Buenos Aires
Accommodation
Hotels and Bed and Breakfast
Most five- and four-star hotels in Buenos Aires offer in-room safes, 24-hour room service, cable TV, direct-dial phones with voice mail, in-room modem access or Wi-Fi. Other common amenities include health clubs, pools, and spas. However, three- or two-star hotels often lack these amenities, although air-conditioning and lobby-based Wi-Fi access has become virtually standard in all hotels in Buenos Aires. With less expensive hotels, ask to see the available rooms before booking. In many instances, especially with renovated hotels, huge rooms and small rooms are sometimes offered at exactly the same price.
Local and family run hotels offer charm that is not available at major establishments. However, while many people in Buenos Aires's travel industry speak English, this will not necessarily be the case at less expensive or family-run hotels. Also, amenities such as a hair dryer, iron, or coffee maker might only be available upon request at the concierge. The same applies for safes, which might not be in the room but at the front desk. Always ask for a receipt when securing valuables at the front desk, and find out whether keys for access are available during certain hours of the day or 24 hours.
Finally, hostels are usually booked by young, budget-minded, and adventurous travellers who don't mind shared accommodations. However, some hostels also have private rooms with attached bathrooms for one person as well as for groups. Most hostels provide linens and offer 24-hour access, with no lockout periods.
Useful Addresses
29/05/2009