12 Best Hotels in Recoleta, Buenos Aires

This lodging has an impressive ground-floor gallery where exhibits of paintings, photographs, and sculptures by acclaimed Argentine artists change monthly—you may run into art aficionados sipping wine and admiring the creations. Rooms are classified as "small and cozy," "queen," or "king," and many have wrought-iron beds hung with white canopies. The building's 100-year-old elevator takes you to the rooftop patio, where there's a hot tub and plenty of room to soak up the sun.

Every detail of this hotel, one of the ritziest properties in the city, makes it clear that your comfort is of the utmost importance. A concierge contacts you ahead of time to begin preparing your itinerary, and, once you arrive, you're welcomed with a drink as the staff unpacks your belongings. The suites are bright and comfortable, with dark parquet floors, cream-color walls, Italian Calcatta marble bathrooms, plush bedding, and bookcases filled with photography books showcasing Argentina. The hotel often hosts events for luxury brands in the wine bar or the cigar bar.

The standard-bearer for upscale sophistication since 1932, the Alvear Palace is undoubtedly the shining star of the city's hotel scene: scores of dignitaries, celebrities, and VIPs have passed through its doors over the years, and they keep coming back for the world-class service and refined atmosphere. Elegantly decorated rooms feature silky carpets, gorgeous draperies, and featherbeds topped with Egyptian-cotton linens. Guests staying in any one of the 100 suites receive the services of a white-gloved personal butler who will unpack your bags, press wrinkled clothes, and tend to your every need. The lunch buffet and afternoon tea at L'Orangerie are out of this world.

Perfect for business travelers on extended stays, couples looking for some stretching room, or families in need of some privacy, this apartment-style hotel's accommodations are bright, roomy, and pleasant. They all have shiny wooden floors, snowy white linens, functional kitchens, and contemporary artwork. A couple blocks away is the slightly bigger Art Suites & Gallery, decorated in the same fresh, contemporary aesthetic. Both properties are located in residential pockets of Recoleta, conveniently close to the neighborhood's favorite sights, shopping, and restaurants.

In a prime location for those in town for business or pleasure, this Recoleta hotel caters equally well to both types of travelers. With a seemingly constant stream of tour groups checking in, business executives holding meetings, and celebrities trying not to be noticed, there is always something happening. Despite the constant activity, the service never falters; the highly professional staff keep things running smoothly and happily tend to everyone's needs. Although they're lacking in original style, the stately rooms have richly stained wood furnishings and marble bathrooms. A leafy, European-style garden complete with a fountain sits behind the hotel.

One of the city's swankiest lodgings, the Four Seasons is a magnet for famous folk. There's an upscale equine theme that runs throughout the property, as evident with the contemporary horse sculptures on the front lawn and the hotel's Pony Line Bar, which always attracts a smart crowd. You'll even find tiny horses in the design of the guest rooms, which are modern, bright, and luxe.

Given the frilly French-style facade, you could mistake the Bel Air for a neighborhood hotel somewhere in Paris. Inside, the decor is basic but modern, with a wood-panel lobby bar and a snazzy café that looks onto exclusive Arenales Street, dotted with art galleries and designer boutiques. Rooms have handsome wooden floors, small desks, and chairs or couches.

At Hub Porteño, nestled in an especially posh pocket of Recoleta, luxury is about more than its 11 elegant, high-ceilinged rooms—though they are replete with touches like 600-thread-count sheets, jetted tubs, and artisan-crafted furnishings like spectacular detailed mirrors, cowhide rugs, and crystal chandeliers. For owner Gonzalo Robredo, the hotel is all about his guests' full experience, both inside and out. Drawing on his background operating high-end lodges, Robredo offers prêt-a-porter experiences centered on subjects like gastronomy, modern art, and the gaucho lifestyle that connect you with city insiders like university professors, art designers, and polo stars. Hub Porteño is one of the best hotels in Buenos Aires, and the highly professional hotel staff ensures that you encounter the best of the city and its environs. Start the day with a delectable breakfast at the on-site restaurant Tarquino.

At this urban oasis, a white-marble lobby leads to a palm-fringed garden where you can enjoy a poolside breakfast or an afternoon cocktail. Sleek guest rooms have sophisticated color schemes complemented by black-and-white photos on the walls. Executive studios have whirlpool baths, and certain suites amazing views of a place that high-society Argentines have been dying to get into for years: Recoleta Cemetery. Loi Suites also operates three other apart-hotels in the city.

The winemaking Catena family owns this luxurious boutique hotel, and all the rooms come stocked with wines straight from their own Mendoza vineyards. You'll find stylish rustic elements everywhere, starting with the towering entrance fashioned from wood from French oak barrels. Also made by hand are the wooden bathtubs, all of which are slightly different. All rooms have balconies overlooking the street or the courtyard where large, metal butterflies by an Argentine artist are lit up at night. Some suites include in-room saunas, while others have private rooftop whirlpool tubs. Amenities include massage cabins, a pool, and a small exercise area.

This landmark hotel ups the ante for elegance in Buenos Aires—its two buildings, a restored 1930s-era mansion and a 17-story tower, are connected by an underground art gallery and an expansive, leafy garden that's among the city's most attractive outdoor areas. The rooms are decorated in rich wood, elegant marble, and soft-to-the-touch Argentine leather. Sip a whiskey at the Oak Bar, constructed from 17th-century carvings from a Normandy castle, or on the patio overlooking the garden. Be sure to book into the Ahín Spa (named after a Mapuche Indian welcoming ritual), which offers holistic and beauty treatments. The 3,500-bottle Wine Library is a unique attraction.

The name of this design hotel conjures up a feeling of serenity, and the fountains in the lobby, the outdoor patio ringed with greenery, and the sizable indoor swimming pool take it to the next level. The calming aesthetic extends to the rooms with soothing cream-colored walls, cushy carpets, and furniture created with soft leather and dark wood. The armoires, headboards, and desks are by top Argentine designer Eugenio Aguirre, who created them especially for the hotel. The adults-only property is situated in the swankiest part of Recoleta—which the polite, attentive staff is happy to help you navigate—and offers a smaller, quieter base than its neighbors like the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt.