week visit to Argentina, we'd originally made reservations at a different hotel in the San Telmo district of Buenos Aires. Then, less than two weeks before we were scheduled to depart, the hotel cancelled our reservation. We frantically searched for recommendations online and discovered Casa Palermitano, the #1 ranked B&B in Buenos Aires according to the readers of TripAdvisor.com.
After spending ten nights at Casa Palermitano, I have to say it deserves its top ranking.
Our positive experience with this bed and breakfast began even before we left for Argentina. We made our initial contact via their website, received a prompt response, and subsequently got all sorts of useful advice from Lorena, the owner, about the B&B itself, local attractions, locations for ATMs, grocery stores, and laundry facilities, and any number of other helpful hints.
When we arrived at Casa Palermitano, we were delighted to find that it was located on a bustling residential street at the edge of the tourist-friendly Palermo Viejo barrio. The house is a lovingly restored century-old casa chorizo, so named for its long, narrow floorplan.
Casa Palermitano contains just four rooms for let, but each includes a spacious bedroom with ensuite bath. In keeping with the character and style of the house, rooms are accessed via charming vintage french doors that are fully 10 feet high and about 18 inches wide. Toppped with an operating transom window, the doors are fronted by shutters to close out unwanted daylight (useful in a city where dinnertime often extends until 1 AM or later). The tall theme continues in the bedrooms, which boast vaulted ceilings of 16 or 18 feet in height. Other vintage touches include gleaming hardwood floors and period wooden moldings.
While providing turn of the century visual charm, our room was pleasingly updated with an all-new bathroom that featured a vessel sink, attractive tilework, and a bidet, in addition to a toilet and shower. Other modern touches included wireless internet, cable tv, air conditioning, and an exceptionally comfortable queen sized bed. Daily housekeeping service kept things spotless during our visit.
Our bedroom opened onto an open air hallway that extended to a small outdoor patio with a barbecue and eating area. Because it was winter when we visited, mornings were cool, so we took our breakfasts indoors in the attractive dining room. The morning meal featured lots of good strong coffee (again, useful when you've been out until the wee hours), fresh squeezed orange juice, eggs cooked to order, and a variety of pastries and fresh fruit. We enjoyed lingering at the breakfast table and conversing with other guests. There's also a large parlor area at the front of the house with comfortable seating, books, games, and a PC with internet access.
Casa Palermitano is located within short walking distance of all manner of services and amenities: restaurants of every sort, food markets, banking, and so on. A bit longer walk takes visitors to the center of Palermo with its exclusive shops, upscale restaurants and bars, and scenic parks. Taxis are plentiful and cheap and can transport you quickly to other barrios of the city for a matter of three or four dollars.
Without question, however, the best aspect of Casa Palermitano is the attitude and service provided by owners Lorena and Andrea. In addition to simply being friendly and fun to talk with, they cheerfully and efficiently made dinner reservations, procured airline and ferry tickets, arranged taxis, and provided all sorts of useful advice to guests. Literally not a day went by that we didn't rely on them to help us out with some sort of service, and without exception that service was provided efficiently and with a smile.
My wife and I travel frequently and typically avoid B&Bs, which too often confront guests with kitsch, awkward intimacy, and unwanted companionship. However, as first-time visitors to Buenos Aires, we really wanted to experience the city in a more authentic way than we could get by staying in a big-box international hotel. We felt like we were taking something of a chance on Casa Palermitano, but within minutes of arriving there, we knew we'd made the right choice. We retained an appropriate level of privacy yet still enjoyed the unique experience of staying in a residential area, with the advice and perspective of local dwellers. Furthermore, we had access to assistance and other services either unavailable or unaffordable at a traditional hotel.
We arrived at Casa Palermitano as guests, but departed as friends. I can't give a higher recommendation than that.
www.casapalermitano.com
Recommended:
Yes
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