French classical design with a modern twist, all housed inside a historical building, this Recoleta gem offers impeccable service, great dining, and plenty of wine.
Buenos Aires is a huge city with many different neighborhoods. For instance, Palermo is known for its spectacular mansions and is home to the largest park in the city, while Puerto Madero is a former port that was turned into a modern residential area. I liked that each residential area is highly individualized and has a different character, while the residents of Buenos Aires are friendly and will always help you with directions to public transportation and tourist attractions.
On this occasion, we decided to spend 5 days in one of the most elegant residential areas, Recoleta, a neighborhood where French-style mansions are turned into embassies and hotels, and where you can visit the National Museum of Fine Arts and the famed Recoleta Cemetery. After doing some research of the best hotels in the area, we came across a small boutique property called Algodon Mansion.
The hotel is located close to the city’s main shopping boulevards and just a short stroll from boutiques, coffee shops, galleries, and restaurants. We read that Algodon Mansion is a small Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel that offers comfortable rooms and has a strong focus on wine...considering their sister hotel in Mendoza is also a winery. This is exactly what we were looking for, some culture and a lot of wine and food.
The chairman and founder of all Algodon properties, Scott Mathis has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and has dedicated his life to the development of the Algodon brand. Beside Algodon Mansion, the company also owns Algodon Wine Estates, a vineyard estate in San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina where guests can stay amongst the vineyards and indulge in plenty of wine tastings.
Situated in a restored mansion built in 1912, it is hard to believe that this building was once abandoned and left in ruins. Originally, it was a private mansion, but has also served as the residence of the ambassador of Netherlands for some time. Following Argentina’s dictatorship, the mansion was empty for almost 40 years. Luckily, the founder of Algodon was there to see its potential and decided to turn it into a boutique hotel.
“At only 10 rooms, this converted mansion was the perfect base to explore the neighborhood, yet central enough to get anywhere else we needed. ”
This mansion features 10 suites that overlook a quiet residential street and are laid out in a way that it feels like you are staying in a private residence, rather than a hotel. The lobby area is cozy and perfect for enjoying a Negroni while waiting to check-in. The tastefully decorated wine bar in the lobby and the design of the property is quite elegant, yet comfortable and relaxing. The restaurant and the welcome area are located on the first floor, while a full-service spa and a small pool are on the rooftop, with the suites located on the floors in between.
During our stay, we called the Royal Suite home. It felt like we were staying in a private apartment rather than a hotel room, with the exception of nightly turndown service and the softest, plushest towels! We had a spacious bedroom with a grand master bathroom, a personal wine cellar, a large living area, and a dining room. The place was spotless and wonderfully comfortable. Ordering room service a couple of times and dining in the suite is a must, especially when you’re wrapped up in a bathrobe.
“During our stay, we called the Royal Suite home. It felt like we were staying in a private apartment rather than a hotel room, with the exception of nightly turndown service and the softest, plushest towels! ”
Algodon Mansion features a nice spa that is located on the rooftop and offers a wide range of wellness treatments using premium skincare products by Stendhal. My skin felt a bit tired from all the travel, (honestly I take any excuse to visit a spa) so I decided to have a hydrating facial. After the treatment, my skin felt great and I even took a short nap in between a mask and a peel. Natural light poured through the space, usually uncommon in spas as the rooms are typically dark and romantic...a nice change. Right outside the spa, is a small pool area which was another perfect spot to relax. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, but we made use of the lounge chairs a few times
“Algodon Mansion features a nice spa that is located on the rooftop and offers a wide range of wellness treatments using premium skincare products by Stendhal. ”
Although there are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby, make sure to spend at least one meal at the restaurant. Offering a seasonal menu, the restaurant uses the freshest ingredients from local markets and their own plantation at Algodon Wine Estates. A made-to-order breakfast was served daily with fresh fruit and the most amazing Pão de Queijo as well as fresh fruits and other breakfast basics. We had dinner a few nights at the hotel and our favorites easily became the chicken and gnocchi dishes.
“Offering a seasonal menu, the restaurant uses the freshest ingredients from local markets and their own plantation at Algodon Wine Estates.”
The hotel also makes fantastic use of their sister property, so expect to have more than a few glasses of premium Argentinian wine. One day we ended up sitting down with their sommelier to sample a variety of local Algodon wine. From whites to reds, we seemed to sample them all, yet my favorite was the Malbec Bonarda (a tasty red blend). During the wine tasting we were offered a lovely spread of cheeses and meats, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. To arrange your own wine tasting just ask the front desk team and they can coordinate your private event.
“To arrange your own wine tasting just ask the front desk team and they can coordinate your private event. ”
And should you actually decide you want to leave the hotel, you'll be happy to know that the Algodon Mansion is located in Recoleta -- which is pretty central to most of the other neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Just a short walk away are galleries, boutiques and of course Recoleta Cemetery.
Make sure to carve out several hours to just walk around the cemetery and photograph all the incredible tombs. You can always hop in a cab and head to the artsy Palermo neighborhood or the colorful La Boca. Just know that wherever you go, you’ll see something interesting and don’t forget to pop into all the restaurants you can - Argentinian food is incredible! If you need a bit of direction, you can always chat with the bartender or front desk team and they will be sure to give you several great recommendations.
For more information or to make a reservation, follow the link below: