any new developments in Buenos Aires?

[bigguyinpasadena]

I know some posters here have made trips recently.How about paying back on the advice you have recived from the good posters here and share your experiences.

This forum is in need of some fresh post!

[bigguyinpasadena]

I know some posters here have made trips recently.How about paying back on the advice you have recived from the good posters here and share your experiences.

This forum is in need of some fresh post!

[BgMstr4u]

I did initiate or contribute to several posts during and after my time in BA last August, but I am happy to contribute more.

 

Re the HJ hotel imbroglio -- I did not stay there, but my impression is that really open gay sexuality is not the Argentine style, and that the goings on at HJ Florida may have become more blatant than their management wanted, especially if they were trying to "upscale" that property a little. That the "other" HJ has a much lower rating and much worse reviews on TripAdvisor, etc., may indicate that the business decision was to direct the overtly gay business there and hope that we would be content with a worse hotel as the trade-off for the convenience of having in-house cooperation and even direct assistance with escorts.

 

With the exception of a very few hotels at the very top of the food chain (the Alvear Palace, the Sofitel at Arroyo), the hotels in BA are inexpensive. You are probably going to have the same issues with visitors in your room no matter where you go, so you are better off getting a good hotel and dealing with its visiting policies than limiting yourself to the HJ experience. Some of the decently priced hotels in BA are really quite nice. On my return next year I will be tempted to look at one of the Kempinski properties, which are reasonably priced, or even really splurge and go for the Sofitel (on Arroyo) if I can get a good deal. I may even go for an apartment. Quite nice ones in good areas can be had, if websites are to be believed, for $500-$1000 US a month. Probably worth it if I decide to stay that long, which I may. $200 and up for an expensive hotel in BA is, after all, the normal rate for NYC, and sub-normal for London. Rates around $100 are perfectly possible, and there are plenty of decent hotels for less.

 

Neighborhoods in BA are important. Buenos Aires can be very elegant, especially Recoleta, Barrio Norte, and Belgrano. It can also be gritty, if that is what you want -- the Microcenter south of Santa Fe, toward the Congreso, for example.

 

During my stay I found that I could not stay up late enough to take advantage of the overtly gay nightlife in BA. Really -- don't even think of showing up till 11, and nothing serious seems to happen in the clubs till midnight or so. Next time I go I will stay longer so that I can reset my internal clock and enjoy it.

 

BA is a wonderful city for cultural life. It has a marvelous literary and artistic history, a surprising amount of live theatre (in Spanish, of course) and a lot of serious music. The tango is a national obsession, and BA is its epicenter. And of course the political history is fascinating as well. So there's plenty for the "daytimers" like me!

[BgMstr4u]

I did initiate or contribute to several posts during and after my time in BA last August, but I am happy to contribute more.

 

Re the HJ hotel imbroglio -- I did not stay there, but my impression is that really open gay sexuality is not the Argentine style, and that the goings on at HJ Florida may have become more blatant than their management wanted, especially if they were trying to "upscale" that property a little. That the "other" HJ has a much lower rating and much worse reviews on TripAdvisor, etc., may indicate that the business decision was to direct the overtly gay business there and hope that we would be content with a worse hotel as the trade-off for the convenience of having in-house cooperation and even direct assistance with escorts.

 

With the exception of a very few hotels at the very top of the food chain (the Alvear Palace, the Sofitel at Arroyo), the hotels in BA are inexpensive. You are probably going to have the same issues with visitors in your room no matter where you go, so you are better off getting a good hotel and dealing with its visiting policies than limiting yourself to the HJ experience. Some of the decently priced hotels in BA are really quite nice. On my return next year I will be tempted to look at one of the Kempinski properties, which are reasonably priced, or even really splurge and go for the Sofitel (on Arroyo) if I can get a good deal. I may even go for an apartment. Quite nice ones in good areas can be had, if websites are to be believed, for $500-$1000 US a month. Probably worth it if I decide to stay that long, which I may. $200 and up for an expensive hotel in BA is, after all, the normal rate for NYC, and sub-normal for London. Rates around $100 are perfectly possible, and there are plenty of decent hotels for less.

 

Neighborhoods in BA are important. Buenos Aires can be very elegant, especially Recoleta, Barrio Norte, and Belgrano. It can also be gritty, if that is what you want -- the Microcenter south of Santa Fe, toward the Congreso, for example.

 

During my stay I found that I could not stay up late enough to take advantage of the overtly gay nightlife in BA. Really -- don't even think of showing up till 11, and nothing serious seems to happen in the clubs till midnight or so. Next time I go I will stay longer so that I can reset my internal clock and enjoy it.

