As for the hotel room inside 248 Finisterra, Mount calls them "pint-sized."

Comfortable, but as small and minimally decorated as a design-fair showroom. My first-floor standard room (No. 1), which was wheelchair accessible and child friendly, had sea-foam green walls, a white armoire, a black-and-white leather headboard and antique bedside tables painted white.

The window looked out onto a vine-covered garden with a giant ficus and lemon trees decorated with Christmas ornaments -- a rare oasis among the bustle of Las Cañitas. There were no newfangled flat screens, but the old-style television did offer 72 channels, including CNN and BBC in English -- not that you'll want to spend much time inside your sparsely furnished room watching TV.

In the end, the hotel is recommended for those who want t be close to all the action of Las Cañitas and won't mind a weak WiFI signal, tardy food service from the rooftop sun deck, spotty service in general and limited breakfast offerings.

However, we learn that the contestants on Latin American Idol were holed up in here during the show and the room rate of $115 is not bad either.

[Photo: Horacio Paone for the NYT]

Related Stories:
· Check In, Check Out: 248 Finisterra [New York Times]
· Thinker's Guide to Staying in Buenos Aires: Boutique Hotels, Part II"