Hotel Resources

Axel Hotel, San Telmo: Billed as the first "five-star gay hotel" in Buenos Aires. About $150 and up.

CE Hotel de Diseñ: Minimalist chic in the middle of the Barrio Norte district. About $140 and up.

Design Suites: Just steps away from the CE Hotel. $130 and up.

Faena Hotel + Universe: Former fashion designer worked with interior designer Philippe Starck to create this boutique gem. $385 and up.

Home: Fresh, contemporary décor marks this property, tucked into the popular Palermo Soho district. $115 and up.

Live Hotel: The first boutique property in the heart of Palermo Hollywood is to open in late 2008.

Argentina Photo Gallery

advertisement

WHILE YOU'RE NESTING
Sometimes, staying in can be the most romantic way to spend an evening. Order gourmet room service. Gaze at the view from your balcony. Maybe sink into the Jacuzzi together, or just cuddle between the sheets.

Whether you prefer traditional luxury or fashion-forward trendiness (whether you aim to spend $85 or $850) you'll find a variety of stylish hotels to call home during your visit. Companies like Best Friendly Hotels can help find gay and gay-friendly hotels and even short-term apartment rentals in some of the best locations.

Among the top-end choices in Buenos Aires is the Faena Hotel + Universe, one of the newest boutique hotels in the city. Created by former fashion designer Alan Faena and interior designer Philippe Starck, the Faena is set in a former grain warehouse that has been thoughtfully recast as a luxurious oasis in the Puerto Madero district. Splurge on the Tower Suite and you'll get a triplex apartment with living/dining room, Jacuzzi, and great views of the river.

If being in the heart of the very happening Palermo Soho district sounds good, choose Home where contemporary floral patterns provide cheery accents to the fresh, modern décor. One of the best rooms here is the garden suite, which at $320 a night comes complete with a two-person Jacuzzi, vintage Scandinavian furniture, and a private roof deck with dining area.

In the heart of the bustling Barrio Norte (a neighborhood with a lot of gay nightlife) are two noteworthy properties for fans of minimalism: Design Suites and CE Hotel de Diseño. Both bask in minimalist chic, and while they don't offer the best views or the largest rooms, they do have style, location, and decent room rates.

If you put off your romantic journey for another year or so, you'll be able to experience boutique-style luxury in the quieter Palermo Hollywood district. The 80-room Live Hotel, slated to open in October 2008, will be set inside an historic building that once served as a hospice for Jewish refugees from World War II. Starnova Group, the Argentinian company that's spending some $25 million to convert the property into a hotel, is shopping around for possible brand affiliations—including the French Sofitel chain.

Scheduled to open sooner (in August) is the gay-owned Axel Hotel, billed as "the first five-star gay hotel in Latin America." The 48-room hotel is a sister to the Axel Hotel that opened in 2003 in Barcelona, Spain. Located in the San Telmo district, amenities here will include a spa and swimming pool.