Pre and Post Cruise - Buenos Aires

[JAKE3337]

I'm just looking at booking our flights for our cruise next February. It is cheaper if we stay 1 day prior and 1 day after the cruise but it looks like we dock very early. Will we be able to check in that early to a hotel after our cruise? If not, is it safe to leave our belongings at the hotel?

 

We are thinking either the Sheraton Libertador (we would have to pay) or we could stay for free with points at the Intercontinential or Holiday Inn Express but I don't think the the location for them is as good as the Sheraton.

 

Would you pay an extra $150 per person to go 2 days prior to the cruise or 1 day prior and 1 day post? I'm just wondering if it might be easier to go 2 days prior. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Thank you!

Angela

[J-D]

There are of course no guarantees about room availability early in the day if you have not paid for the preceding night. However, we have twice arrived at the Sheraton Libertador around noon (well before the official check in time) and on both occasions were able to check in right away. This was in Feb. 2010 and again in Feb. 2013.

 

We did not need to use the luggage checking facility at the Sheraton Libertador, but I would not have hesitated to do so if it had been needed.

 

There was certainly much of interest to us in and near B.A., and I suggest staying for more than two pre- and/or post-cruise nights if possible. We arrived 4 days before each of our cruises that boarded in B.A. (2010 and 2013). We could happily have spent more days than that in B.A.

 

John

[JAKE3337]

There are of course no guarantees about room availability early in the day if you have not paid for the preceding night. However, we have twice arrived at the Sheraton Libertador around noon (well before the official check in time) and on both occasions were able to check in right away. This was in Feb. 2010 and again in Feb. 2013.

 

We did not need to use the luggage checking facility at the Sheraton Libertador, but I would not have hesitated to do so if it had been needed.

 

There was certainly much of interest to us in and near B.A., and I suggest staying for more than two pre- and/or post-cruise nights if possible. We arrived 4 days before each of our cruises that boarded in B.A. (2010 and 2013). We could happily have spent more days than that in B.A.

 

John

 

Ok, thank you John. I'll look at maybe going 3 nights pre-cruise as well.

 

Angela

[Floridiana]

Personally I think the Hilton in the Puerto Madero section has a better location. It is in safe walking distance to nice restaurants, to the casa rosada and the cathedral.

We chose a more moderate hotel, stayed 2 days prior, flew out to Puerto Iguazu to see the falls (spectacular), stayed two nights and returned to the same Bs.As. hotel where we stayed another night before embarking.

[JAKE3337]

Do you have any idea if the Holiday Inn Express or Intercontinental Hotels are in a safe / good location for walking/seeing things? We could stay there free on rewards points. If not, that is ok, we will stay elsewhere. I have also heard that about the Hilton as well from someone else.

 

Thanks

Angela

[J-D]

The Hilton is in a recently-redeveloped area -- not very representative of the majority of the city. Whether that is a good or not so good thing would be a matter of taste. Its distance from the Plaza de Mayo (Casa Rosada, cathedral, etc.) is, I think, slightly less than the distance from the Sheraton Libertador to the Plaza de Mayo. Either is quite walkable. We were happy at the Sheraton Lib., and I expect we would have been happy at the Hilton as well. We found the area around the Sheraton to be interesting and there were many modestly priced but good restaurants. I cannot comment on the Hol. Inn Expr or Intercontinental or their surroundings.

 

John

[Keith1010]

I would arrive a couple of days before your cruise. There is much to see in Buenos Aires and I believe in arriving early for a cruise.

 

Most return flights leave a night so I would fly home the day your cruise ends.

 

Keith

[dr__dawggy]

Do you have any idea if the Holiday Inn Express or Intercontinental Hotels are in a safe / good location for walking/seeing things? We could stay there free on rewards points. If not, that is ok, we will stay elsewhere. I have also heard that about the Hilton as well from someone else.

 

Thanks

Angela

 

I have stayed in the HI Express and Intrcontinental I have been to the Asia de Cuba nightclub attached to the Hilton, although I have never stayed there.

