My colleague, Samantha, and I had the pleasure of spending two nights at the beautiful Four Seasons Buenos Aires during our recent trip to Argentina. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, we recommend this property to both our sporting and leisure clients looking to spend a couple days in the city before beginning their itinerary, or as an opportunity to relax in cosmopolitan comfort prior to flying home.
Situated in the heart of the exclusive La Recoleta District, the Four Season Buenos Aires is within walking distance to several historic and cultural attractions including National Fine Arts Museum, the National Library of Argentina and Recoleta Cultural Center. The standout highlight is the Recoleta Cemetery. Covering approximately 14 acres, the cemetery is a mini-village of both lavish and crumbling tombs, and serves as the final resting places of Argentina’s most prominent historical figures such as Eva Peron and writer Jose Hernandez.
From the moment I arrived at the Four Seasons, I was struck by its distinctly Argentinian flair with both contemporary and old-world charms. The recent renovations were beautifully executed and the designer’s attention to detail is noticed throughout. The lobby is painted blue to represent the Argentina flag and the leather covered furnishings are akin to the country’s agricultural roots.
In addition to 97 spacious guest rooms and 49 luxury suites, the hotel also features seven one-of-a-kind suites in the adjacent Belle Epoque-style mansion. La Mansión evokes a time when Buenos Aires was referred to as the “Paris of South America” – a city obsessed with French culture, fashion and architecture. Each suite is decorated in a French country style with dramatic high ceilings and Toile de Jouy wallpaper. Celebrities and world leaders from across the globe have rested their heads on the mansion’s down pillows, particularly the Presidential Suite which features a 19 square meter balcony overlooking the gardens and pool. During our hotel inspection, we learned that Madonna called the mansion home while filming Evita and used the balcony to wave at her fans.
Our room, 603, was located on the sixth floor overlooking the hotel’s Roman-style heated pool, gardens and a full view of the La Mansion. Each room is outfitted with double-glass windows to silence the bustling city outside. To welcome us, we received a bottle of Malbec wine and cheese to sample before dinner.
Samantha and I spent our first evening enjoying a sumptuous meal at the hotel’s main restaurant, Elena, named for Elena Peña Unzué, the bride who received La Mansión as a wedding gift. The menu features Argentina beef, fresh seafood and locally sourced produce. Our meal began with a charcuterie platter of local kobe bresaola, cured duck breast and a selection of local cheeses – followed by an entrée of seafood and pasta. The décor is as impressive as its impeccably curated menu. The main dining area is a gorgeous double-height space with a dramatic spiral staircase, and is bathed in natural light as servers bustle around a glass doored dry aging case, marble butcher’s table and local sourced antiques.