We just finished an 8 night stay at the FS BA.I will start off by saying we have a strong preference for the FS chain. The main building of this property is not gorgeous by FS standards but the rooms are quite luxurious with nice details. We had a one bedroom suite which also had a large jacuzzi. It is important in this hotel to request a view of the mansion or you are facing a freeway. There did not seem to be any noice in the building. Service was great, especiallly housekeeping, but the concierges were either a little weak on their knowledge or just didn't take much ownership in terms of making sure that what they planned worked out. (i.e. arranging an excursion and then not telling the person who they planned to pick you up the correct train station, or sending you to a part of the city for shopping on a federal holiday when the shopping was closed. On one excursion we paid for lunch for four people and the restaurant was closed so they gave us one cheese and cracker plate and when we told the concierge they agreed that was not right but did not do anything such as call the company.) The overall location within the city is very good in what is considered the best neighborhood ( Recoleta). That said, my husband and I were both warned on several occasions by both concierges and hotel managers to take off our name brand stainless steel watches b/c they were definitely a target for thieves. One of the largest "villas", Villa 31, which are slums or shantytowns, 4 blocks from the hotel. Oddly enough, despite this, when you are walking around you feel completely safe, so it is a bit deceptive. We visited both the Alvear Palace and Palacio Dahau Hyatt. The Alvear was not fresh enough for us and we would not stay there. The Hyatt is definitely the most beautiful of the three. I cannot speak for their service, but at meals we had there it was excellent. The food at the FS was excellent but the restaurant feels like a coffee shop in terms of ambiance b/c it is the same for dinner as it is for breakfast. All of the restaurants we were sent to by the hotel were great. The gym/ spa in the hotel were small but certainly adequate. It was perfect weather when we were there to go to the pool, but we just found the city a bit more interesting. There were always a few people at the pool and it's nice to have the option. One thing we ended up doing worked out beautifully for us. We kept trying to go to an estancia and the concierges just couldn't quite make that happen. We were losing days and not planning other things b/c of their futile attempts. Primarily we wanted to relax on a ranch in the country and go horseback riding. We decided to go to the FS property in Carmelo, Uruguay which was a treat and perfect after a long stay in the city...easy to get to, relaxing, amazing rooms, great spa and service. It's in the middle of nowhere but very luxurious and a great place to unwind. we definitely enjoyed our stay here but if we go to BA again we would try the Hyatt for at least part of the triip.

This was the most gorgeous hotel from the first foot through the door to a rose filled lobby, sensational food, perfect service, great wine, just a really sensational hotel.
We arrived for the one night, which was a shame as this hotel which price wise was not cheap was however "top notch".
The rooms were splendid, the location excellent, the best ever experience of any hotel.

I stayed here one night upon arrival in BA before heading to Bariloche. I will say it was the perfect place to crash and relax after the long flight from Chicago. However, I don't think I would stay here more than one night for two reasons. First, it is insanely expensive for Argentina. Second, you could be anywhere in the world staying here. The service was great, the pool was nice (although not sunny all day because of the shadow of the building), the rooms were big and of course had great bathrooms. But really, who wants to go all the way to South American to feel like you never left the US? Later in our trip we ended up back in BA at a hotel in Palermo, and honestly, even though it was a fraction of the price of the Four Seasons, if they were the same I think I would still stay at the little one in the cute neighborhood. The Four Seasons definitely gives you a luxurious, although generic, experience.

I stayed at the Four Seasons for business 4 nights in early March 2008. We usually stay at the Duhau which was, unfortunately, fully booked. After having read all of the tremendous reviews for the Four Seasons we decided to stay there.

I expected a fabulous experience with unprecedented service and I'm disappointed to say that we received neither.

First, I got there and my room wasn't ready and they had no idea when it would be ready. Every time I would ask for info a new person would come and re-explain the situation again. I finally settled for going to the gym and had to bring my luggage with me into the gym (!!) and they told me they would take care of it and deliver it to my room or put it in safe keeping. After a half an hour I went back into the changing room and all of my belongings were just hanging out there for anyone to steal.

I finally got to my room which was nice enough, very non descript in it's decor. Certainly didn't communicate luxury, it felt like any room in any decent four star hotel. The room over looked the highway that passes beneath (make sure you ask for a pool view). Beds are extremely comfortable, and the curtains are true black out curtains. The bathroom is kind of small - no bigger than your average Marriott - and done with old style more classic traditional finishings. Lots of brass and marble.

The common areas are quite small and on the main floor they have both of their two restaurants - which are always crowded. The clientele seemed to be primarily Americans, a mix between older retired couples and business people. I will say that the food at both the restaurant and the bar were among the best meals we had in BsAs. The decoration is all very dark wood, barely lit. All pretty, but very heavy in terms of ambience. The bar staff is painfully slow and it seems that everyone is a bit jittery. We would hear on average, three broken glasses/plates etc every time that we came.

The gym and spa are very nice, though again, everything feels very cramped. Everything is designed in a rich wood, Incan style decoration and they burn a heavy incense. This was actually the only space in the hotel that made me feel like I was in South America. The spa staff (and the business center) are the best trained staff that they have in the hotel.

In terms of overall service, I was terribly underwhelmed. The front hall staff seems to be non existent. Not that it makes a difference, but not once did anyone open the front door for us - which is a standard in any other hotel. When we had lunch at the restaurant we were a party of 7 and the girl looked at an empty restaurant and said I don't know if we can put together a table of 7, and could we do 6 people (?!). At the pool, in 3 hours, no one came to ask us if we wanted drinks, did we need a towel - nothing. There were tons of little incidents like this.

Our last night we went to the Duhau for drinks and I was reminded of the dramatic difference between the two hotels. The Duhau feels like it's in Argentina - even two occaisional dancers during drinks - and has beautiful wide open airy spaces.

I'm sure it's a matter of taste, but I think that the Four Seasons is a good standby for a more traditional tourist and for someone who's looking for a newer luxury might feel more at home at the Duhau.