56 Best Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Behind the unassuming white facade of this century-old town house and convent is what the proprietors have dubbed Argentina's "first designer B&B." Common areas have bold, colorful paintings and fanciful sculptures that give it the feel of an art gallery. Done up in creamy shades of white, the smartly decorated rooms all have private, though not necessarily en suite, bathrooms. Both sides of the narrow hallways are lined with rooms, eliminating any sense of privacy, but the bustling Palermo Soho location is hard to beat. A complimentary afternoon picada (Argentine snack tray) is offered daily. The young staff can steer you toward the neighborhood's newest restaurants and nightspots.

Technology is front and center at the 1828 Smart Hotel, where you're lent a tablet computer when you check in that lets you control everything in your room from the curtains to the fragrance, request room service, and order a taxi. The monochromatic design of the shiny marble lobby, where a digital baby grand piano taps out tunes on its own in the evening, extends to the rooms in gleaming white softened with touches of blue. Rooms in the rear of the hotel overlook a tempting pool with a softly cascading waterfall—at night it's beautifully illuminated. There's also a full-service restaurant and a wellness area that includes a few cardio machines. The staff is more than happy to help with restaurant recommendations and directions to the sights.

This lodging has an impressive ground-floor gallery where exhibits of paintings, photographs, and sculptures by acclaimed Argentine artists change monthly—you may run into art aficionados sipping wine and admiring the creations. Rooms are classified as "small and cozy," "queen," or "king," and many have wrought-iron beds hung with white canopies. The building's 100-year-old elevator takes you to the rooftop patio, where there's a hot tub and plenty of room to soak up the sun.

Every detail of this hotel, one of the ritziest properties in the city, makes it clear that your comfort is of the utmost importance. A concierge contacts you ahead of time to begin preparing your itinerary, and, once you arrive, you're welcomed with a drink as the staff unpacks your belongings. The suites are bright and comfortable, with dark parquet floors, cream-color walls, Italian Calcatta marble bathrooms, plush bedding, and bookcases filled with photography books showcasing Argentina. The hotel often hosts events for luxury brands in the wine bar or the cigar bar.

The sleek Alvear Art Hotel is set back behind some trees on a pedestrian-only street in the heart of the city’s business district. It has a younger, faster feel than the grand dame Alvear Palace Hotel, but delivers the same top-of-the-line service. Black-and-white photos of Buenos Aires decorate the rooms, which have heavenly beds that are turned down at night, and enormous marble bathrooms. Even though it’s only a block off noisy 9 de Julio, the double-paned windows, blackout blinds, and warm color palette of tans, creams, and light green create a quiet retreat. The glassed-in pool and whirlpool tub on the 17th floor provide fantastic city panoramas.

The standard-bearer for upscale sophistication since 1932, the Alvear Palace is undoubtedly the shining star of the city's hotel scene: scores of dignitaries, celebrities, and VIPs have passed through its doors over the years, and they keep coming back for the world-class service and refined atmosphere. Elegantly decorated rooms feature silky carpets, gorgeous draperies, and featherbeds topped with Egyptian-cotton linens. Guests staying in any one of the 100 suites receive the services of a white-gloved personal butler who will unpack your bags, press wrinkled clothes, and tend to your every need. The lunch buffet and afternoon tea at L'Orangerie are out of this world.

Perfect for business travelers on extended stays, couples looking for some stretching room, or families in need of some privacy, this apartment-style hotel's accommodations are bright, roomy, and pleasant. They all have shiny wooden floors, snowy white linens, functional kitchens, and contemporary artwork. A couple blocks away is the slightly bigger Art Suites & Gallery, decorated in the same fresh, contemporary aesthetic. Both properties are located in residential pockets of Recoleta, conveniently close to the neighborhood's favorite sights, shopping, and restaurants.

This is the personal home of director Francis Ford Coppola, who lived here while filming Tetro and still visits regularly. The beautifully restored property, now operated by Brazilian hotel chain Bourbon, is decorated with Latin American artwork chosen by the legendary filmmaker and his wife. The namesake "Hidden Garden" is jammed with exotic flowers and fruit trees and blessed with both sunshine and shade, perfect for working on your own masterpiece. The high-ceilinged family room teems with books about film and the arts, while the outside patio has a small swimming pool and a parrilla where a chef can grill a traditional meal. The back side of the house features Coppola's personal room, equipped with large closets and a gorgeous wood shaving sink.

