Buenos Aires... with a baby

T

TXHookem

1,000+ Posts
We've been to BA twice... absolutely love it there. It now looks like we're going to cancel our trip to Amsterdam/Rome and replace it with a trip to BA. Why? The Euro... just too brutal.

Anyway, our experience in BA is with hotels for couples... not with a baby. Does anyone have any experience with...

Soho All-Suites Hotel
Costa Petit Hotel
Home Hotel
248 Finisterra
Hotel Design CE
Ayres de Palermo/Recoleta

Traveling with a baby brings a whole new complexity to the trip. At least we'll be looking at two overnight non-stop flights to get to/from our destination... and thank God for the exchange rate.
 
We have a 9mo old and just got back from a trip and staying in a boutique was challenging as the room wasnt baby proof at the slightest and so you couldnt just set him on the ground to crawl around. That said, I have stayed at Home on my own and would say it was very similar to a W in not being babyproof.
We have taken him to BA once at 6mos but stayed at the 4 Seasons and they provided nanny service at the hotel during the day. It was like $50 a day. The concierge will email you with the qualifications of each nanny and being BA, if you dont like her when she gets there, they will have a replacement with in minutes. The Loi suites might be a good option too as you can set up areas to let the kiddo crawl around.
 
Good point about the Home Hotel - I wonder how mobile he will be at six months. I guess we can baby=proof the room, as best as possible, once we get there.

If we went the Four Seasons route, I would probably just stick with Italy, cost-wise. While we're not paying the regular rate for a room (my cousin is en exec with Starwood), we're staying (or were staying) at the St. Regis Grand in Rome... kind of makes the switch a wash.

Have you heard about the Soho All-Suites or Hotel Design cE? I'm going to rule out the 248 Finisterra - while the Las Canitas location may be fun for us, it probably wouldn't be for him.
 
Unfortunately I have only tried the Loi Suites in Recoleta and thought it was nice and would do fine with a baby. 6months he wasnt crawling yet but as long as the have a place to roll around on the ground I think you will be fine.
Call the four seasons directly and ask for the "Citi" rate, its about $150 a night. The Kimpinski and Intercontinental also offer us a good rate.
 
So, if I call and ask for the Citi rate, do I have to provide any back-up documentation of any sorts that I have business with Citi?
 
why don't you just rent an apartment. you can find what you need on Craigslist and they are comparable if not cheaper than hotels.
 
Yeah... I don't know if I want to go the apartment route. Yes, they're cheaper but I like the idea of having extra hands around and a certain level of service. Places like Bobo stick out in our minds not just because of the room but because of the service and the big time help they provided us.
 
Just an FYI...

I've got nothing to add to this conversation. This is a completely different Buenos Aires than the one I just lived. Sorry.

I will say that the attitude in Buenos Aires (and Argentina in general) is definitely NOTTTTTTTT

"Safety First"

Just know that. If you think of some safety feature that would be nice, then you're probably the first person to ever think that down there. A (LA) friend of mine and I would always just crack up and say "Safety First" everytime we saw something new that would NEVER be seen in the "Western World".
 
Yeah.... I hear 'ya. If anything, from what I know, Argentineans are big on families and children and I've heard nothing but good things on the treatment we'll get with a baby. I think it has a lot to do with the Italian/Spanish heritage... you definitely see it here in the states. Europeans tend to fawn over our baby more randomly than Americans do.
 
Fortunately, our kid will have us as eagle-eyed parents.

The buses in BA are brutal - they roar by with reckelss abandon. I remember that being the case regardless of where you are in BA. Oh... and I love the red, yellow, green lights... talk about a day at the races.
 
No, just call the front desk and say you are with Citi or need the Citi rate, thats all..

Also, say you are bringing the wife and kiddo and would like to speak to the concierge about babysitting.The Link

check out their services for the kiddos and they will coordinate with you through email if you like.

There a tons of kids clothes places too, we found it to be similar to Paris in that the kids dress really 80's preppy, well i guess most Portenos do too so that not a far stretch but my wife loved all the little kiddo stores.
The main Galleria has several as does Bull Patio right by the hotel.
Typically we also hire a driver for the day, a nice E class Benz runs about $100 a day, the hotel can hook you up with that too if you like. Worst case, they will arrange for a driver or their huge van to pick you up at EZE.
Ps. they still have not fixed the radar at EZE and it is Visual Sight landings only..
 
