After every long trip I take I like to stay one or two nights in a luxury or boutique hotel. The prior portions of my trips I’m usually staying in hostels so when I arrive for the last leg of my trip at the luxury hotel I probably haven’t had a proper bath or shower in a while. More often than not, I really appreciate my stay at the luxury hotel because it truly becomes a real treat to have the convenience of fresh towels, free shampoo and soap, a private bathroom and bed. It’s a dream!

While I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I stayed at the Garden House Hostel in San Telmo the two weeks I was there. I really enjoyed my stay with them. Despite their hospitality and affordability, I needed to get out of the hostel. It’s not personal, it’s business.  I researched a few hotels to stay at for my last two nights in BA and decided on the Claridge Hotel. With the package deal, of course the price for two nights was more than my entire stay at the Garden House Hostel, but I’d budget traveled my entire time in Argentina so could afford the extra expense.

Photo courtesy Claridge Hotel

I arrived by taxi at the hotel and was greeted by a bevy of friendly valet.  I must have had “no hablo espanol” written on my forehead because the valet instantly started speaking to me in English. I can speak a little Spanish so I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to practice but I was impressed with his excellent English. It was early in the day since I was transferring from one accommodation to another so the hotel was still checking out overnight guests and very hustle and bustle.

The hotel had a gorgeous grand entry lobby that immediately struck me as being European influenced. It was no real surprise to me having ventured through the city and learning about the European influence in the city’s architecture. The real surprise was that it didn’t feel Argentinian at all.  Since I’d been backpacking for a couple of weeks I definitely felt a little grungy and out of place in such a nice hotel. I walked in with jeans and a huge backpack on. Although I’m well traveled and usually feel like an outsider, I felt it even more so there. Most of the other guests looked much more refined than me. It was quite a cultural shock for me having spent most of my time exploring the down to earth streets of San Telmo only to be surrounded by so many worldly travelers. Many of the guests that I encountered seemed to be a very refined class of South Americans (maybe more so from Spain or Spanish speaking North Americans) that were in quite a bit of contrast from the those I’d been meeting in the real world Buenos Aires. It gave me a very real sense of the class distinctions in that area of the world.

Despite my early arrival, they had a room available and ready for me. The room was bright and airy and carried over that European influence as it was very small! Even compared to my hostel room, it was tiny.  Since it was only me I didn’t mind much as I don’t need a lot of room. Regardless of it’s size, the room had everything I needed. A comfy bed, a gorgeous bathroom and window overlooking the pool and even a TV with CNN international!

I didn’t want to stay in my room for long so I dropped my bags and ventured outdoors. The Claridge Hotel was in an excellent central location for walking tours so I set out to explore my new temporary neighborhood. The hotel is about a half block from the Florida street of shops (passed those up as I’d already been there), a five-minute walk from Galerias Pacifico, and a few blocks walk from Plaza San Martin and Puerto Madero. By far, the area near the hotel was one of my favorite. I felt extremely comfortable walking along the streets there. I even considered finding an apartment and never going back home but to be honest, I do that in about every city I visit.

Upon returning later in the afternoon after my walking tour, I decided to stop in at the restaurant bar and have a snack. It was high tea time and I was seated next to some very refined women taking their high tea and chattering loudly in Spanish. Once again, I really felt out of place.

My time at the Claridge Hotel was fine. I enjoyed the hotel and if I ever go back to Buenos Aires I would stay there again. The price was decent, but I didn’t really feel as though the hotel was five stars unless you compare it to staying in hostels then, yes, it’s five stars. But I doubt many backpackers stay there.

Written by Jerri Stephenson, DIWYY co-founder