I had to find the Claridge internet "Business Rate" to overcome the "not available" from our tour company. Even if you call the hotel (which I did, you will have to go to the site to find a room.) And it was so worth it. Our rate included transportation to the pier for our 2 wk cruise. We dropped large luggage en route from EZE before two days at Iguazu Falls. The staff was exceptionally pleasant. I had every confidence that our bags were safe and we were very welcome. Just had to have lunch in the so traditional beamed bar from which one can observe the lobby. In no time we met a delightful couple from Scotland. Almost couldn't tell just which country we had entered.

When we actually checked in, we somehow found ourselves with an incredible corner suite including a huge covered balcony. All of B. A. to view around you. Yeah I did get the Evita feeling. The completely separate King-size bedroom had a short stairway to a spacious tiled bath with bidet, double sinks and two-person, sunken, whirlpool bath. Well, also a scale, but we won't go there. Didn't do breakfast, we used room service and it was timely, tasty and hot. It was all so not a chain experience. Promptly at 3:00 P.M. we said good bye to our guide and took the waiting Claridge car to board our ship.

A fabulous start to a fantastic journey. I'm glad I persisted and took the previous reviews to heart.

I don't know what that other reviewer was complaining about. I found the Claridge to be a quiet, peaceful, friendly refuge from the chaos of Buenos Aires. Our room (which was just a ROH room) was larger than most ROH rooms in Europe. The staff was friendly and courteous. Room service was delicious and extremely underpriced. When we decided on a last minute trip to Uruguay the front desk staff even tracked down our passport numbers for the travel agent from our check in sheet. (our mistake for not carrying them with us!) Not many hotels would go that extra mile. This hotel was absolutely fantastic and I have no problem recommending them.

The Claridge is a wonderful hotel that you can often get at an amazing price, about U$S 120.00 a night while we were there. The lobby was immaculate, the staff helpful, the restaraunt and bar excellent. The pool and snack bar was also nice for those hot BA summer afternoons. The location next to Florida Street was wonderful, the hotel itself was quiet, with the exceptions that the room walls are a bit thin. Also, some jerk in the room next to us was smoking (on a non-smoking floor) and we could smell it immediately in our room. There is free DSL in the rooms (with your own cable), there is also a business center with computers to access the Internet in case you didn't come with your own. The Claridge is an excellent value in the heart of BA, if you're looking for a quiet place, you shouldn't be staying in BA in the first place (try Ushuaia).

Just a note on tango shows that the concierge at the Claridge, and just about every other hotel, will try to sell you on. We dropped about U$S 120.00 for two people to go to the Almacen tango show, the price included dinner and transportation to and from the hotel. The show is excellent, the dinner is almost inedible. This wasn't helped by the fact that two chain-smokers puffed through nearly a pack between them right next to us during dinner. We feel fortunate to live in a state where all public smoking has recently been outlawed (luckily no smoking is allowed at the show). If you can find a way to see the show without dinner, you won't be sorry. You might just try catching a cab to the Almacen and asking for a table for the show at the door. We saw several people who appeared to be "walk-ins" being seated, and probably for a lot less than we paid for a crappy meal and so-so seats.

We spent 13 nights at the Claridge Hotel in Buenos Aires. The hotel room was very nice and clean, hotel staff were fantastic, food excellent and location right in the heart of the action. The hotel had a classic European feel. Classy, comfortable and reasonable. Our only complaint was the bathroom was a bit small. We could walk to most activities but if needed the taxis were very reasonable, thousands of them everywhere. Every restaurant, large and small, offered huge steak meals with trimmings and wine included for $10-$15 dollars. We had a great hot air balloon ride over the countryside. Went to a great tango dinner show. Rode horses at a ranch, with entertainment by the gauchos and a fun barbecue lunch including all the food you could eat with beer and wine. We went to a riverboat casino, had a nice dinner, lost a little, but had fun doing it. Very friendly people and a fantastic city. We'll be going back for sure to see some of the others sights of Argentina.