 

BA is a wonderful city for cultural life. It has a marvelous literary and artistic history, a surprising amount of live theatre (in Spanish, of course) and a lot of serious music. The tango is a national obsession, and BA is its epicenter. And of course the political history is fascinating as well. So there's plenty for the "daytimers" like me!

[MscleLovr]

I am in Buenos Aires at present and I have been here several times (and previously posted info in the MC).

 

I would just like to comment on the rates quoted above, tho I should first say that I very much agree with what else is written.

 

I find the hotels in BA are NOT that good. Often breakfast is poor or service is lacking. I travel a lot so I can compare and BA hotels are not great value for money - other parts of the world with more developed tourist services are often much better value. And Yes, rates have risen a lot.

 

I stay in Design Suites or Loi Suites which are around US$100 per night but there is a tourist tax of 21% so that is US$121 per night. And there are price differentials: Locals are charged less, according to two friends here who deal with the travel industry.

 

The top hotels are very good but, as noted above, very expensive. I don´t want a "businessman´s hotel" and I would rather spend money on entertainment, and I especially don´t want aggravation if I am having a friend to stay overnight with me (even tho I´m out and register the other guy at reception first)

 

It seems difficult to find a reasonably priced hotel in BA that offers good service and is in a good location. And I think location is VERY important in this city.

 

I have just looked at rental apartments also. The rates quoted earlier are low even for a long-term rental (by law, 2 or 3 years here) and would be much higher for a short-term "holiday" rental unless it is a private arrangement with an individual.

 

I know that people may dispute what I say about rates, but I would just add that I speak Spanish to the hotels and rental agencies and I have used Argentine friends as intermediaries to get better prices than those first offered to me.

 

I don´t have ready access to the net while I´m here but I will post more uptodate general information later

[MscleLovr]

I am in Buenos Aires at present and I have been here several times (and previously posted info in the MC).

 

I would just like to comment on the rates quoted above, tho I should first say that I very much agree with what else is written.

 

I find the hotels in BA are NOT that good. Often breakfast is poor or service is lacking. I travel a lot so I can compare and BA hotels are not great value for money - other parts of the world with more developed tourist services are often much better value. And Yes, rates have risen a lot.

 

I stay in Design Suites or Loi Suites which are around US$100 per night but there is a tourist tax of 21% so that is US$121 per night. And there are price differentials: Locals are charged less, according to two friends here who deal with the travel industry.

 

The top hotels are very good but, as noted above, very expensive. I don´t want a "businessman´s hotel" and I would rather spend money on entertainment, and I especially don´t want aggravation if I am having a friend to stay overnight with me (even tho I´m out and register the other guy at reception first)

 

It seems difficult to find a reasonably priced hotel in BA that offers good service and is in a good location. And I think location is VERY important in this city.

 

I have just looked at rental apartments also. The rates quoted earlier are low even for a long-term rental (by law, 2 or 3 years here) and would be much higher for a short-term "holiday" rental unless it is a private arrangement with an individual.

 

I know that people may dispute what I say about rates, but I would just add that I speak Spanish to the hotels and rental agencies and I have used Argentine friends as intermediaries to get better prices than those first offered to me.

 

I don´t have ready access to the net while I´m here but I will post more uptodate general information later

[BgMstr4u]

Thanks for this. Friends in BA helped me get a really outstanding rate at a hotel and I am pretty sure I was not charged the 21% tax, so it may be one of those things that is slapped on foreigners in the tourist bubble? A good thing to point out!

 

During my visit in August, many of my friends, particularly the Brits who have lived there long enough to have a somewhat detached view of the government and economy, warned me that in October many prices would begin to rise, particularly if it looked like the particular set of Peronists currently in charge were to win the Congressional elections. Those elections are scheduled for Oct. 23. It seemed to me then that prices for many things seemed low. Perhaps they are beginning to creep up.

 

On the cost of vacation apartments: There are a number of agencies. I just did a quick google search (buenos aires vacation apartments) and got this website: http://www.bytargentina.com/

It has a number of attractive apartments in good neighborhoods for less than US $1,000. It is of course possible that by the time you actually pay the bill, there will be fees and taxes, etc. But it is still a lot less than US $100 or more per night for a month.

[BgMstr4u]

Thanks for this. Friends in BA helped me get a really outstanding rate at a hotel and I am pretty sure I was not charged the 21% tax, so it may be one of those things that is slapped on foreigners in the tourist bubble? A good thing to point out!

 

During my visit in August, many of my friends, particularly the Brits who have lived there long enough to have a somewhat detached view of the government and economy, warned me that in October many prices would begin to rise, particularly if it looked like the particular set of Peronists currently in charge were to win the Congressional elections. Those elections are scheduled for Oct. 23. It seemed to me then that prices for many things seemed low. Perhaps they are beginning to creep up.

