Buenos Aires, Argentina
| The
rhythm of the tango seems to pervade this vibrant Argentine
metropolis, where the people—and the cars—move
at a frenetic pace. This city is the commercial hub
of Argentina, and its port is one of the busiest in
the world. Thriving industries include oil refining,
textile production, metalworking and automobile manufacturing.
Products such as meat, grain and tobacco are also processed
and manufactured here. But this isn't a grubby old industrial
city. With its broad boulevards, stately architecture,
sophisticated restaurants and sidewalk cafés,
Buenos Aires is considered the most "European"
of South America's capitals. It is also one of the most
expensive. Expect to pay as much for a good hotel room
or a meal as you would in New
York City. However, Argentine wines—many of
which are superb by international standards—are
usually a bargain. |
Facts
to Know Before You Go |
Currency:
| The
currency in Buenos Aires is the Argentine peso
(ARS), which is divided into 100 centavos. The
$ symbol is used to represent the peso, while
U.S. dollars are indicated as U$S. |
Transportation:
| Airports
Ezeiza International Airport is located fifteen
minutes outside of Buenos Aires. It is recommended
that you reserve taxis with one of the businesses
at the airport, rather than through independent
taxi drivers.
Taxis
Taxis are black cars with a yellow roof. The
minimum cab fare is $1.20. Unless you are traveling
with baggage, tipping is not expected. |
Information:
|
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|
 Opened
in 1932, this stately landmark has played home away
from home for numerous luminaries, from Lee Iacocca
to Antonio Banderas. The 110 guestrooms and 100 suites
feature sumptuous European-style décor and
state-of-the-art amenities like touch screen telephones.
Practicality resides comfortably with luxurious touches
such as Frette bed linens and Hermès de Paris
toiletries. Deluxe suites, with separate living rooms
and bedrooms, are perfect for business travelers who
don't want to sleep in their on-the-road offices.
Another draw for corporate guests is the well-equipped
business center. Recreational diversions include L'Orangerie
restaurant, a health club, pool and rooftop garden.
Located in the chic residential Recoleta district,
the Alvear Palace is surrounded by good restaurants
and only ten minutes from the financial district.
 Among
Buenos Aires' luxury hotels, Faena Hotel + Universe
departs from the typical Old World offerings with
its contemporary, fiery style. We're not just talking
about color: flaming combinations conceived by fashion
stylist Alan Faena and seemingly omnipresent designer
Philippe Starck. We mean attitude, too. Experience
Managers serve as concierge, butler and personal assistant
from the moment you arrive 'til the time you depart;
and the collection of striking onsite restaurants
includes the pure white El Bistro with unicorn head
statues on the walls, the rustic El Mercado inspired
by the old markets of Europe and El Cabaret for a
cigar at the end of a long work day. This place isn't
all show, though. Among the draws for corporate types
are a business center, meeting rooms and Executive
Studios with plenty of office-friendly amenities,
foot massage on arrival and groovy automated velvet
curtains.
 The
Four Seasons in Buenos Aires—elegant as expected—unites
an early twentieth-century Belle Époque-style
mansion with a contemporary tower near the residential
Recoleta district. There are seven ornate and individually
decorated suites in La Mansion; the tower houses a
variety of accommodations, including a selection of
executive suites. One of the advantages of staying
in the tower is the view over the mansion. Guests
in Preferred rooms and suites enjoy access to The
Library, a lounge with complimentary Internet access
and space for you to meet with clients and colleagues.
In-room business amenities include cell phones, fax
machines on request, multi-line cordless phones, voicemail
and high-speed wireless Internet access. Meeting spaces
range from a Grand Salon for receptions to boardrooms
decorated with original artwork. Le Mistral restaurant,
a health club and spa provide off-hours relaxation.
Marriott Plaza Hotel Buenos Aires
Florida 1005
54-11-4318-3000
marriott.com
|
|
 Combining
the prestige of the original Plaza hotel (opened in
1909) with the solid reputation of its current management
(the Marriott group), Marriott Plaza Hotel Buenos
Aires is an appealing and sometimes surprisingly sophisticated
bet. The hotel was renovated in 1993, and today offers
features such as Wi-Fi access in the Executive Lounge
and more than 300 executive-oriented accommodations,
dubbed The Room that Works. The Plaza Grill is a refined
spot for business wining and dining, and the health
club and attractive outdoor pool provide options for
burning off steam at the end of the day. The classy
chandelier-draped Fiestas Ballroom, Dorado Room and
San Martin meeting room round out the hotel's comprehensive
business offerings.
 This
23-story high-rise caters primarily to business travelers,
so you can expect a staff that understands your needs.
At the same time, it has plenty of style, beginning
in its antiques-filled lobby. The tasteful rooms are
spacious and come with all the expected high-tech
niceties, from high-speed Internet access to CD players.