 

The HI and Intercontinental are on opposite end of the downtown area. The area around the IC is fine during the day, but is forlorn at night as the banks and government buildings in the area close for business. I stayed there when my flight was overbooked and the airline offered a free night and hundreds of dollars in Future flight credit to stay over. Otherwise, I would probably not choose this hotel, although the hotel itself is quite nice.

 

The HI Express is on a busy street fronting Puerto Madero. It, too, caters more to a business clientele although there is more activity in the area at night along the old dock area of the port and on Reconquista pedestrian street. The hotel itself is adequate, meeting HI Express standards, but not As nice as the Inercontinental. Safety is a relative term, but of the two the area around the HI Express is probably safer. It is also closer to the cruise dock.

 

The Hilton is a nice hotel located in a newly developing neighborhood. It is considered the safest area of Buenos Areas, protected both by the local police and the merchant marines. The hotel and area are bit sterile in my opinion. The hotel is standard Hilton, The same as you might find in Cleveland. The neighborhood lacks the sense of "barrio" or street life found in more developed parts of the city.

[2ashevillesailors]

There are of course no guarantees about room availability early in the day if you have not paid for the preceding night. However, we have twice arrived at the Sheraton Libertador around noon (well before the official check in time) and on both occasions were able to check in right away. This was in Feb. 2010 and again in Feb. 2013.

 

We did not need to use the luggage checking facility at the Sheraton Libertador, but I would not have hesitated to do so if it had been needed.

 

There was certainly much of interest to us in and near B.A., and I suggest staying for more than two pre- and/or post-cruise nights if possible. We arrived 4 days before each of our cruises that boarded in B.A. (2010 and 2013). We could happily have spent more days than that in B.A.

 

John

Did you do a tango show and dinner anywhere? Also, if there was something you really liked would you mind relaying it to me? Thanks, Mary

[2ashevillesailors]

I have stayed in the HI Express and Intrcontinental I have been to the Asia de Cuba nightclub attached to the Hilton, although I have never stayed there.

 

The HI and Intercontinental are on opposite end of the downtown area. The area around the IC is fine during the day, but is forlorn at night as the banks and government buildings in the area close for business. I stayed there when my flight was overbooked and the airline offered a free night and hundreds of dollars in Future flight credit to stay over. Otherwise, I would probably not choose this hotel, although the hotel itself is quite nice.

 

The HI Express is on a busy street fronting Puerto Madero. It, too, caters more to a business clientele although there is more activity in the area at night along the old dock area of the port and on Reconquista pedestrian street. The hotel itself is adequate, meeting HI Express standards, but not As nice as the Inercontinental. Safety is a relative term, but of the two the area around the HI Express is probably safer. It is also closer to the cruise dock.

 

The Hilton is a nice hotel located in a newly developing neighborhood. It is considered the safest area of Buenos Areas, protected both by the local police and the merchant marines. The hotel and area are bit sterile in my opinion. The hotel is standard Hilton, The same as you might find in Cleveland. The neighborhood lacks the sense of "barrio" or street life found in more developed parts of the city.

What about the Plaza Hotel by Marriott on Florida Avenue, any thoughts? Also I was reading about taxis from airport to the hotel, it was stated that it is a rip off inside the airport area, they won't let independents in and charge anywhere from double or more for your fare? Do you agree? Mary

[HDS]

What about the Plaza Hotel by Marriott on Florida Avenue, any thoughts? Also I was reading about taxis from airport to the hotel, it was stated that it is a rip off inside the airport area, they won't let independents in and charge anywhere from double or more for your fare? Do you agree? Mary

 

In February 2012 the taxis outside the international airport were the rip off, rude, aggressive taxi touts quoting twice the price of a remiss (car and driver) arranged at one of the booths inside the airport terminal. We used Manuel Tienda Leon, but there is also a reliable taxi company (I think Taxi Ezezia) with a booth and (I think) blue and white banner inside the terminal.

 

Once in the city we had no problem with taxis hailed in the street or from outside the domestic terminal. I showed the driver a map with the name of our destination as I don't speak Spanish.

