Tag:

Luxury

Cherry picking Mendoza’s hotels

by AB September 30, 2013

As a bonafide (if unofficial) resident of Mendoza for four years, I get a lot of emails asking about where to stay. Here are my top picks of accommodation in and out of the centre of Mendoza:

In the city:

Being in the city centre is the best place if you are relying on public transport – it’s the hub of Mendoza and its wine regions. You’ll find all the bars, some of the top restaurants, the amenities and the massive park at your disposal and the easiest way out to the wineries (without your own car) is coming from the city centre (whether by bus, bike, tour or taxi). For staying in the city centre, I really recommend staying the West side of Plaza Independencia, the East side is not so pretty and is much busier, dirtier and noisier.

Budget picks:
I don’t really know the hostels in Mendoza, I could only tell you which have the notorious party scenes which is probably not the best recommendation… So check out ratings on hostelworld etc for the most recent opinions. My advice is stay west for the nicer areas, and if you want to be on the party scene pick one on Aristides Villanueva Street.

Mid-range:
B&B Plaza Italia: If you want to stay in the city city centre, this B&B is on my favourite plaza. A bit more relaxed then the main Plaza Independencia, but still surrounded by the better restaurants and it’s in the nicer, safer end of town. A simple B&B/small hotel which has neat rooms and is around $800pesos per night. Don’t miss out on Florentino restaurant next door. Plaza Italia B&B, Plaza Italia.

Bohemia Boutique: In the 5ta seccion, in a quieter residential neighbourhood four blocks from the city centre and four blocks from the park and four blocks from the nightlife street (Aristides), this is a more tranquilo location for those who are happy to live more where locals do, with nice rooms, a small pool in a patio/garden and is around $100US/$600pesos per night. http://www.bohemiahotelboutique.com/ Granaderos 954 +54 261 423-0575

Top Dollar:

The Hyatt: Right on the main plaza, this is still the hotel of Mendoza. Attractive, nice (but small) spa and a small pool open all year round they have two good restaurants, a nice wine bar and good service compared to other hotels in the city. Park Hyatt, Chile 1124 , +54 261 441-1234

The Diplomatic: Another good hotel, although a bit more corporate. Good location (not as pretty though) but at the right end of town with good restaurants and bars nearby, and a terrace pool that gets afternoon sun. They also serve bubbly at breakfast (the only hotel left in Mendoza that does). Diplomatic, Av Belgrano 1041 +54 261 405-1900

Chacras & Lujan:

About 30mins by taxi from the city, one hour by bus, you can stay in Chacras or Lujan. You are closer to vineyards, but further from city centre facilities. Chacras has a picturesque town with lots of restaurants, some shops and pharmacies etc. If you want to feel a bit more in the countryside without actually being in the sticks, then this is your place. You could survive here without a car, although taxis will add up. Visiting places within walking distance or bike will only keep you entertained for a day or two. Alternatively you can just sit by the pool and enjoy the Mendoza sun.

36 hours in Buenos Aires: Luxury

by AB September 8, 2013

This wasn’t called the Paris of South America for no reason! Buenos Aires has all the luxuries a European capital can afford: five star hotels, gourmet cuisine, exclusive tours and all the makings for a great weekend schmoozing, boozing and relaxing.

Written for 36hrs.in

Friday, 6:00pm

The hottest luxury hotel in BA is Faena, and it wasn’t called a ‘universe’ for nothing. Designed by Philippe Starck in one of the landmark buildings in the city, El Porteño, this is so much more than a hotel – it has an arts center, a spa, live music performances and some of the city’s best dining options, and as you’d expect from Starck no expense or creativity is spared in its design. Start the evening with a private wine tasting in the cellar, with the largest collection of wines in Argentina at your disposal, then move onto one of the restaurants before finishing for an intimate evening of top quality tango in El Caberet bar. Expect sizzling tango and sip on a champagne cocktail to cool off from the latin heat on the dance floor. If you don’t want to stay at the hotel or choose to dine elsewhere, you are in the right place – BA’s opulent neighborhood, Puerto Madero – where there are dozens of great restaurants, clubs and hotels.

Saturday

9:00am

The idea of brunch hasn’t quite caught on in Buenos Aires yet, but there are a couple places where you can breakfast like a queen – mainly in hotels. Try L’Orangerie in the attractive Recoleta neighborhood where you can pick through a large buffet and have a few glasses of bubbly to get your day started right.

36 hours in Mendoza: Living the high life

by AB September 8, 2013

Mendoza is characterized by cowboys, vineyards and mountains; but aside from its great rustic charm, it also offers some of life’s ultimate luxuries. As a province that has boomed with international tourism over the last 10 years, there are no limits to the new heights of luxury travel available. Take your time to indulge in gourmet experiences, space out in spa relaxation and enjoy the privilege of the unblemished, idyllic outdoors.

Written for 36hrs.in

Friday, 5:00pm

Take to the sky to really see what Mendoza is all about. An hour long private flight will show you how this desert sprang into life from snowmelt and sparkling blue dams which channel glacial water to irrigate the blanket spread of vineyards that drape down from the foothills of the Andes. Finish off with a glass of sparkling wine as you touchdown at sunset and watch the tapestry of mountain colors change. Book a flight through custom tour company Grapevine Wine Tours.

9:30pm

The ultimate Argentine chef, Francis Mallmann, is still considered one of South America’s finest and after more than 30 years at the top, who’s to disagree? Mendoza is home to two of his restaurants: 1884 and 7 Fuegos. The acclaimed 1884 restaurant is tucked in a winery just outside the city center where a grandiose setting gives way to even more grandiose food and a wine list longer than Homer’s Odyssey. For a more outdoors experience, make your way to his new 7 Fuegos restaurant in The Vines of Mendoza vineyard property in Uco Valley, 1.5 hours south of the city. Seven courses of different Argentine BBQ techniques paired with great wines beneath a canopy of stars. Both offer ample opportunity to savor Argentina’s world-renowned steak.

Saturday

9:30am

The early bird catches the worm and in Mendoza that bird drinks world-class Malbec. Organise a private chauffeur from your hotel to drive you out to Pulenta Estate in Lujan de Cuyo, 1 hour from the city. Brothers Eduardo and Hugo Pulenta, who have one of the richest family histories in Argentine wine, created the winery to make premium wines. A private tour includes an aroma session and a tasting of the icon wines including their fabulous Cabernet Franc. If you want true indulgence, ask for a paired chocolate tasting – nothing quite as epicurean as chocolate and silky red wine for breakfast!