Corner suites offer extra workspace and rooms on the
higher floors feature views of the city and Rio de
la Plata. The hotel's onsite business amenities are
complemented by a range of available corporate and
convention facilities in the adjacent Sheraton Buenos
Aires Hotel & Convention Center, where guests
also have access to additional restaurants and tennis
courts.
|
|
This
grand coffeehouse on Buenos Aires's “Champs-Elysées”
is where Argentines have discussed literature and gossiped
while snacking on pastries and sipping strong South
American coffee since 1858. Today, it offers a perfect
"coffee break" for visiting executives. The
food comes secondary to the historic atmosphere, so
enjoy a cup of café while admiring the Art Nouveau
interior in the oldest confiteria in Argentina. Some
evenings, in the basement, tango singers or jazz musicians
entertain, but you should call ahead to reserve. |
|
Many
consider this formal French restaurant, situated in
Buenos Aires' most elegant hotel, the best in the city.
Certainly, it's an excellent choice for impressing clients.
Chef Jean-Paul Bondoux grows herbs and vegetables on
his own farm, and serves classics such as chateaubriand,
duck au cassis, roasted salmon and veal steak in his
magnificent dining room. The wine list includes South
American as well as French labels.
|
|
This
lively steakhouse is a great place to unwind, get to know
your colleagues better and try parrillada, the traditional
Argentine mixed grill of various types of beef including
steak, ribs and sausage, all brought to the table on a
charcoal brazier and served with an intense garlic-and-lemon
chimichurri sauce. Located in the heart of Buenos Aires,
La Cabaña has been host to VIPs such as Louis Armstrong,
Fidel Castro and Walt Disney. Its wood-paneled dining
rooms are always packed with locals as well as tourists.
You can't miss it—instead of a doorman there's a
stuffed steer out front. |
|
Visit
Sucre, an elite, Buenos Aires hot spot, for modern Argentine
food and a slick atmosphere ideal for 21st-century wheeling
and dealing. Chef Fernando Trocca does not disappoint.
Try the Patagonian lamb or the Antarctic king crabs,
and watch the chefs work while you eat in the chic dining
room. The post-industrial décor provides a nice
atmosphere. Be sure to check out the excellent Argentine
wines as well.
|
|
In
the mood for Italian in Argentina? Filo is a lively place
that caters to a younger, hipper crowd and serves delicious
Italian food. It's a casual, fun spot, whether on or off
the clock. The pizzas and pastas are out of this world.
Madonna has even been seen dining here. The restaurant
also houses an art space in the basement. The bar carries
over sixty varieties of Scotch and is typically crowded.
Sometimes live music or tango lessons are offered. |
| Museo
Evita
Calle Lafinur 2988
54-11-4807-3168
www.evitaperon.org
The
Evita Museum opened in the Palermo area in 2002 on the
50th anniversary of Eva Duarte Peron’s death.
Housed in grand mansion from the 1920s, it displays
the story of Evita’s fascinating life and work
through memorabilia such as dresses, copies of her speeches,
magazine covers and items from the 1947 woman's suffrage
movement. Evita was both one of the most respected and
despised icons in Argentine history, whose life ended
at age 33 when she died of cancer.
Teatro
Colón
Toscanini 1180
54-11-4378-7344
www.teatrocolon.org.ar
This
French-Renaissance-style theater, with its amazing Raul
Soldi, frescos seen in the dome, is said to have some
of the best acoustics in the world. It opened in 1908
and has presented spectacular performances by stars
such as Arturo Toscanini, Maria Callas and Placido Domingo.
Catch a performance or take a guided tour of the basement
workshops, seating areas, rehearsal rooms and the stage
to see how the impressive performances are put on.
Recoleta Cemetery
Calle Junín 1760
54-11-4803-1594
Thousands
of tourists flock to this famous cemetery every year,
mostly to visit the grave of Eva Peron, who is buried
next to some of the country’s most beloved and
influential people, including presidents, scientists
and writers. Built in 1822, this miniature city spreads
across a length of four city blocks. As you enter through
the neo-classical gates, you’ll see thousands
of marble mausoleums decorated with statues. It is interesting
to note that the death dates but not birth dates are
engraved onto the façades.
San
Telmo Barrio
Take
a walking tour of San Telmo (named after Saint Pedro
Gonzales Telmo), one of the oldest barrios in Buenos
Aires. It is well preserved with many cafés,
antique shops, art studios and streets still paved with
the original cobblestones. On Sundays, a popular outdoor
antiques market is held at Dorrego, the main public
square. The Museo de Arte Moderno is also located here.
Along with its lively street life, the area is famous
for the tango.
Museo
de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA)
Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415
54-11-4808-6500
www.malba.org.ar
The
contemporary building of the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano
de Buenos Aires (MALBA) contains Colección Costantini,
the private art collection of Eduardo Constantini. With
more than 200 works of twentieth-century art, it is
thought to be one of the largest collections of Latin
American art anywhere. Also worth a visit are the outdoor
sculpture balcony and the temporary exhibits, where
you may encounter pieces by Diego Rivera, Antonio Berni
and Frida Kahlo. Admittance is free on Wednesdays. |
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| P111605 |
(Updated:
01/19/07) |
|