 

Don't know why the international airport is such a problem.

[dr__dawggy]

What about the Plaza Hotel by Marriott on Florida Avenue, any thoughts? Also I was reading about taxis from airport to the hotel, it was stated that it is a rip off inside the airport area, they won't let independents in and charge anywhere from double or more for your fare? Do you agree? Mary

 

Airport. There are three forms of reliable, safe, fairly priced transportation from the airport to downtown. First, private car services (called a remis). Several services operate booths located just as you exit customs. Manuel Tienda Leon is the largest of these services. Others include VIP and WorldCar.

http://www.tiendaleon.com.ar/home/home.asp The current cost is 340 pesos per car from Manuel Tienda Leon, probably somewhat less via the other services. Inflation is running at 20 plus percent per year, so it is difficult to predict the cost for next cruise season. I suggest you check the web site prior to your cruise.

 

 

 

Tienda Leon also operates a shuttle from the airport to their downtown terminal near the Sheraton hotel. You would need to take a taxi from there to your hotel. Current cost is 80 pesos per person, or 160 for a couple, plus the cost of a taxi on to your hotel.

 

A third means of reliable transportation is Taxi Ezeiza, which operates from a free standing booth in the middle of the arrival hall. Taxi Eze cars are blue and white. The current fare is 250 pesos from the airport to downtown, and 195 from downtown back to the airport. http://www.taxiezeiza.com.ar/spa

 

There is a less common 4th means of transport, although it is not practical for cruisers who do not speak Spanish. But if you do, you could call one of the local cab companies and ask them to pick you up. The fare will be about the same as from Taxi EZE.

 

Do not take a yellow and black cab from the airport. Do not take a cab from the curb at the airport. Never. Don't even think about it. It is unreliable, unsafe and expensive.

 

Ignore this advice once you are in town, where yellow and black cabs are everywhere and I usually take them from the curb. Repeat....this rule applies only to the airport. Not intown.

 

 

Hotel. The Plaza Marriott has just changed ownership and management.The new owners/managers are well known hoteliers in Buenos Aires (they own the 5 star Alvear Palace and several other 4 and 5 star properties). The hotel itself is a historic property that previous owners had not maintained to Marriott standards. The Alvear group plans to renovate the hotel, but that process has not begun. At present, some rooms are refurbished, others not. Rooms overlooking Plaza San Martin tend to be larger and recently refurbished. I love this hotel owing to its place in the history of Buenos Aires (it was originally built over a century ago to house wealthy Europeans looking to invest in the development of Argentina) but be forewarned that it has its quirks and may not have been renovated by next cruise season. Even if you don't stay there, the bar is worth a visit. Forbes rated it as one of the 10 best bars in the world for business. It is beautiful, and the bar tenders whip up some great martinis.

[DougH]

I stayed at the Claridge in the central downtown area twice before cruises. I like the central location and the hotel was helpful in arranging tours, taxis etc. I really enjoyed wandering around the city for a couple of days each time.

[2ashevillesailors]

Airport. There are three forms of reliable, safe, fairly priced transportation from the airport to downtown. First, private car services (called a remis). Several services operate booths located just as you exit customs. Manuel Tienda Leon is the largest of these services. Others include VIP and WorldCar.

http://www.tiendaleon.com.ar/home/home.asp The current cost is 340 pesos per car from Manuel Tienda Leon, probably somewhat less via the other services. Inflation is running at 20 plus percent per year, so it is difficult to predict the cost for next cruise season. I suggest you check the web site prior to your cruise.

 

 

 

Tienda Leon also operates a shuttle from the airport to their downtown terminal near the Sheraton hotel. You would need to take a taxi from there to your hotel. Current cost is 80 pesos per person, or 160 for a couple, plus the cost of a taxi on to your hotel.

