Luxury for Less at the Buenos Aires Grand Boutique Hotel

The stylishly contemporary Buenos Aires Grand boutique hotel shares an enviable location in the highbrow Recoleta neighborhood, among 19th-century palacios (mansions), chic shops, art galleries, and restaurants, with grand dames like the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt—but for less than half the price.

The hotel has a slick sophistication and business-hotel-type perks, but also a warmth in both its décor and its congenial staff, who are all fluent in English. Four styles of rooms are available, ranging in size up to 549 square feet for a Deluxe Grand. All rooms have king beds, espresso machines, and 40-inch flat-screen televisions and muted gray, black, and brown color palettes.

Perhaps the coolest touch is the rooftop terrace—stunning city views and a spa with massage therapy, a solarium, a sauna, a Scottish shower (with hot and cold jets), and a counter-current pool. Three meals a day are available, either in the white-tablecloth Forum Room restaurant (open for breakfast and dinner) or the more relaxed Club 21 (open for lunch).