This hotel has often been described as the best hotel in South America, and its rates reflect that image as a member of "The Leading Hotels of the World." However, our stay in May was very disappointing. Although the hotel is lovely and overall well maintained, and guests usually dress well (there is a dress code) the rooms are much smaller than the online photos -- our deluxe palace category had one small desk chair so the only place for the 2nd person to sit was on the bed; and there were almost no surfaces to put things on -- the small pieces in the room were cluttered with over-large phone consoles and other equipment. We felt claustrophobic and the front desk tried to relocate us, but while we were packing up to change rooms, they called and said the room was not available after all -- we lost a lot of one morning for nothing. A staff member said a major renovation will begin on some of the floors in June '08, with some room walls being knocked down, so perhaps this will improve. Although the staff were generally courteous and gracious, the concierge was arrogant and as another reviewer noted, did not always give correct information. Although reservations were handled fine, I had sent an email several weeks before the trip asking about room amenities (hairdryer, etc) and never received an answer. One big annoyance is the frequent use of the hotel by large conferences -- there is too much noise (not from rowdiness but too many people for the space), and the elevators can't handle the the crowds. During our stay a large conference had lunch on the top floor and afterwards most people gave up on the elevators and walked down 8 flights of stairs. For a hotel of this size, ambience and cost, it is offputting to have to work to get through the large numbers of people congregating in the lobby. The food is ok, not great, and room service quite rigid -- we couldn't order a plate of cooked vegetables even though the entrees included vegetables. Overall, if this had been a much less expensive hotel, we would have felt it was tolerable, but it was not at the level it thinks it is.

If you want to stay in a classic hotel, with exceptional service, and can afford the price, this is the hotel for you. The rooms are nicely furnished in an old fashioned style that evoked the era of Eva Peron. Butlers are at your service, and the high tea matches that anywhere in the world. The hotel has style and elegance, and is well located in Recoleta.

We've just completed a seven night stay at the Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires. This hotel needs some realistic comments since everything we read before booking indicated that it was among the finest hotels in the world. It is so far removed from that, it's pathetic. While the staff are very nice, the hotel in total is more show than substance. Five examples: 1) maid service left dirty rags in bathroom; 2) took 24 hours and two phone calls for the Butler service to deliver a list of available DVDs that should have been in the room to begin with; 3) the concierge repeatedly gave incorrect information on times of certain venues and an online check revealed this continuously; 4) food in the hotel is absolutely dreadful; 5) to get a porter at check out required a call to manager's office after waiting 15 minutes for one to come to our room. Bottom line: if you're thinking of staying at this hotel, think again and rebook fast somewhere else. It is NOT EVEN in the top 25 hotels in the world!

We spent the first 5 nights of our trip through Argentina here. While staff were professional, there was not a single employee who was friendly. Everyone seemed very put out by questions or even our merely showing up although we were always well- attired and speak Spanish with local fluency. The hostess at the restaurant even once wagged her finger at us and hushed us when we were about to say "2 for breakfast"! Even smiles were rebuked. Their intention may have been to preserve a professional demeanor, but they just came off rude.

Other problems we encountered were with the laundry services and (shockingly) molded parmesan cheese they delivered with room service. When we called to have these problems rectified, we could not reach the butler. Having been transferred to the front desk because the butler is only available until midnight, we were told: I'm sorry, but there's nobody to do anything about it.

Certainly not the type of service we have come to expect from this type/category hotel. Certainly nothing we've experienced before at other 'Grande Dames' in other cities throughout the world.

Sitting behind the check-out counter was a TripAdvisor award for this year.