 

A third means of reliable transportation is Taxi Ezeiza, which operates from a free standing booth in the middle of the arrival hall. Taxi Eze cars are blue and white. The current fare is 250 pesos from the airport to downtown, and 195 from downtown back to the airport. http://www.taxiezeiza.com.ar/spa

 

There is a less common 4th means of transport, although it is not practical for cruisers who do not speak Spanish. But if you do, you could call one of the local cab companies and ask them to pick you up. The fare will be about the same as from Taxi EZE.

 

Do not take a yellow and black cab from the airport. Do not take a cab from the curb at the airport. Never. Don't even think about it. It is unreliable, unsafe and expensive.

 

Ignore this advice once you are in town, where yellow and black cabs are everywhere and I usually take them from the curb. Repeat....this rule applies only to the airport. Not intown.

 

 

Hotel. The Plaza Marriott has just changed ownership and management.The new owners/managers are well known hoteliers in Buenos Aires (they own the 5 star Alvear Palace and several other 4 and 5 star properties). The hotel itself is a historic property that previous owners had not maintained to Marriott standards. The Alvear group plans to renovate the hotel, but that process has not begun. At present, some rooms are refurbished, others not. Rooms overlooking Plaza San Martin tend to be larger and recently refurbished. I love this hotel owing to its place in the history of Buenos Aires (it was originally built over a century ago to house wealthy Europeans looking to invest in the development of Argentina) but be forewarned that it has its quirks and may not have been renovated by next cruise season. Even if you don't stay there, the bar is worth a visit. Forbes rated it as one of the 10 best bars in the world for business. It is beautiful, and the bar tenders whip up some great martinis.

 

Is the area that it is in, safe to walk around? Also, approx how far to the airport?

[bakcd]

Hotel. The Plaza Marriott has just changed ownership and management.The new owners/managers are well known hoteliers in Buenos Aires (they own the 5 star Alvear Palace and several other 4 and 5 star properties). The hotel itself is a historic property that previous owners had not maintained to Marriott standards. The Alvear group plans to renovate the hotel, but that process has not begun. At present, some rooms are refurbished, others not. Rooms overlooking Plaza San Martin tend to be larger and recently refurbished. I love this hotel owing to its place in the history of Buenos Aires (it was originally built over a century ago to house wealthy Europeans looking to invest in the development of Argentina) but be forewarned that it has its quirks and may not have been renovated by next cruise season. Even if you don't stay there, the bar is worth a visit. Forbes rated it as one of the 10 best bars in the world for business. It is beautiful, and the bar tenders whip up some great martinis.

 

How is the Marriott for ease of sightseeing and enjoying the spirit of Buenos Aires in the evening? Also, how safe is the area?

[Can'tstopcruising]

Has anyone stayed at the Sheraton Convention Center? Was the area safe at night? Did you enjoy the hotel?

[dr__dawggy]

The Marriott (and the nearby Sheraton Convention Center) are in downtown Buenos Aires. It is primarily a business and commercial area, very busy during the day and much less so at night. Both hotels attract business clients, conventioneers and tour groups.

 

When I first stayed in the Marriott back in 2005, the area around Plaza San Martin was the safest part of downtown. My last stay was in 2011, and I still felt relatively safe walking in the area at night.

 

However, much has changed since that time. The Plaza San Martin area has recently been plagued by a younger group of thugs from the nearby "Villa" (shanty town), resulting in at least one well publicized murder of a French photographer who refused to surrender his camera to the thieves. Police have subsequently increased their presence in the area, but reports of theft continue.

 

If you are in search of an area that captures "the spirit of Buenos Aires," I'd opt for Recoleta or Palermo Soho over the downtown area. Both these areas are more residential and have lots of restaurants, clubs and so forth. The sights of Buenos Aires are located in several different parts of town--Recoleta, Plaza de Mayo, and San Telmo in particular. Transportation is plentiful and relatively inexpensive.

[grayjay]

I can recommend the "Melia" hotel which is rather near to Sheraton Libertador and in the same district. We stayed there for several nights pre-cuise and post-cruise and they were very helpful in regard to money-changing, luggage storage during our trip to Iguazu etc. Rooms were not new, but clean ( the better rooms are in the upper floors), with complimentary bottles of water every day. Breakfast was nothing special, but quite all right, with juices, lots of fresh fruit, pastries, ham, eggs etc. Good coffee.