 

On the cost of vacation apartments: There are a number of agencies. I just did a quick google search (buenos aires vacation apartments) and got this website: http://www.bytargentina.com/

It has a number of attractive apartments in good neighborhoods for less than US $1,000. It is of course possible that by the time you actually pay the bill, there will be fees and taxes, etc. But it is still a lot less than US $100 or more per night for a month.

[MscleLovr]

apartments in Buenos Aires

 

Thanks: I appreciate what you wrote. And the website is helpful.

 

I have used another site http://www.alojargentina.com.ar in the past.

 

I note what you say about rentals. When I say I checked this out, perhaps I should have said I am looking to rent with a local guy and we have been looking only in very good areas (Recoleta and Palermo Chico). Currently, we cannot find anything unfurnished and GOOD for less than US$900 per month (including all costs and taxes).

 

I stress GOOD quality because so often the buildings are not well maintained or the interiors of the apartments are poor.

 

I would add another caution. Do not believe all that you read/see on the net... Dazzler Suites Arroyo, for instance, looks great on the website and is listed as on a street with many art galleries - the reality is that the rooms were dark and had very elderly furniture (No, not antique, more like bad 1940s); the bathrooms were poor; and the place is actually on the cross-street which has very noisy traffic even by BA standards

[MscleLovr]

apartments in Buenos Aires

 

Thanks: I appreciate what you wrote. And the website is helpful.

 

I have used another site http://www.alojargentina.com.ar in the past.

 

I note what you say about rentals. When I say I checked this out, perhaps I should have said I am looking to rent with a local guy and we have been looking only in very good areas (Recoleta and Palermo Chico). Currently, we cannot find anything unfurnished and GOOD for less than US$900 per month (including all costs and taxes).

 

I stress GOOD quality because so often the buildings are not well maintained or the interiors of the apartments are poor.

 

I would add another caution. Do not believe all that you read/see on the net... Dazzler Suites Arroyo, for instance, looks great on the website and is listed as on a street with many art galleries - the reality is that the rooms were dark and had very elderly furniture (No, not antique, more like bad 1940s); the bathrooms were poor; and the place is actually on the cross-street which has very noisy traffic even by BA standards

[BgMstr4u]

RE: apartments in Buenos Aires

 

Excellent points, Mscl. In fact, if I decide to go the apartment route, I will ask Roberto to advise me. I can well imagine possible discrepancies between pix on websites and the reality.

 

That said, Roberto advises me that some of these vacation apartments are owned by people who are not in BA for long stretches of time. They may be away on long trips or lead lives that bring them to BA only on an occasional basis. The apartments may be investments bought at a low point in the market, and the owners are waiting for a possible rise. They may be places to live in eventually but not yet. Another BA phenomenon is family built and owned condo buildings with units which are deliberately not rented out on a long term basis, so as not to cloud a possible sale when the need arises. Hence the management by professional rental agencies catering to foreigners on vacation and longer business trips. Real estate investment strategies are as varied in BA as in NYC, London, and Paris!

 

I would be interested in further on the ground reporting from you -- thank you for your expertise and experience!

[BgMstr4u]

RE: apartments in Buenos Aires

 

Excellent points, Mscl. In fact, if I decide to go the apartment route, I will ask Roberto to advise me. I can well imagine possible discrepancies between pix on websites and the reality.

 

That said, Roberto advises me that some of these vacation apartments are owned by people who are not in BA for long stretches of time. They may be away on long trips or lead lives that bring them to BA only on an occasional basis. The apartments may be investments bought at a low point in the market, and the owners are waiting for a possible rise. They may be places to live in eventually but not yet. Another BA phenomenon is family built and owned condo buildings with units which are deliberately not rented out on a long term basis, so as not to cloud a possible sale when the need arises. Hence the management by professional rental agencies catering to foreigners on vacation and longer business trips. Real estate investment strategies are as varied in BA as in NYC, London, and Paris!

 

I would be interested in further on the ground reporting from you -- thank you for your expertise and experience!

[MscleLovr]

Tax

 

You reminded me about the tax (known as IVA, at a rate of 21%)

 

I too avoided it on one visit.

 

I waited until there was no-one else at Reception and spoke to the manager discreetly before checking out of an hotel. He asked me if I needed a bill

- I did not -

and if I would pay cash (the amount was the same whether paid in Pesos or Dollars)

- I did -

then he gave me a print-out of the hotel´s charges, and I paid and we were both happy.

[MscleLovr]

Tax

 

You reminded me about the tax (known as IVA, at a rate of 21%)

 

I too avoided it on one visit.

