Microcentro is the beating heart of Buenos Aires and staying here puts you right in the middle of the action. Hotel Pulitzer adds a touch of style to the experience.
If you read this blog regularly, you will probably already know that Chris and I love boutique hotels. Each one is unique and full of personality. Their smaller size also usually means that you get good service, and that the staff can cater for your needs instead of providing a cookie-cutter experience. With that in mind, when we decided to visit Buenos Aires we had a look online for one of these hotels and quickly settled on the Pulitzer.
Located in the Microcentro part of the city, it is close to all the main government and business buildings. Buenos Aires is a city of neighborhoods, with each area having a different feel and a mix of commercial and residential properties. Microcentro is a bit different as it is the beating heart of the city. Large skyscrapers tower over its busy streets and people in suits hurry back and forth. It’s central location and public transport connections make it a great place to base yourself, and it is easy to get out and explore other parts of the city.
Having disembarked off a 12 hour flight from Rome, we headed straight to the hotel to get some rest. As it was morning the room wasn’t ready so we had to wait a bit before we could check in. Luckily we could enjoy the great breakfast (more on that later) and relax in the lobby until they had everything prepared.
The lobby wasn’t a bad place to wait either. It has a swanky vibe to it and it almost felt like something out of the Great Gatsby. Wooden floors and fixtures were complimented by plush antique-like furniture. There was some nice abstract artwork and this, as well as the white walls and ceiling, added some modernity and light to the space. Just above the lobby was a lounge and cocktail area that was surprisingly a great space to work during the day - the large white table and comfortable chairs helped!
At night the lounge area is used as the hotel bar, and groups of friends and couples dot the room enjoying themselves. The large teal velour couch takes center stage and adds character to the place. The bar itself is fronted with mirrors while the bottle-lined shelves behind it are made from dark wood. This gives it an elegant feel – something matched by their cocktail menu.
Design was clearly top of their priority list when creating the hotel and there are lots of little features and knick-knacks throughout. This was true of our room as well, which – although small – was well thought out and a nice place to stay. The furniture tied everything together well and black framed mirrors made the room feel bigger than it was. It had everything we needed including a TV, a small desk, and a large window which flooded the room with light. The bathroom was also nice with black tiles contrasting against the white fixtures and floor.
The Pulitzer offers a pretty good selection of amenities for you to use while you stay there. Of course they provide all the usual services you would expect, such as hotel-wide wifi, laundry, and room service. It also has a swimming pool, and a gym for those who are into fitness. These are located on the 7th floor with the pool being outside on the roof terrace. Unfortunately they only open during the summer, so they were closed while we were there. Also outside on the terrace is a second bar (again, not available for use during our stay). Although we were unable to enjoy these facilities, the area looks beautiful and it would be a great place to cool off during the hot Argentinian summers – I’m sure it would have great views over the city as well.
We liked the downstairs bar so we didn’t really mind missing out on the one on the terrace. They made a wide variety of drinks, a decent wine selection and you could also order food. Amongst other things they had pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and snacks. These offered good value for money and were a great way to get some energy before heading out into the city. The breakfast buffet was also good. They had a tasty selection of fruits, cheese, ham, bread, and cereal. Sometime they also served Chipas – a type of local cheese bread made with cassava flour.
Of course, one of the hotel’s draws is its location. There is plenty to explore in the immediate neighborhood and most of it can be easily reached on foot. It is just a couple of blocks from the Avenida 9 de Julio (Avenue 9th of July) which the Argentinians will tell you is the widest road in the world. It is an incredible 14 lanes and half way down is the towering obelisk – a monument which has become one of the city’s symbols. On the other side of the avenue are a number of beautiful government buildings and theaters, where if you are lucky you can catch a tango show.
If you walk south from the hotel instead, you will quickly reach Calle Florida, the famous pedestrianized shopping street which is a must visit. Alongside the shops are cafes and bars, making it a great place to sit and people-watch. Many interesting street performers can be found here, and it is a great place to walk along at nightfall. Continue a few blocks further and you arrive at the Plaza de Mayo square – home to Casa Rosada or the Pink House where the president lives, the national cathedral, and a number of other historic buildings. Thanks to its central location, from the hotel you can also visit some of Buenos Aires’ other neighborhoods. Recoleta, San Telmo, and Palermo are all just a short trip in a taxi.
All in all, Hotel Pulitzer is a pretty good place to call home in Buenos Aires. It is charming and well-designed, and it offers everything you need for a comfortable experience. It is ideal for people visiting the city on business – or those short of time – as it is so close to many of the main sights. While Microcentro lacks the charm of Buenos Aires’ other neighborhoods, these things more than make up for it.