Outside the hotel there is a kind of pedestrian precinct ( some cars go through), but there are lots of small shops and dining opportunities - small cafés and restaurants. We quite liked the location - it was not far to the shops or the Puerto Madero area and we felt quite safe in the evenings, too.

[J-D]

Did you do a tango show and dinner anywhere? Also, if there was something you really liked would you mind relaying it to me? Thanks, Mary

 

We have twice (2010 and 2013) gone to tango shows in the small theatre within the Jorge Luis Borges Cultural Centre inside the Galerias Pacifico mall (corner of Florida and Cordoba). It was good, but is not a "dinner and a show" type of place.

 

For a first-time visitor to B.A., one simple and informative thing to do is to take a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour to get an overview of the many areas of interest to tourists. (Actually, we did this on our 2nd visit and it was still interesting.)

 

A 2nd suggestion, involving a one-way walk of about 2 km, is to start at Plaza de Mayo and slowly walk west on Av. de Mayo as far as the Congress building, visiting or viewing the many historic and architecturally interesting buildings and monuments along the way, and reading up (in a guidebook) on their significance. One could easily spend a full day doing that, given the number of sites to visit.

 

Re getting from Ezeiza airport to downtown B.A., on both our arrivals, we went to the Manuel Tienda Leon "remise" desk in the Arrivals area, just outside the exit from the secure area, and slightly to the left. With no reservation, they quickly assigned a driver who spoke some English, and he took us downtown efficiently at the flat rate. Very simple and convenient at a reasonable price...

 

John

[DeepFreeze63]

We've been to BsAs twice. Two years ago we flew into EZE; took Taxi Ez__ into town (worked great) and stayed at the Marriott (loved it especially the Bar) for 5 nights. Also stayed at the HI Express for 2 nights - it was fine but desolate at nights and weekend!

Last December, we stayed at the Sheraton Convention Center and loved that also.

On our next trip, we plan to stay at the Hilton (free). It is in a lovely area of fine restaurants but removed from most visited tourist places.

As some said watch out for cab scams! Do not take any cab that isn't "Radio Cab" with that written on the side doors and only pay in small bills.

I wrote an extensive trip report on Trip Advisor; we love BsAs!

[Can'tstopcruising]

We've been to BsAs twice. Two years ago we flew into EZE; took Taxi Ez__ into town (worked great) and stayed at the Marriott (loved it especially the Bar) for 5 nights. Also stayed at the HI Express for 2 nights - it was fine but desolate at nights and weekend!

Last December, we stayed at the Sheraton Convention Center and loved that also.

On our next trip, we plan to stay at the Hilton (free). It is in a lovely area of fine restaurants but removed from most visited tourist places.

As some said watch out for cab scams! Do not take any cab that isn't "Radio Cab" with that written on the side doors and only pay in small bills.

I wrote an extensive trip report on Trip Advisor; we love BsAs!

 

We booked the Sheraton Convention Center.

 

Is the area safe? We are hearing such negativity about the safety in Buenos Aires.

 

Did you enjoy the pool area? Is it nice?

 

Did you see the Park Tower? Is it adjacent to the Sheraton Convention Center?

 

Thanks for any info. If you have additional info, I would appreciate it, too!

[miaminautigal]

We booked the Sheraton Convention Center.

 

Is the area safe? We are hearing such negativity about the safety in Buenos Aires.

 

Did you enjoy the pool area? Is it nice?

 

Did you see the Park Tower? Is it adjacent to the Sheraton Convention Center?

 

Thanks for any info. If you have additional info' date=' I would appreciate it, too![/quote']

 

I've been to BA many many times and in many parts of the world. As in any place, there are always a few bad apples. I've stayed at both Sheratons, the convention center oddly is on Avenue Libertador but the Sheraton Libertador is on Avenue Cordoba. The pools at the convention center, one in and one out are good, but BA can be cold until November or December. I don't think the Cordoba avenue has a pool, but it might on the roof.

