Review – Hotel Vitrum – Buenos Aires, Argentina

When the Tourism Board for Buenos Aires offered me a stay at the Vitrum Hotel in the popular neighborhood of Palermo I thought they were being very nice, but after the stay, I think perhaps they were just showing off. Buenos Aires is an easy city to love and this hotel sure didn’t hurt.

The hotel is located in the tree-lined streets of Palermo and just a few blocks from a number of great cafes that spill out into the streets. Vitrum itself boasts a sushi cafe, but nearby eateries also included pizza, pasta, platters of Argentina grilled beef, a 1950s themed American-style hamburger join, and at least one Irish pub.

The Palermo neighborhood, like many Buenos Aires neighborhoods we saw, has a mixture of well-kept and posh buildings as well as buildings and sidewalks in poor repair and covered with graffiti, but the Vitrum is very clean and well-maintained. The hardwood floors in our room were kept so clean you could walk over them barefoot and your feet would stay clean. I am not sure you could always do that on my floor at home.

It appears to have been recently renovated since the style of the hotel is very modern with glass-walled corridors and elevator. In the remodel they uncovered some of the structural concrete pillars for a kind of reclaimed industrial look. The furnishings are also very stylish, yet quite comfortable.

The communal spaces in the Vitrum were inviting. The pool is not large but is lovely. It has jets at one end for a jacuzzi effect. The nearby fitness room is well equipped. I loved the small glass-enclosed outdoor seating area outside our room.

Breakfast was served in the dining room in the lobby. The food was good and plentiful. I am of the opinion that the residents of Buenos Aires have a sweet tooth because of the number of pastries that included dulce de leche.

The hotel was quiet during our 3-night stay with the exception of one band of partiers celebrating the Mardi Gras holiday. The great big comfortable bed was a great way to sleep off our jet lag. We stayed in a room with a sitting room, fridge, and microwave. Our traveling companions stayed in a smaller room without the sitting room. Either would make a fine choice for your next stay in Buenos Aires.

Internet was included with the room. Wi-fi was available throughout the hotel and had good speed which was good as we were about to get on a cruise ship with an enforced internet diet. Public computers were also available in the lobby.

The Hotel Vitrum is about a mile from the nearest metro station (Palermo). A subway ride is only 5 pesos (about 50 cents U.S.). Cabs are also plentiful and inexpensive. A cab to the ferry to Colonia Sacramento or to the cruise ship terminal is about 100 pesos (around $10 US).