 

I waited until there was no-one else at Reception and spoke to the manager discreetly before checking out of an hotel. He asked me if I needed a bill

- I did not -

and if I would pay cash (the amount was the same whether paid in Pesos or Dollars)

- I did -

then he gave me a print-out of the hotel´s charges, and I paid and we were both happy.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Tax

 

Currently I am in Curitiba, Brasil, after spending eight or more days in Buenos Aires, and ten and eight respectively in Rio and Sao Paulo.

 

While I was in Buenos Aires, I stayed at the Howard Johnson DaVinci which was a rather comfortable hotel; I received special rates through Daniel whom I believe is employed at the Howard Johnson Florida although I met him twice at the HJ DaVinci.

 

I had three guest escorts while there without any problem. I did NOT care for the breakfast though, but one can always go elsewhere for this particular meal.

 

...had a wonderful time while there with the guidance of two outstanding guides: Roberto before he took off on his trip to the North and Guillermo, the webmater of gayguideargentina.com. I got a sense of the neighborhoods and the culture that exists in each. I also received salient help in terms of escorts through the assistance of Roberto.

 

When I return to the ´´Paris of the South--´´ I would like to be traveling with another to experience the culture and the people in their totality.

 

As the previous writer mentioned, nightlife begins rather late: I went on a tour of gay places, but after being in the first venue for about half an hour, which was short-lived due to the smoking, I aborted the tour. The other tours |(all daytime) were quite, quite excellent.

 

As an aside-- if one can speak Spanish, it truly, truly enhances the experiences.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Tax

 

Currently I am in Curitiba, Brasil, after spending eight or more days in Buenos Aires, and ten and eight respectively in Rio and Sao Paulo.

 

While I was in Buenos Aires, I stayed at the Howard Johnson DaVinci which was a rather comfortable hotel; I received special rates through Daniel whom I believe is employed at the Howard Johnson Florida although I met him twice at the HJ DaVinci.

 

I had three guest escorts while there without any problem. I did NOT care for the breakfast though, but one can always go elsewhere for this particular meal.

 

...had a wonderful time while there with the guidance of two outstanding guides: Roberto before he took off on his trip to the North and Guillermo, the webmater of gayguideargentina.com. I got a sense of the neighborhoods and the culture that exists in each. I also received salient help in terms of escorts through the assistance of Roberto.

 

When I return to the ´´Paris of the South--´´ I would like to be traveling with another to experience the culture and the people in their totality.

 

As the previous writer mentioned, nightlife begins rather late: I went on a tour of gay places, but after being in the first venue for about half an hour, which was short-lived due to the smoking, I aborted the tour. The other tours |(all daytime) were quite, quite excellent.

 

As an aside-- if one can speak Spanish, it truly, truly enhances the experiences.

[twinkboylover28]

RE: Tax

 

BigGuy admits he's full of shit:

 

bigguyinpasadena Sun Oct-30-05 10:41 AM

Member since Nov 03rd 2002

1694 posts

 

#92905, "RE: National Public Radio"

In response to Reply # 59

 

 

As you can't possibly be as dim as you are coming off in this post I would hope you can see in my post(and repost) above the reason of the withdrawel of the apology which was too hastily granted and after further reflection withdrawn.

I was premature in granting an apology to your fact finding skills.Upon examination of the evidenc provided I felt that you had not provided any evidence to back up your initial accusation.Thus I withdrew the apology with the offer of reinstatement once viable evidence was presented.

This be the way was no "concession"by any use if the term.

Still awaiting either the evidence or the apology,,,,waiting,,,waiting,,,waiting,,,,

 

BigGuyInPasadena

"We are all in the gutter-but some of us are looking at the stars"

O.Wilde

 

 

 

 

Just like Al Gore, BigGuy giveth, and then taketh away!! HAHAHAHAHAHA

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Tax

 

Twink, why are you hyjacking BigGuy's responses? It does nothing in regard to what others are seeking to find out! Would you mind selecting another means to vent your dissatisfaction or disapproval?

 

The moderator should delete your responses, but, unfortunately, apparently that does not happen on this site anymore! I might be mistaken!!!!!

[Traveler North]

Will go to BA in a few months. Have checked escort webs and found one "Javier" who I really would like to meet. Problem is that, tho on several sites with description, there is no information on how to contact him - no e-mail or phone number. Any suggestions. Thanks.

[+ Axiom2001]

Sorry to disappoint: if there is no specific information given for Javier, then if I were you, I would make a selection or selections where information is given. There are a lot of hot, hot, hot guys at soytuyo and sensualbaires and at tangomen.com on the Argentine sites.

 

Good luck! (As another thought-- if the website itself has an email address, then contact the webmaster; that way you perhaps just might get a response, but in Javier's case, he might be away for a while, thus no information for contacting him.)