Behind the wrought-iron doors and up the marble staircase of this art nouveau mansion is a beautifully restored 19th-century home with wooden floors, French windows, and decor that smartly blends the past with the present. Each of the seven rooms is unique—a different Argentine artist decorated each—and they take full advantage of every inch of space. The Louisa Suite has a four-poster bed, a glass-encased bathroom, and a private garden. Sister hotel Hotel Boutique Bonito is located at Chile 1507, in nearby Montserrat.

Quirky BoBo shrewdly combines the bourgeois with the bohemian—in fact, the hotel's name subtly references David Brooks's thought-provoking book Bobos in Paradise, about the blurred lines between these two concepts. Each of the simply furnished rooms has a different motif, such as art deco, minimalist, and techno. All have creature comforts like soft robes, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi access. The downstairs restaurant-café is a nice place to relax after pounding Palermo's pavement all day.

In a prime location for those in town for business or pleasure, this Recoleta hotel caters equally well to both types of travelers. With a seemingly constant stream of tour groups checking in, business executives holding meetings, and celebrities trying not to be noticed, there is always something happening. Despite the constant activity, the service never falters; the highly professional staff keep things running smoothly and happily tend to everyone's needs. Although they're lacking in original style, the stately rooms have richly stained wood furnishings and marble bathrooms. A leafy, European-style garden complete with a fountain sits behind the hotel.

This "wellness hotel" in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires has taken the concept of in-house spa to a new level, equipping each of its 17 rooms with jetted tubs—six deluxe rooms also have saunas where you can relax after a day of exploring the city. The vibe throughout this boutique property is eco-chic, with lounge chairs crafted from recycled fabrics and wood floors made from sustainable pine. Sleek bathrooms feature all-natural soaps, bath oils, and gels, as well as towel-warming machines and plenty of room for candles, chocolate, and champagne. An "honesty bar" lets you help yourself to juice, wine, and sweets.

A cozy boutique hotel with 22 rooms located on the historical cusp of San Telmo, Cassa Lepage uniquely brings together art and history under its roof, given that it houses its own archeology museum and art gallery featuring contemporary Argentine artists. Guests can take a guided tour of the property, then step out onto the narrow streets to be further bathed in nostalgia and history. For a touch of old-world grandeur, book a French balcony room.

Tall white columns and stately bow windows flank the entrance of the Claridge Hotel, beyond which you'll find the high-ceilinged lobby and a traditional British café and piano bar that draws a steady stream of politicians and businessmen. The brick building dates from 1946, and was built with an Anglo-Argentine clientele in mind. That feeling lingers in the spacious, elegant rooms with elegant wood furnishings and flowing draperies. The pool and spa are ideal for chilling out after a long porteño night.

Kudos go to the architect for this sleek space with spacious, loftlike rooms. The lobby's glass floor looks down to a small pool, just one example of the transparency theme that runs throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford amazing views, and mirrors have been placed for maximum effect. Rooms have rotating flat-screen TVs that let you watch from bed or from one of the leather recliners.

This futuristic hotel has a glass-covered lobby that grooves to chilled-out electronic music and a slender swimming pool that's often used for photo shoots. Sleek rooms have wood floors, streamlined furnishings, and kitchenettes with little extras like espresso machines. The cheerful staff is happy to give you a local's perspective on the best sites to visit. You're close to excellent shopping on Avenida Santa Fe and the stately Palacio Pizzurno.

As the name suggests, this 1920s French-style hotel is fit for a duke—or even a president, as the mansion once served as an Argentine president's private residence. The hotel is a romantic option for couples, and its standout factor is its welcoming and knowledgeable staff. They ensure the dining room's espresso machine is always at the ready and that baked goods are on display. The rooms are simple, though fresh and comfortable, done up in creamy whites and filled with elegant furnishings. For relaxation, there's an outdoor terrace with a pool.

Argentine icons—Eva Perón, Che Guevara, Jorge Luis Borges, among others—remind you just where you are when you stay at downtown's brashest hotel; their enormous portraits line the walls of the sleek lobby and art gallery. The spacious rooms are high-ceilinged and are decorated in muted grays and whites. Splashes of color are found in the funky throw rugs, sparkly pillows, and abstract paintings. This is one of the few downtown hotels that make a bold modernist statement, all the while gazing fondly back at Argentina's storied past. Esplendor also operates three other properties in Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, and Recoleta.

Argentine fashion impresario Alan Faena and famed French architect Philippe Starck have created a universe unto itself with this hotel: rooms are feng-shui perfect, with rich reds and crisp whites, sporting velvet curtains and blinds opening electronically to river or city views. "Experience managers" are basically personal assistants, tending to your every whim. Other highlights are two excellent restaurants and an elaborate spa with a Turkish bath. In El Cabaret, a blood-red music box of a room, dotted with red-leather couches, you can swig champagne and watch the contemporary and sensual Rojo Tango show. Next door in the Library Lounge you never know who might show up: Coldplay and local rock legend Charly Garcia once held an impromptu jam session around the piano. Also visit contemporary art exhibitions at nearby Faena Arts Center.

