Globally known as the city of Tango, Buenos Aires is a vibrant metropolis that effortlessly marries European elegance with Latin American flair. Playful and enchanting, this city indulges discerning travelers with its savory cuisine, rich cultural offerings, architectural marvels, and the hospitality of its people.
In this post, we’ll share with you some of the main lavish attractions you can enjoy with your family.
Let’s dive into Buenos Aires’ luxury offerings.
Luxury Hotels in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires boasts an array of exquisite accommodations, providing discerning travelers with lavish options for their stay in the city.
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires
The Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, set in the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood, is a luxurious blend of early 20th-century architecture and contemporary design. Initially opened in 1992 as the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, it was taken over by the Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in 2001. The hotel combines a stunning French-style mansion with a modern 13-story tower, maintaining Belle Époque interiors throughout.
Source: Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires
This luxury hotel is known for its upscale decor, incorporating local artwork and offering amenities like private tango lessons, and Cielo Spa, which provides a unique menu of therapeutic massages. Located in a prestigious area of Buenos Aires, the Four Seasons hotel is close to Patio Bullrich, the city’s most high-end shopping mall.
Faena Hotel
The Faena Hotel Buenos Aires, located in the vibrant Puerto Madero district, is a luxury five-star hotel known for its colorful, exciting, and eclectic ambiance. It has been recognized as one of the top five hotels in Argentina by Condé Nast readers.
The hotel is an urban oasis in the heart of the city, notable for its red velvet decor, sweeping panoramic views, and elements of golden Belle Époque elegance. It features plush accommodations, with rooms boasting stylish décor, automatic velvet curtains, and Venetian blinds.
Source: Faena Hotel
Additionally, the hotel provides amenities such as spa facilities with world-class treatments and a swimming pool. A notable highlight of the Faena Hotel Buenos Aires is its wine cellar, La Cava, which houses over 4,000 bottles, making it the most comprehensive wine collection in Argentina.
Algodon Mansion
Algodon Mansion is a luxury boutique hotel located in the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires. This hotel, housed in a landmark 1912 building, seamlessly blends French classical design with modern sophistication. It’s recognized for its spacious suites that offer superior comforts, amenities, and a high standard of personalized service.
The hotel’s design and ambiance reflect a combination of historical elegance and contemporary luxury. It prides itself on attention to detail in every aspect, from service to interior design, ensuring a sublime guest experience. Algodon Mansion is also known for its excellent dining options and extensive wine selection, catering to guests looking for both quality and elegance.
Source: Algodon Mansion
As a part of the high-end Recoleta district, the hotel is surrounded by an array of chic boutiques, restaurants, and galleries, making it a prime location for visitors seeking a top-tier experience in Buenos Aires. It holds the distinction of being the city’s only Relais & Chateaux hotel, a mark of its chic and elegant décor and highly trained service team.
Experience the Buenos Aires Countryside: Visit a Estancia
An estancia, akin to an Argentine ranch, provides a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Argentina’s countryside culture and traditions. These lavish properties, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city, provide a serene escape for the whole family. Plus, they offer a variety of activities, including thrilling horseback rides, for guests to truly enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and heritage of rural Argentina. Plus, in many of them, you can also enjoy Polo lessons.
For those craving a deeper cultural plunge, estancias also provide an authentic gaucho experience. You can gain insight into the traditions and lifestyles of Argentina’s cowboys, the gauchos, and witness live demonstrations that vividly illustrate their remarkable skills and way of life.
Some estancias worth visiting include:
Estancia la bamba de Areco, source: Relais & Chetaux
Indulge in Cafe Culture with Style: Best Cafes in Buenos Aires
In Argentina, cafes are cherished as social hubs where people gather to relax, and converse. Traditionally, people enjoy espresso, tea, or hot chocolate with pastries, such as medialunas (croissants) and alfajores (dulce de leche-filled cookies).
Alvear Afternoon Tea
The afternoon tea at Buenos Aires’ Alvear Palace Hotel is a luxurious, multi-hour experience offered in an upscale yet relaxed setting. The tea selection includes nearly 20 varieties, highlighted by a special house blend. Guests are served in an elegant dining room or a leafy garden area, with professional waiters providing attentive service. The food is a fixed selection, beginning with homemade breads and scones, followed by a variety of savory and sweet items, and concluding with a choice of individual cakes. Guests often end the experience with champagne. The overall ambiance and service of the tea at Alvear Palace Hotel are highly praised for their elegance and excellence.
It’s available Monday to Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m., and booking is required.
Café Tortoni
Café Tortoni is a historic and cultural landmark, established in 1858 as the country’s oldest café. Renowned for its European-style ambiance and timeless elegance, it offers an authentic experience of Argentina’s traditional café scene. The café’s main attractions are its authentic coffee and delicious pastries.
Recognized as one of the “cafe notables,” Café Tortoni has been a meeting place for historic figures and played a significant role in the arts, particularly tango. The interior features high ceilings, intricate designs, and elegant wooden furnishings, with waiters in sophisticated suits adding to the ambiance. Despite its popularity and potential crowds, the café’s charm and architectural beauty make it a must-visit destination in Buenos Aires.
Source: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Best Asado in Buenos Aires
Argentina has earned global acclaim for its meat, and it’s well deserved. Argentina’s long-standing grilling tradition, or asado, has perfected the art of barbecue, making it a cultural cornerstone.
Buenos Aires’ luxury barbecue restaurants elevate asado to an opulent level, offering discerning patrons an unforgettable culinary journey of premium meats, exquisite wines, and impeccable service.
Don Julio
Don Julio is situated in a 19th-century mansion in the Palermo neighborhood. The restaurant was ranked third among the best in Latin America. Don Julio is celebrated for its exceptional service, excellent wine cellar, and superb cuts of Aberdeen Angus and Hereford beef. Moreover, these meats are matured in a climate-controlled refrigerator for at least 21 days to achieve perfect maturation.
Making a reservation at Don Julio is highly recommended due to its popularity. The restaurant allows bookings up to 90 days in advance.
La Cabrera
La Cabrera is located in the vibrant Palermo neighborhood, and it’s been a popular steakhouse for both locals and tourists for over twenty years. Known for its high-quality meats, especially its Wagyu ribeye and sirloin steaks, La Cabrera offers a unique dining experience.
The restaurant serves its meat dishes with a variety of casseroles made from seasonal ingredients, continuously replenished until guests are satisfied. La Cabrera also offers lesser-known cuts like ribeye cap and “ruso bife” from the cow’s foreleg, catering to those seeking a diverse culinary experience.
Buenos Aires’ Luxury: Key Takeaways
Today, we explored the traditional attractions of Buenos Aires that you can savor with your family. Nevertheless, this city has a wealth of offerings beyond this, including art galleries, gourmet food, and a vibrant nightlife. For the sake of brevity, we couldn’t include everything in one post.
Want to delve deeper into the array of luxury experiences in Buenos Aires? Consult our global directory for discerning travelers and customize your opulent adventure.