Buenos Aires

[Brall]

I am thinking of going to BA Argentina. Since there are no saunas with boys, like the saunas in Brazil, and most of the guys are found on the internet and come to your hotel room, can anyone recommend a HOTEL where there is NO problem with guys visiting the room?

 

I am interested only in hotels. I have absolutely no desire to rent an apartment, so PLEASE limit your comments and recommendations to hotels only. THANKS!

[MscleLovr]

I've visited Buenos Aires 9x in the last 3 years and always stay in an hotel. I prefer the area of Recoleta as being secure, central and with lots of facilities, and I've played with various guys there.

 

In my experience, there is never a problem with bringing a guy to your room for these reasons:

 

1. sex work is legal there (it is only criminal for a third party to profit from the transaction)

 

2. there is a general social acceptance of homosexuality (but that said, there is little public display)

 

3. all hotels require all visitors to register at the front desk for general security purposes

 

4. all Argentines carry their ID with them and so you can readily check their age (there is a strong criminal sanction against under-age sex; 18 is the age of consent)

 

5. the guy will be neatly or well-dressed since Argentine culture puts great emphasis on being appropriately clothed (and so should you be unless you want to stand out as the 'ignorant foreigner')

 

If despite all this, you prefer not to bring your guy to reception and want anonymity, there are abundant 'telos' or hotels-by-the-hour which are clean and well-run. Several are located in Recoleta.

[+ Axiom2001]

Musclelovr, you cited some excellent information. Thanks!

 

When I was in Buenos Aires in 2005, (my first trip there), I stayed at the Howard Johnson DaVinci and had no problems in receiving visitors. In 2006 and 2007 I stayed in apartments.

[Brall]

Thanks for suggesting the Howard Johnson. Is the hotel located near the gay areas? Does anyone have "NAMES OF HOTELS" that they have stayed in and brought boys back to the room with no problems?

[Guest dreynsol]

HI Brall,

 

I was just wondering what your aversion to apartments was.

 

Apartments in BA might be different than what you might expect. The apartment I stayed at was located in an upscale high-rise building on Avenida Callao in the heart of Recoleta.

 

The apartments are gay owned and operated, and Alfredo met with a package of gay literature including maps and free tickets and discounts to the gay bars along with suggestions for particular nights while I was in town.

 

It was a nicely decorated studio apartment with maid service, 24 hour security, free breakfast, work out area with swimming pool, jacuzzi, and a dry sauna.

 

I can't imagine what more a hotel would have to offer except for perhaps room service.

 

Thanks,

 

- Drey

[+ newatthis]

What do/did you pay for such an apartment? Who is Alfredo, and how does one get in touch with him? How much does he charge for his services, and what do they comprise?

 

Thanks --

 

--new (who has had BA in the back of his mind for a while now)

[+ Axiom2001]

One thing that hotels offer vs one's staying in an apartment is breakfast. I did not necessarily like the breakfast at the HJ DaVinci, but when I stayed in the two apartments-- one year with my friend and last year alone (in a one bd apt.), we ate out at the varying restaurants and small cafes throughout the area and which we prefer doing while in Buenos Aires.

 

I stayed at the apartment complex to which Drey alluded; my friend and I stayed in a two bedroom apartment and shared the cost. Since we traveled before high season-- the rate was approximately $80US each or slightly more per day. But we found the rate comparable or perhaps better than a hotel rate.

 

Last year I went through http://www.bairesapartments.com. I went to the site, clicked on Recoleta, my preferred upscale area, contacted the manager (Martin) with a list of five properties that interested me and asked him to make the final recommendation. He did and I was indeed pleased.

 

Send me a private e, and I can go into detail. Check the prices on line for Drey's suggestion as well as for mine. Because rates vary by the year-- I hesitate to be exactly specific.

 

The same goes for the guides that I have been recommending.

[+ Axiom2001]

Remember that it's spring in South America in October through 21 December; after that it is summer. The rates for hotels and apartments are slightly higher. These rates currently appear at the site that I recommended in the previous post.

 

Also, another source to find salient information for boys and well as other interests is: http://www.gaytravelargentina.com / http://www.gaytravelbrazil.com. I don't know if there is a small fee or not if you are currently not a member.

[excelntsvc]

i second (or third or whatever) the suggestion of an apartment rental. most come with maid service as often as you would like. i'm in BA now staying off of Ave Las Heras ... and I've been renting apartments down here for years.

 

i recommend teh site http://www.vrbo.com ... baires apts chargles fairly significant deposits ... on vrbo you're dealing direct with the owner ... i'm in a small one bedroom for about 75 a night ... you'll find laundry services, cafes and groceriest easy to locate in your neighborhood

 

a free site for gay infor is http://www.thegayguide.com.ar ... info on the bars, etc ... and dont for soytuyo.com for the men!