A choice lodging for travelers looking for a five-star stay in a boutique package, all rooms boast top-of-the-line beds, spacious living areas with chaise lounges, and flat-screen TVs. Staff delivers each guest a welcome tray of treats like macarons from the hotel's restaurant, UCO. The chef's menu changes seasonally and includes legendary breakfasts and homemade charcuterie.

One of the city's swankiest lodgings, the Four Seasons is a magnet for famous folk. There's an upscale equine theme that runs throughout the property, as evident with the contemporary horse sculptures on the front lawn and the hotel's Pony Line Bar, which always attracts a smart crowd. You'll even find tiny horses in the design of the guest rooms, which are modern, bright, and luxe.

This massive glass-and-steel structure puts you close to downtown and the seafood restaurants and fresh air of Puerto Madero. In the atrium lobby, exposed glass elevators and wraparound hallways are unusual and dizzying at times. Rooms have walk-in closets and large desks, and the turndown service always includes delicious little chocolates. The rooftop pool is a great place to sip a fruit smoothie and stare at the skyline.

Run by an Anglo-Argentinean couple, the Home Hotel oozes coolness, style, and class. Each room is decorated with vintage French wallpaper and has a stereo system. On site there's a beautifully kept garden, a barbecue area, swimming pool, a holistic spa, and a funky lounge bar where you can sip a cocktail and listen to mood music.

Given the frilly French-style facade, you could mistake the Bel Air for a neighborhood hotel somewhere in Paris. Inside, the decor is basic but modern, with a wood-panel lobby bar and a snazzy café that looks onto exclusive Arenales Street, dotted with art galleries and designer boutiques. Rooms have handsome wooden floors, small desks, and chairs or couches.

Resembling the old-money mansions of San Telmo, this hotel's rooms open onto a central patio where many guests choose to take their breakfast. From the balcony ringing the patio, the San Carlos Basílica—where Pope Francis was baptized—is visible and the chiming bells audible. The colorful, quiet rooms incorporate elements of an original building dating from 1904, including exposed brick ceilings and stained glass. The working-class neighborhood of Almagro where the owner was born and raised is a taste of "real" Buenos Aires.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering the Hotel Emperador is its magnificently ornate lobby, replete with beautiful marble floors, plush sofas, and gurgling fountains. The rooms are equally impressive: the basic rooms are about 450 square feet, and suites are double or triple that size. The decor is classic but not stuffy. Bathrooms have separate tubs and showers and gleaming fittings. There's an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center. The 21-story building has unobstructed views of the Río de la Plata and the city skyline. The Emperador is a favorite among visiting dignitaries and executives for its low-key, high-class service.

A favorite for visiting British rock stars, television personalities, and fashion photographers, this slick hotel is within walking distance of downtown as well as the riverside ecological reserve. The big, bright, modern rooms have sleek furnishings and sophisticated color schemes. Many also have fantastic views of the docks and city skyline; upgrade for your own outdoor Jacuzzi. The restaurant, Rëd Resto & Lounge, serves contemporary Argentine cuisine in an intimate setting. The breakfast buffet features fresh fruits and baked goods.

Topped with an eye-catching rooftop pool and patio, this enormous art deco showplace is a reminder of an earlier era. In the lobby, lofty pillars support a stained-glass ceiling that filters sunlight onto white marble floors, while the contemporary rooms have dark-wood floors and color schemes that feature bold oranges, reds, and black. There's a 24-hour fitness center and a highly regarded restaurant.

Over the years this landmark has hosted some of the country's biggest movers and shakers, including Juan and Eva Perón—no surprise, since it has a presidential suite that occupies an entire floor. Built in 1928, the Spanish baroque structure has some of the most luxurious rooms in the NH chain. Rooms have big, bouncy beds and handsome wood desks; the small bathrooms disappoint, though. Suites have private terraces overlooking the city and the Río de la Plata. The lobby café sits a half story above the sidewalk and offers grand views of passersby.

This historic hotel was treated to a face-lift when it was purchased by NH Hotels, but the Spanish chain made certain to respect the Lancaster's proud past. The modern rooms and suites feature well-preserved wood floors, leather headboards, and rich splashes of color. The bright and inviting lobby has a modern bar and small café that sits in the spot where many shady political deals were reportedly sealed when the hotel also had a British-style pub. Now much of the clientele is made up of U.S. and European cruise-ship visitors and foreign business executives.