 

The Convention center is isolated at night and across from the seedy bus terminal so I would; only take a hotel taxi to leave and return at night. Wherever you go you ask that they get you a radio taxi for your return. BA is very civilized and they always take care to make sure you get home safely. Always ask for a taxi or remis (car and driver) of "confianza" meaning trusted or of confidence. Actually they always say this, I can't imagine asking for one that is not of confianza!

 

The Libertador Sheraton is in a more pedestrian friendly area, specifically Avenue Florida. Both however are relatively close to each other. It's just that you can venture out on foot at night from the Sheraton on Cordoba.

 

Avenue Florida is very useful for money exchange. Due to currency control the dollar and Euro are worth 50% or more on the parallel market than you will get on official exchange by using credit/debit cards. The dollar blue market as it is known (google it or check the newspaper: Clarin) was 8.9 pesos to the dollar while the official rate you get is around 5.5 pesos. This has made BA very affordable again.

 

Outside of Puerto Madero which close by in taxi from each hotel, your best bets at night are Palermo Soho near Avenue Costa Rica and Armenia extending to the plaza Serrano or Recloleta near Ave Junin and Vincente Lopez extending to Avda Santa Fe.

 

Of course, don't get out of any taxi where there is no activity, it's better to go back to the hotel and start over. Take the HOHO bus during the day to familiarize yourself with the city.

 

Argentines tend to overstate the danger, but if you feel unsafe stick to PM. The restaurants there are the best and will keep you entertained at night.

[J-D]

There is an indoor pool (not large) at the Sheraton Libertador.

 

John

[Can'tstopcruising]

I've been to BA many many times and in many parts of the world. As in any place, there are always a few bad apples. I've stayed at both Sheratons, the convention center oddly is on Avenue Libertador but the Sheraton Libertador is on Avenue Cordoba. The pools at the convention center, one in and one out are good, but BA can be cold until November or December. I don't think the Cordoba avenue has a pool, but it might on the roof.

 

The Convention center is isolated at night and across from the seedy bus terminal so I would; only take a hotel taxi to leave and return at night. Wherever you go you ask that they get you a radio taxi for your return. BA is very civilized and they always take care to make sure you get home safely. Always ask for a taxi or remis (car and driver) of "confianza" meaning trusted or of confidence. Actually they always say this, I can't imagine asking for one that is not of confianza!

 

The Libertador Sheraton is in a more pedestrian friendly area, specifically Avenue Florida. Both however are relatively close to each other. It's just that you can venture out on foot at night from the Sheraton on Cordoba.

 

Avenue Florida is very useful for money exchange. Due to currency control the dollar and Euro are worth 50% or more on the parallel market than you will get on official exchange by using credit/debit cards. The dollar blue market as it is known (google it or check the newspaper: Clarin) was 8.9 pesos to the dollar while the official rate you get is around 5.5 pesos. This has made BA very affordable again.

 

Outside of Puerto Madero which close by in taxi from each hotel, your best bets at night are Palermo Soho near Avenue Costa Rica and Armenia extending to the plaza Serrano or Recloleta near Ave Junin and Vincente Lopez extending to Avda Santa Fe.

 

Of course, don't get out of any taxi where there is no activity, it's better to go back to the hotel and start over. Take the HOHO bus during the day to familiarize yourself with the city.

 

Argentines tend to overstate the danger, but if you feel unsafe stick to PM. The restaurants there are the best and will keep you entertained at night.

 

Thank you for so much valuable information.

What about the Park Tower?

[miaminautigal]

Thank you for so much valuable information.

What about the Park Tower?

 

The Park Tower is connected to the Sheraton Convention Ctr and is part of Starwood. I used points and stayed at the Sheraton and it was adequate, not anything memorable. The PT uses the Sheraton's pool. The pool has a nice view of the English Tower.

 

I would take the Hilton over either one as the pool there has a great view of the city from the Casa Rosada to the skyscrapers. Especially important is it is in a safe pedestrian area. If money is not an issue then I would look at the Faena in PM.