Buenos Aires: Castelar Hotel & Spa (Hotel)

Address: Av de mayo 1152, Congreso , Buenos aires C1085ABO, Argentina
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Lonely Planet Review

Little has changed since the Castelar opened its doors in 1929: the décor is classical, service is good and rooms are clean. There's a basement spa, and while facilities aren't luxurious, it's still a plus.

The hotel's confitería (café) is on the city's list of historical bars and cafés and fills up with chatting business folk by noon. It's a great place to start the day over a cortado (coffee cut with milk), medialunas (sweet croissants) and a copy of the Buenos Aires Herald (BA's English-language rag). Supposedly, tango legend Carlos Gardel even hung out here. The rooms have been refurbished to match the times, but still have a conservative old-school feel. The spa is right next door, and its windowless basement atmosphere makes for a rather surreal experience. Women can have their hair brushed or - even better - go straight for the electro-stimulation therapy. The less adventurous can get massages or just soak away in the Turkish or Finnish baths.