Goldilocks Goes to Buenos Aires

A Curated Selection of the City's Hotels

Wandernest as a name came to me many years ago, in an attempt to describe the competing passions I held for travel and for feeling at home. To wander far, then to nest, preferably in a stylish, cozy space that ignited the senses and inspired imagination.

During my recent trip to Buenos Aires, I stayed in several hotels to get a feel of each and the neighborhoods in which they were located. Of them all, I highlight here Jardin Escondido by Coppola, as it most embodied the laid-back luxury style of Wandernest, with Legado Mitico coming in a close second. Both are in the lively, artistic Palermo Soho neighborhood.

Jardin Escondido by Coppola

Jardin Escondido is a small hotel of seven rooms. Upon entering, it feels as if you are visiting the home of a fashionable, sophisticated friend, who may greet you with a warm welcome, a glass of delicious wine, and some very entertaining stories. Call it the Francis Ford Coppola effect, as this is where he called home while writing and shooting his 2009 film Tetro. Following his sojourn in Buenos Aires, he converted the home into a hotel to add to his family’s growing collection of global hideaways.

Perhaps from these auspicious beginnings a creative energy is palpable here, a vibe that encourages guests to feel inspired and at home. Breakfast, I was told, is served all day, whenever a guest is ready for it (it’s à la carte, and phenomenal. I often use breakfasts as a barometer to judge hotels.) The “at home” feeling is also attributed a great deal to the lovely individuals who work the front desk, each with diverse backgrounds, with interesting tales to tell and solid recommendations of where to eat and what to experience for a true sense of being a local. Conversations with each of them about life in the city enriched my stay all the more, and I witnessed similar reactions with other guests. People always make all the difference in one’s travels.

Communal Areas of Hotel

The interiors reflect a tasteful Argentine aesthetic, with dark woods and woven textiles that bring to mind gaucho living— riding horses, respectful of nature. The living area is open and inviting, with shelves adorned with a curated selection of books, sculptures, photos, ponchos and masks, hand-picked by Coppola and his late wife Eleanor. A glass wall opens to the beautiful enclosed outdoor garden, where there is a small pool and well-maintained plants and flowers— a soothing oasis from the city outside.

The Jardin

For more information, visit www.bourbon.com.br

Legado Mitico

Legado Mitico is an 11-room hotel situated among Palermo Soho’s many eclectic shops, design studios and trendy eateries. Each room is inspired by different notable Argentinians— writers, patrons of the arts, Evita and even the children’s cartoon character Malfada. The polished interiors present so many artifacts to capture the eye, with a similar masculine aesthetic and creative energy as Jardin. The hotel is the vision of two prominent Buenos Aires architects, who share an office with a very friendly cat on property behind the hotel garden.

For more information, visit www.legadomitico.com

Other Mentions:

Palacio Duhau, Park Hyatt Buenos Aires

For years, the Palacio Duhau in the Recoleta neighborhood has been the place to stay in Buenos Aires if luxury and comfort was the intent in finding accommodations. Formerly an old residential palace, it was converted in later years to a hotel with a building added to expand to more rooms with more modern interiors. It’s such an elegant hotel, and reflects the upscale surrounding Recoleta neighborhood. This is a different kind of vibe than the above two in Palermo Soho; the Palacio is more elevated, buttoned-up— and tailored to satisfy the American standards of luxury.

For more information, visit www.palacioduhauexperience.com

CasaSur Bellini Hotel

CasaSur Bellini is located on a street a stone’s throw from the Evita Museum. It is a 4-star hotel with access to a swimming pool in its rear courtyard that it shares with neighboring apartment buildings. The rooms are large with a kitchenette in most. It’s a modern, boutique-style hotel, but the best part about it is its location. The Palermo Chico neighborhood is conveniently located in between Recoleta and Palermo, in walking distance to my preferred museum MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires) and to the city’s major parks, surrounded by chic shops and trendy restaurants filled with locals. A residential neighborhood, a hotel here is a rare sight.

For more information visit www.casasurhotel.com

Just a note that for each hotel included above, I paid for my stay. The cost of hotels in Argentina are currently a fraction of what they would cost in Europe. I traveled to the city to finish writing a book and to also scout hotels and meet supplier partners, in order to plan the best future trips possible for our travel clients.

If interested in visiting Buenos Aires, contact us to help match you with the right accommodation for your interests and your travel style. With a city this dynamic, there are so many to choose from to add the ideal depth and color to your stay.

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