[+ Axiom2001]

Check out http://www.gayguide.net/South_America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires; also check out http://www.buenosaires.queercity.info. That's the site which has the excellent gay info.

 

On here or at http://www.gaytravelargentina.com is a list of websites for escorts. http://www.soytuyo.com has been used by many of us for the past five years. I have NOT encountered any problems or disappointments.

[Guest dreynsol]

Just to let you know, I do operate GayTravelArgentina.com and GayTravelBrazil.com but I've been a long time poster here and my only motivation is your enjoyment in South America. I think that all we've assisted will agree with that.

 

Wanting to stay at a gay hotel during my first night in Buenos Aires... the Concord Callo was fully booked, so I stayed at the "first gay hotel" in Buenos Aires. In my opinion, the Axel Hotel, although very nice, was not as welcoming as the gay-operated apartments at the Concord Callao that I recommended. The Axel was located in a depressed part of town, nothing much around to do, no gay recommendations, plus a US$ 200 price tag per night that left me with quite a bit of regret. A status symbol and a empty wallet, if you know what I mean :-)

 

Alfredo made me feel right at home when I checked in. He speaks perfect English, gave me a wealth of information about the gay scene there, and if I had any problems whatsoever, I'd just call Alfredo. Alfredo's still a great friend and we chat often.

 

Here he is on the right with a friend of mine.

 

http://www.gaytravelargentina.com/images/concordcallao_6.jpg

 

It's currently going for around US$ 85 per night, and it's a modern building in the perfect location in the Recoleta district of BA.

 

http://www.gaytravelargentina.com/images/concord.jpg

http://www.gaytravelargentina.com/images/concord2.jpg

 

As I said in another thread, just e-mail us at: info@gaytravelargentina.com and we'd be glad to give you a free lifetime membership as a viewer of this site.

 

Here's an e-mail I received today. We recommended he stay at the Concord Callao, but he decided otherwise and that was fine. I don't think he'd mind me sharing part of his e-mail.

 

"Let me say, however, that the next time I come to BA I will definitely book the apartments through GTB, b/c I walked by there yesterday and the place is gorgeous. Plus, even though I liked the idea of staying in an apartment more than a hotel, it would be nice to have some of the hotel-like amenities that the Callao apartments provide. Since I was planning this trip on a budget, I had to be more prudent financially, but next time I will spring for the place GTB recommends. That being said, I am loving BA so far and am already planning my next trip in my head."

 

Sounds like he's having a great time though.

 

- Drey

[+ Axiom2001]

The Concord Callao Apts. were definitely centrally located and comfortably and attractively appointed. The management, at the time, was comely and indeed quite helpful and hospitable. The place has 24 hour security and mixed occupants, but that was not a problem at all.

 

My friend and I shared a two bedroom apartment, had company, encountered no problems, walked to places of interest in Recoleta as well as to good restaurants, internet cafes, and to a gayish area--Santa Fe Street which is only a few steps from the apartment.

 

This particular apartment is a stone's throw from the downtown area, too. One could walk from Florida Street (a must visit) back to the complex. In giving directions to taxi drivers, that was a breeze, too!

[+ Axiom2001]

Brall, when do you think you'll be going to Buenos Aires? I ask because the rates change with the seasons (high) (low). Email Marcelo, my superb guide, about the change. His address is: info@ciceroneba.com.ar. He will not mind my giving it to you because I told him that I'd like to encourage business for him since he was such a great guy. He complied.

 

When I get my butt in gear, I'm writing an article about cutie for an international travel news magazine. I want this young entrepreneur to do well since his expertise abound!

[kjun]

can you explain to me what is meant by "full service" I see this in the escort adds.

 

the Cajun

[Brall]

Thank you very much for your consideration. However, the only information I wanted was what I requested, "THE NAME OF HOTELS" and nothing more. As typical with this site, there is so much information not related to my request, posted. Gee, it seems as if one writer wants to probe my mind by asking what is my aversion to apartments. Oh well, such is life. To those of you who did provide the name of a hotel, THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!!

[MscleLovr]

For my part, I would have responded readily with names of good hotels if only you had first replied with appreciation of, and some courtesy towards, those of us who took time to write in answer to your demand for "a HOTEL where there is NO problem with guys visiting"

 

I explained that there is NEVER a problem (for the reasons I gave) but all hotels demand to identify and record the names of visitors as a general security precaution.

 

Since you could have just googled the names of hotels in the city, it seemed reasonable to surmise that either you are closeted and your query was based on concern about being known as a gay man, or as a first-time visitor you were unaware of the availability of good rental aprtments.

