The Hilton sits in the Puerto Madero district of Buenos Aires. This area is basically a property hotspot of new buildings built on the old port area to show the "new" face of Buenos Aires, ie about the only thing that is not crumbling into the ground. The building looks stunning, it has a huge convex curved glass wall that opens out into a "typical" Hilton atrium with open air passageways going up seven floors.

When you arrive here, your initial reaction is "Wow!" - it is particularly stunning in the context of the unsafe and decrepid city that Buenos Aires has become since the countries melt down 10 years ago.

The rooms are very large. Even the standard rooms include a massive double bed and a work desk area with (pricey $20 a day) internet connection. The pricing in the hotel generally is typically American Hilton - which is quite amazing when you think that you can take a taxi anywhere in the city for the equivalent of $US5. How on earth can the internet, water etc be so expensive?

The rooms have big bathrooms too and walk-in closets (with safes and ironing boards) however the overall effect is very depressing. They are decorated in black, grey and eggshell white with no colour relief. Lighting in the rooms is "moody" but the overall effect is well just depessing.

Breakfast Buffet is the best bet but again comes in at around $20 per person. The quality of the buffet is excellent. Don't make the mistake of ordering in your room. Room service inexplicably takes some 35 minutes to arrive stale and uninteresting.

The health club is well appointed and there is a small charge of $US 2 for the use of it per session.

We arrived in this hotel as part of a post-cruise package with Celebrity Cruises. The check-in was nothing less than chaotic and no rooms were mysteriously available until 4pm.

The central lobby area is very pleasant during the day but the lighting remains the same in the evenings so it becomes "over-lit" , ie it is not pleasant to spend time there in the evenings.

Our biggest gripe with this hotel was the staff. The attitude was that if you were a tourist you couldnt possibly be rich and important (many elderly ladies from the Puerto Madero area apparently swan into this hotel for afternoon tea covered in ostentatious jewellery). This is a bit of a criticism of Buenos Aires generally but it is fair to say that everything in this hotel is delivered with an icy smile and (in the case of food and drink) after a delay of about 30 minutes by staff who appear to think that we all go there to look at how wonderful they are.

When I checked out of the hotel, it was a similar story - about 30 people (not a group, but business people) queuing up while some 5 desk clerks fussed around the airline crews arriving and the Hilton Honours guests leaving us until they had a free moment.

All this place needs is a few boarding gates and it would feel like you were sleeping in an airport terminal.

If you are staying in BA for a couple of nights on a business trip, the quality of the in-room ammenities and gym will make this hotel an attractive option for you but don't PLEASE consider this an option for tourism. It's has about as much to do with the city as say, staying in DisneyLand Paris and thinking you've "done France".

Not specific to this hotel : There are serious personal security issues in BA. Because of the crumbling economy crime is increasing dramatically and the favourite target is now international tourists. We were knocked down in front of cars in a street by a gang attempting to steal our wallets and watches. This happened in Recoleta (the most upscale area of town) on a Saturday morning. Because we put up a fight we lost just a watch. When you arrive, put everything into your hotel safe except say $100 in SMALL BILLS, no watches, no mobiles, no jewellery or handbags of any kinds. Better still take a taxi to everywhere and dont walk. This includes popular areas like the cemetry.

Puerto Madero (where the Hilton is located) is relatively safe only due to the HUNDREDS (this is not an exageration) of police patrolling every 50m or so. These policemen are not a "job creation" programme so be aware why there are so many and be safe.

Summarising, ok for a business stay but without any soul or flavour of Buenos Aires - tourists stay away!