Buenos Aires Accommodations

Expense It

The modern high-rise Park Tower Hotel (Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1193; +54-11-4318-9100; StarwoodHotels.com; $270+) overlooks Plaza San Martin, the heart of Buenos Aires, with some rooms offering views to the Rio de la Plata. It's the perfect address if you've met your targets and have time to enjoy the sumptuous facilities, marble baths, and butler service.

One of the most luxurious hotels in the city, the Four Seasons (Posadas 1086; +54-11-4321-1200; FourSeasons.com; $350+) offers rooms in its tower or in its adjacent Louis XII-style mansion. Madonna freaks take note that the mansion's balcony is where she practiced her Evita scenes.

Video Report: Buenos Aires

Unique Opportunities

The gay-friendly Legado Mitico (Gurruchaga 1848; +54-11-4833-1300; LegadoMitico.com; $220+) in the Palermo Soho area is a classically inspired, fully air-conditioned 11-room hotel with a spacious living room, terrace solarium, six-person whirlpool, and a tree-shaded patio. Each room takes its name and style cues from a historically or culturally important Spanish personality -- i.e., The Writer, named for author Jorge Luis Borges, and The Idealist, named for revolutionary Che Guevara.

If you can balance the books and you reckon you've earned it, check in to Alvear Palace (Avenida Alvear 1891; +54-11-4808-2100; AlvearPalace.com; $300+), a gold leaf and marble confection only blocks from the La Recoleta Cemetery, Evita's final resting place.

Your Dime

For stylish, budget-friendly gay stays, Telmho Boutique Hotel (1086 Defensa; +54-11-4116-5467; Telmho-Hotel.com.ar; $50+) in the heart of San Telmo is a classy and convenient option for those interested in exploring the sights of San Telmo, the Plaza de Mayo, Monserrat, and Congreso. The nine guest rooms are soothing and modern, a delight after a taxing day at the office. The Telmho sits right on Plaza Dorrego, which is very convenient for antiquing when the square and surrounding streets host the weekly Sunday antiques fair.

Another in the same wallet-friendly category is the eco-friendly Puro Baires (Niceto Vega 4788; +54-11-4139-0100; PuroBaires.com.ar; $130+) in trendy Palermo Soho, where there's a thrilling array of hip shops and restaurants to negotiate. Retro modern decor stars and there's a nice outdoor patio off of the lobby/breakfast/tea room, a small gym/sauna, and a roof deck with a pool.

Gay Stays

Slick interiors and a "heterofriendly" atmosphere make Axel Hotel Buenos Aires (Venezuela 649; +54-11-4136-9393; AxelHotels.com) the hottest hotel for your after-work plans.

It doesn't get any gayer than El Lugar Gay (Defensa 1120; +54-11-4300-4747; LugarGay.com.ar; $50+), "the gay place." Tucked away in an old building in San Telmo's historical district, its lobby is sometimes a de facto gay community center. Rooms are small, some with shared bath. On Sunday afternoons they offer same-sex tango lessons.