To stay at the Plaza Marriott in is to be reminded of the splendor that was Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th Century, when Argentina was an emerging economic power. Buenos Aires sought to enhance its image as the “Paris of South America” by commissioning the great architects of Europe to fashion its important buildings. The Plaza Hotel and Teatro Colon were opened in the same year (1909) and remain visible manifestations of the best money could buy back in the day.
While the Plaza has been thoroughly updated and modernized over the years and these days is managed by Marriott Corporation, this grand dame of BA hotels retains much of its original character, charm and opulence. Rooms feature modern conveniences alongside original architectural detail—Wide moldings and coffee makers; floor to ceiling windows overlooking Plaza San Martin alongside luxurious sheets made from high thread count Egyptian cotton; hand painted murals and lavish use of woods and marble in public areas alongside the most extensive work out room with the most modern equipment of any hotel in Buenos Aires; and the list goes on.
While there is not a single employee employed today that can remember when the hotel first opened, several members of the staff have been employed at the Plaza their entire adult lives, some going back 40 to 45 years. Service here is flawless. I broke a glass in the middle of the night. Glass shards were on the floor and some landed on the bed. I phoned downstairs to report my misdeed. Within four minutes the maid arrived and spent the next 30 minutes changing my bedding, vacuuming the floor, replacing the glass, and offering an apology that the first glass had been made from such thin material that it would break.
I have read reviews of this hotel for several years. In the midst of the numerous compliments there have been a few complaints about long lines at the breakfast room, guest rooms past their prime and rude staff. This is a hotel that listens and responds to complaints—now a days when the breakfast room reaches 80% capacity, the Plaza Grill (normally not open for breakfast) is pressed into service for breakfast; all rooms have been redone within the past five years
Each room at the Plaza is unique. I stayed in two rooms-398 and 722. Both had been lovingly and recently refurbished but differed in many ways. The third floor room was small and the bathroom was smaller. It was a nice room with a great view, but without a lot of moving around space. 722 was huge—windows on two sides, overlooking Florida Street and Plaza San Martin. The bath had double sinks and was about the same size as my first room on the third floor.
Stay at the Plaza Marriott if you are looking for a convenient location in downtown Buenos Aires and you find enjoyment in old world charm with a touch of luxury.
This was my first stay at the Plaza in close to 20 trips to Buenos Aires. It will not be my last.