I stayed at the Alvear in 2000 and had excellent memories of it (backed up by the recent Tripadvisor comments). Returning to Buenos Aires with my family in Dec 2007, I was keen to stay there again.

I was so disappointed (see below why). Overall, you have an impression of a hotel living on past glories. Although the building is attractive, it is starting to become very worn. Additionally, there is nothing particularly original about the style of the Alvear. It is regular inter-war European Imperial style (of which there are plenty of examples in most European cities) so I really don't see this as being a true “Argentinian” experience.

So what is wrong? Basically, the management and service of the hotel is poor and the room product is weak.

I reserved premium palace rooms but failed to notice that when confirming interconnecting rooms, the rooms had become just “palace” rooms. $30 cheaper but a world apart from the room I remembered on my last visit (and confirmed by looking at the relative sizes on the fire escape floorplan). The normal rooms were probably 35sq.m and when interconnecting, we lost one bedside table so it was not possible to read in bed. The bathrooms were awful – old and small. You can’t use the toilet without standing back and closing the door. The bath is so small that it is basically a shower stall.

The rooms were also not prepared on arrival (at 10.00pm after a 16 hour flight). The hotel demanded that I send names and ages of our children yet the rooms were not connecting nor was a crib in the room on arrival. I told the reception that I was very unhappy with the service – wrong size of room, not prepared etc. They said they would do something. Nothing happened – at checkout, I just got the normal bland “did you enjoy your stay”.

It wasn’t just the room – at breakfast, I was told that I would have to pay extra for an omelette (cheap when not eating pork meant that most of the hot buffet was inedible), the swimming pool is tiny and didn’t open until 11.00am (despite signs saying it would be 8.00am) and the concierge organized flights for us which did not exist (we only found out when we arrived at the airport and wasted 3 hours of our Christmas day).

Some of this might sound petty but bear in mind that the bill for a family of 2 adults and 3 small children was over $1000 for a 12 hour stay. In Buenos Aires this will get you much more.

Truly a palace in every sense of the word. Service par excellence, sublime cuisine, pure luxury decor. Caring, personal service on every level - except for one concierge chap - Claudio. Éverything you could wish for in a hotel - including champagne at breakfast!

I was told by a friend that the Alvear is as fabulous as the Ritz in Paris, for half the price. I don't know, because, unlike my friend, I did not stay at the Ritz when we went to Paris (though our hotel there was quite lovely). I do know that the Alvear is world class and just stunning.

The hotel is in a very upscale neighborhood (the entire city is really very pretty), and is within easy walking distance of good shops and restaurants (though cabs are so inexpensive, location does not matter much in BA).

The lobby is pretty, with lots of marble and pretty fabric. Our room was just perfect. It was very pretty, with large closets (including one cedar), the bathroom was large, complete with a stand alone shower, jet tub, and Hermes toiletries. And, our beds were the best I've ever encountered in a hotel. The fresh roses and daily fresh fruit were a nice touch.

The staff was helpful, friendly, and not obtrusive. We enjoyed evening drinks in the lobby bar, which came with warmed nuts and other complimentary nibbles. We did not have time to try the restaurant, though did enjoy the breakfast buffet, and afternoon tea - more food than the two of us could possibly finish.

We spent only four nights in BA, and nearly cried when we had to leave. The city is so interesting, that we spent a lot of our time out and about (including a day trip to a ranch - such fun), so didn't get to spend as much time just enjoying the hotel as we might have liked.

The hotel is just opening a new spa - in fact it was not open while we were there, but a sweet employee took me on a tour (my request), and I will definitely have some services the next time I am there.

Having stayed at a fair number of the best hotels in the world, there is no doubt that the Alvear is simply the best hotel in South America. The location is as central as can be; the garden is lovely and the rooms are extremely clean and well-maintained.

However, what truly sets the Alvear apart from other five star hotels is the staff. There are more impressive hotels and hotels with larger rooms and suites, but none has a staff as professional, dedicated and friendly as the Alvear. It is truly magnificent and friendly, and the staff will do anything and everything to satisfy the demands of every guest.

Buenos Aires is an exciting city, I will definitely return and stay again at the Alvear. Go there, if you want nothing but the best.