[Guest dreynsol]

"As typical with this site, there is so much information not related to my request, posted. Gee, it seems as if one writer wants to probe my mind by asking what is my aversion to apartments. Oh well, such is life."

 

Yes, I really think you should use the same approach in Argentina when inviting guys back to your hotel room. When you ask them "Do you want to come back to my hotel room", and they then try to probe you with questions as to what you would want to do... just respond "that's too much information not related to my request".

 

- Drey

[excelntsvc]

Might i suggest that since this is an escort information site, and since you did not receive the hotel reviews for which you hoped, you instead visited tripwatch or travelocity. surely someone there will provide you with valuable travel related information, ensuring that you find a hotel including information on the breakfast buffet and its proximity to any cultural sites that interest you. Oh yes, be advised that you will spend more and enjoy less, but dont let us stop you and dont let the door hit you in the .... oh whatever, you've doubtless stopped reading by now and had another hissy fit.

[KMEM]

I, for one, enjoyed all the information supplied by the various posters. More info would have been just dandy. One can never know too much in advance of a place never visited before. We who read this MB are fortunate to have several who have been there, done that and know what the real questions are or should be.

 

Thanks guys for your input. One day soon I would like to visit South America to include Argentina.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ Axiom2001]

>Thank you very much for your consideration. However, the

>only information I wanted was what I requested, "THE NAME

>OF HOTELS" and nothing more. As typical with this site,

>there is so much information not related to my request,

>posted. Gee, it seems as if one writer wants to probe my mind

>by asking what is my aversion to apartments. Oh well, such is

>life. To those of you who did provide the name of a hotel,

>THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Go to http://www.2Portenios.com, Gustavo and his partner's site. A few months ago, they updated their website and added hotel suggestions. You might desire to email them directly to request their suggestions, too!

[+ Axiom2001]

>>Thank you very much for your consideration. However,

>the

>>only information I wanted was what I requested, "THE

>NAME

>>OF HOTELS" and nothing more. As typical with this

>site,

>>there is so much information not related to my request,

>>posted. Gee, it seems as if one writer wants to probe my

>mind

>>by asking what is my aversion to apartments. Oh well,

>such is

>>life. To those of you who did provide the name of a

>hotel,

>>THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!!

>

>

>

>Go to http://www.2Portenios.com, Gustavo and his partner's site. A

>few months ago, they updated their website and added hotel

>suggestions. You might desire to email them directly to

>request their suggestions, too!

 

In 2007 I stayed at the 725 Continental Hotel in the downtown area, a beautiful boutique hotel. I don't know its rates because I was with a tour group for a week, but the ambience, the outstanding breakfast, the free internet service, and the location were ideal.

 

I'd suggest that you stay in Recoleta, though! It's upscale and in walking distance to many places (if you desire to walk).

[Guest ihpguy]

The original poster stated he only wanted recommendations for hotels.

[Brall]

Thanks Axiom for your great suggestion. I contacted the individuals you mentioned and they provided me with Hotel names, addresses and prices; that which I originally requested from this site. Selecting a hotel from their list of recommendations, I had a wonderful stay in Buenos Aires.

 

As I re-read the various posts, this thought comes to mine: "in a bed of cactus I found a rose - you". Perhaps one of these days I will have the pleasure of meeting you in Buenos Aires or Brazil.

[Guest msclonly]

Is there any reason why you didn't mention the name of the hotel and what was outstanding about it.

Or for that matter, the full list might be helpful to some.

 

That would will be very helpful, if you choose to include it!

:+

[+ Axiom2001]

Gustavo, one of the partners of http://www.2Portenios.com, had a list of hotels posted at his site some months back. It is no longer there, but he now has a list of sex hotels. Get in touch with Gustavo; he should be able to assist you in many areas.

 

And in regard to Gustavo and his http://www.2Portenios.com, my friend and I took two tours with him: the Gaucho Party and the Gay Tango. If I were to do it again, I'd go to the GP but not the GT. One can go on his own to the latter and still enjoy the event which usually occurs on a Wednesday at this particular venue. Currently the name escapes me now.

 

One restaurant/club that has strippers is INSIDE. Although the food is not the greatest, or the better dishes escaped me, I would recommend one going there for the ambience. It's "gay with a different flavor!"

 

My friend and I, along with two natives, went in 2006 and 2007; we had the table in front of the restaurant by the large picture window (a supreme spot) and enjoyed each stripper who came to our table. One waiter came to our table, too, and gave each of us a nice surprise gift. Wow! Wow! Wow!

 

(I know I wrote more than the original writer requested, but I thought what I wrote would be useful to future travelers.)