Lonely Planet Review
Owned by a friendly, well-travelled Argentine/Spanish couple, Garden House instantly feels like home. It's far from flashy (in fact, the office-style carpet and modern layout almost give it an apartment feel), but it's warmly comfortable. The cozy library, sunny terrace and Sunday night asados (barbecues) notch it up to excellent.
With only 25 beds, it's one of the smallest hostels in BA. Its one drawback is its location on the busy and less than attractive Av San Juan. You'll have to cross Av 9 de Julio (don't worry, it's only the widest street in the world) to get to the heart of historic San Telmo. That said, there's plenty to explore in this non-touristy area. Besides, the all-you-can-eat breakfast is a rarity in hostels. One dorm has four beds, the other has eight, and there are six comfortable private rooms (two of which share a small patio). All of them share baths. The common area is lovely; it fills with afternoon sunshine, and colorful couches make lounging around before heading out for the night a pleasure. There are plenty of chairs up on the terrace, but you'll have to get lucky to snag the hammock. For something in San Telmo, check out their cool Art Factory hostel (www.artfactoryba.com.ar).
Review by author
Danny Palmerlee