This article, and the LandingPadBA.com guide to the “Charming, Small Hotels of Buenos Aires,” has been researched, written, and executed by our editor, Kristin Dean. As an introduction to this guide, here are a few words from our editor.
 | About a month ago, my family came to visit me here in Buenos Aires. Given that this was their first journey to South America, and that none of them speak more than a few words of Spanish, I was worried that they would not enjoy the city as much as I wanted them to. Since their stay would last more than a week, I reserved them a temporary apartment. The apartment was comfortable, in a great location just 5 blocks from my house, and a bargain. The place offered them a place to |
comfortably recover from the heat and buzz of the city. Although the place lacked the amenities offered at hotels, they were perfectly content. Having come and gone, they have since told me that their trip to Buenos Aires was their favorite family vacation yet, beating out tough competitors including Venice, Paris and London. Although, I don’t think it was their accommodations that made the trip so great.
One night over one of those amazing Buenos Aires steak dinners, my father was telling me all about a great hotel they had stayed in while traveling in Paris. He described it as a “charming, small hotel,” and while recounting the story I had already heard at least twice before, he went on about how much he enjoyed the company and suggestions of the woman who owned the place just Degres de Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the sweetly decorated interiors. Most of all, I got the sense that what really made his trip to Paris great was the fact that he had this amazing hotel where he could rest his tired traveler bones at night. Now, years after that trip to Paris, it’s not the food he talks about, it’s not the Louvre or the Museé d’Orsay. No. It’s that one, very special hotel. His intentions were not so, but I couldn’t help but feel bad for not trying to find him that same special hotel in Buenos Aires.
This really got me thinking. I’ve been working with LandingPadBA.com for almost a year, but up until now, we have only offered apartment rentals. Those of us who work here—all of us being young and poor when we first arrived here—all chose temporary apartments as our landing pads, so to speak. To us, it only seemed logical to offer temporary apartments as our best recommendation for travelers. While I stand by my initial recommendation, especially for those wanting to save a few dollars or those who will stay in Buenos Aires for more than a couple of weeks, I now know that there really is something special about a good hotel. Yes. Hotels can be more expensive than temporary apartments. But the experience of staying in a truly great hotel — not necessarily an expensive one — just can’t be matched by an apartment.
The Process: How to find a Charming, Small Hotel
So I set out to find the “Charming, Small Hotels of Buenos Aires,” both out of curiosity and as a service to you, the LandingPadBA.com reader. Starting with the barrio (neighborhood) of Palermo, I made a list of every single hotel in this part of the city. With the help of my amazing intern, Jacqueline Berkery, we personally toured each and every one of the more than 60 hotels in this neighborhood.
What we found was astounding. We learned that some hotels in Buenos Aires are trucho (fake). These hotels do not abide by the rules, and do not undergo the necessary and rigorous inspections set forth by the government of the city of Buenos Aires. Those definitely did not make the list.
Those hotels that DID make our very short list of just 15 hotels here in Palermo, however, are simply lovely. To be honest, choosing the hotels for this list was not a difficult task. Usually within just moments we knew whether or not the place was one of our very own “Charming, Small Hotels.”
How did we pick our Charming, Small Hotels?
We, of course, took into consideration the standard features of a good hotel: cleanliness, atmosphere, location, value, etc. Of the more than 60 hotels that we visited, however, many of them were reasonable on all normal fronts. The most important question that we asked ourselves throughout this selection process was: after a trip to Buenos Aires, would this hotel be the first thing, the most memorable and enjoyable part of my trip, that I would years later talk about with my family and friends?
We also recognize, however, that the term “charming” means different things to different people. For that reason, we selected a variety of hotels that offer their own distinct experiences. While you’re browsing our list of hotels, pay close attention to our descriptions of The Onda (the vibe) and our suggestions that This hotel is perfect for…
Along side our descriptions and recommendations, you’ll also find maps, photos, slideshows with beautiful photos of each hotel, and lists of amenities. If you’ve stayed at these hotels, you can contribute too. Rate each hotel by clicking on the stars at the bottom of the post, and leave your comments below.
A service to our readers
You’ll also notice that we have included links to each hotel’s website. We offer these links to save you the hassle of having to do separate (and annoying) google searches, and to put as much information as possible right at your fingertips. Be sure to check their prices, but don’t book through their websites, as great things come to LandingPad readers who start their reservation through us.
NOTE that many of our favorite Charming, Small Hotels offer special deals and/or free gifts for LandingPadBA.com readers. These hotels know the value of our website and want to support both us and YOU throughout the difficult task of choosing the best hotel for your Buenos Aires stay. To get in on these deals, start your reservation by filling out the form on our site. Shortly thereafter, someone from the hotel of your choice will get in touch to confirm the availability of the room you want, and confirm your reservation.
To conclude…
Charming, Small Hotels has been, and continues to be, a real labor of love. As an architectural historian, it was the great buildings that brought me to this grand city in the first place. The opportunity to tour these amazing places has been an honor, and a great experience. Now you have the opportunity to benefit from my own hard work and sweat (yes, I did this research in the blistering heat of summer and there certainly was a lot of sweat involved), and book your own hotel stay with 100% confidence. Furthermore, I also offer my services for hotel recommendations and itinerary planning through LandingPadBA.com. So if you want a little help, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Although Palermo is, by far, the most popular part of the city for travelers to stay, it is not the only great option in this great city. In upcoming months, I will be expanding this guide to include the “Charming, Small Hotels,” of other neighborhoods: San Telmo, Recoleta, Barrio Norte, Belgrano, Retiro, Congresso, and Tribunales. So stay tuned!
Want to get browsing?
View full list of Charming, Small Hotels
Check out our map of hotels in Palermo
Do your homework: read all about Palermo in our barrio guide
Or view each hotel individually:
| Casa Las Canitas Location: Las Canitas, Palermo |
| 248 Finisterra Location: Las Canitas, Palermo |
| Home Location: Palermo Hollywood, Palermo |
.jpg "New Guide! Charming, Small Hotels in Buenos Aires Photo") | Noa Noa Lofts Location: Palermo Hollywood, Palermo |
| Magnolia Hotel Boutique Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | Craft Hip Hotel Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | Mine Hotel Boutique Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | Own Hotel Location: Palermo Hollywood, Palermo |
 | Krista Hotel Boutique Location: Palermo Hollywood, Palermo |
 | 1555 Malabia Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | The Glu Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | Tailor Made Location: Las Canitas, Palermo |
 | Bobo Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | Duque Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
 | Vain Location: Palermo Viejo, Palermo |
Kristin Dean
LandingPadBA.com editor
Related Articles from LandingPadBA:
| | Own Palermo Hollywood (Charming small hotel) LandingPadBA.com Rating:  |
 | 248 Finisterra Discount Reservations 248 Finisterra is a cozy small hotel in Buenos Aires, a place where you can’t help but feel perfect |
| | Casa Las Cañitas (Charming, small hotel in Palermo) LandingPadBA.com Rating: |
One response to "New Guide! Charming, Small Hotels in Buenos Aires"
I just barely stumbled on this site today so I'm not sure how long Palermo has had its "Charming, Small Hotels" posted. Either way, I'm looking for a place downtown or in San Telmo. Is there an estimated time when either of those sections will open up? Thanks to the editor for doing this! It's GREATLY appreciated. Especially 'cuz "charming, small hotels' are just what my wife and I are looking for!
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