The Thinker's Guide to Buenos Aires, Redux: Reader Finds Castelar Hotel 'Tattered, Not Torn'
For the past two weeks, we've been spotlighting some of the best hotels Buenos Aires has to offer courtesy of Matt Chesterton. Like all good things, the mini-Buenos Aires guide had come to an end. But this morning we found a little present in our inbox---a reader's own hotel review.
In last week's "Thinkers' Guide to Buenos Aires", Matt profiled the "glamorous, rude, fading and grand" Castelar Hotel, and more specifically his wedding night there where the helpful staff did not discriminate against him for projectile vomiting on the suite's walnut paneling.
He is not alone--in his high regard for the hotel that is. As for the vomiting on wedding night, we won't go there. Anyways, one reader sent us his own take on the Castelar which he titled "Tattered, not torn" in reference to the hotel's wear and tear but which did not seem to bother him.
A few years ago right after the economy crashed we booked a small apt for a week. The apt turned out to smaller than small and dirtier than dirt. The city was vibrating with protest marches and rooms were hard to find. The Castelar was less than a block away and had a junior suite. All the Argentine charm we wished for and a staff that new how to spell service.
We asked for help booking tickets to a Tango show. The tickets were booked and transportation arranged. We were told to be back at the hotel at a certain time and a car would pick us up. The time did not meet with our other plans and we suggested if we could have the tickets now we would take a taxi from another location. The concierge insisted we return to the hotel and take the car he had arranged. If we did not he would cancel the tickets. The reason: his transportation was the only form that could be trusted.
When we got to the show we were delighted he had insisted. We might have gotten there with another cab but I doubt we would have gotten back to the hotel with all our belongings! At the Castelar you are really treated as family.
So there you have it. Sometimes the best hotel service isn't always found in a shiny and new building.
Related Stories:
· The Thinkers' Guide to Staying in Buenos Aires: Classic Hotels [HotelChatter]
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