Well, it looks like the Citi rate isn't going to be available. I just called. Bummer.

Right now, I'm weighing the following:

Home - 155/night (Superior room - the Suites aren't available). I would love this hotel for the 2 of us but something tells me the atmosphere won't be as great with a baby. Also, I'd rather be on the other said of the train tracks.

Costa Petit - 180/night (Junior suite) - Keep hearing great things about this hotel and it's only 4 rooms so we could get some great personalized attention.

Soho All-Suites - 165/night - Love the location, so-so feeling on the hotel. Not sure why. Although a suite with a kitchen would be nice. Realistically speaking, this might be the smart option.

Have not heard from 1555 Malabia House but that's probably out. The Cocker is out. Vain has rooms at 200/night but I'm thinking it may not be a good fit though I like the location. Probably better for us sans baby.
 
Hookem,
I just PM'd you on some ways to get around that at the 4 seasons. Also check the new Park Hyatt, they offer a citi rate too.The Link
 
KIDS CLOTHING STORES:

I lived right by the Recoleta Cemetery and the company I taught 8 classes a week at was on Cordoba between Ave de Julio & Callao. I know Barrio Norte/Recoleta pretty well.

Between Callao on the West side, Ave de Julio on the East, Santa Fe on the South and Libertadores on the North, there are TONS of shops for little kids clothes.

The main streets for clothes are (1) Uruguay, (2) Paraná, (3) Montevideo, then (4) Talcahuano between Santa Fe and Juncal.

There are a bunch of elementary schools right around here and the parents are wealthy. So those four streets and ARENALES (which is parallel to Santa Fe & Juncal, but in between them) are loaded with stores of clothes for infants and toddlers.

Happy Shopping! You'll be pleasantly blown away by the shopping.
 
CHANGING MONEY & GETTING INTO TOWN
You will need to change money immediately at the airport.

You will need money for your taxi and other stuff when you first get in. Buenos Aires isn't a very Credit Card Friendly town. Nice places take cards, but many places don't.

*** BUT DON'T CHANGE MONEY AT BAGGAGE CLAIM!! You will walk all the way out through customs, see an information desk (island), walk around that, keep walking out through the secured area. Finally you will see a TAXI desk where you can arrange rides into the city. At this point, make a U-turn to your RIGHT and there is the Banco Nacional de Argentina. THIS is where you want to change your cash.***


TAXI INTO TOWN

The going rate for getting from EZE to town was about Ar$80 when I left. One place charged Ar$70, but others charged Ar80, Ar$90, & Ar$95. It may have gone up, but I had a friend who didn't arrange transportation at a stand and paid Ar$160!! to get into town. That's ridiculous.

You pass these stands on the way to get you money. Just outside of the security area there is a general taxi location. This was the place that was Ar$70. Use it if possible.

suerte chicos
 
Nap - I appreciate the tips on kids clothing stores - I wouldn't have known where to start. The last time we went, I saw a few in Alto Palermo but, as you can imagine, we weren't paying attention... no kids = not looking.

On the cash and taxis, this will be trip #3 to BsAs so we've got the basics down. I am curious to see how Palermo Viejo has changed in the past two years, though. What part of town do you live in?
 
What part of town do I live in?

"Hancock Park near Koreatown"

I'm currently in LA selling things and getting rid of my apartment before heading back down to Buenos Aires at the end of January.


What part of Buenos Aires did I live in?

1) 5 day in PALERMO VIEJO on Thames near a boutique bookstore.
2) 2 months in RETIRO on Suipacha b/n Santa Fe & Arenales
3) 7 weeks in BARRIO NORTE on Libertad b/n Arenales & Juncal
4) 3 days in PALERMO VIEJO near the intersection of Cordoba & Justo
5) 2 weeks in SAN TELMO on Bolivar b/n Chile & Indepencia
6) 2 1/2 weeks in SAN TELMO on Cochabamba b/n Defensa & Bolivar
7) 2 3/4 months in RECOLETA on Ayacucho b/n Vicente Lopez & Guido

I also "got around". I took Spanish, took a teaching English course, and/or taught English in-

1) Puerto Madero (este)
2) San Telmo
3) Microcenter
4) Barrio Norte
5) Palermo Viejo
6) Villa Crespo

There is a TON of the city that I don't know, but the swath somewhat near the water from southern San Telmo all the way up to near Belgrano (including the Palermos & Barrio Norte) is pretty familiar territory... at least for now.

hookem.gif
 
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