We were very lucky to get a room here as it's very popular. But as it turned out we got a very nice little room on the 3rd floor. Many of the rooms seemed to be very dark and don't have windows (no street noise) but if you get one in the centre of the strip either side of the courtyard it is quite light. Very small though, and the bathroom was small too. Free internet a bonus. Breakfast rather boring. Lovely common areas and friendly staff. We rang from Uruguay to get a room when we returned from a few days away but they were fully booked for the next 4 days, so we had to find somewhere else. Great location.

The Gran Hotel Hispano has small rooms, "cozy" at best. The same goes for the bathrooms, which fit one and whose showers are not separated from the rest of the bathroom--with the result that the floor will be wet for at least an hour each time you shower. On the up side, the water is hot and plentiful, and the rooms are kept warm in the winter.

The best thing about the hotel is its price, particularly given its location. It is on Avenida de Mayo, right next to the Gran Café Tortoni and its fabulous chocolate con churros. Calle Florida, Avenida Corrientes, the theater district and the presidential palace are all within walking distance, as is San Telmo (15 minutes or so away).

The breakfast offered is decidedly unimpressive: toasted sandwich bread or "media lunas" with coffee or juice drink (ask whether it's made with local water). You're best off, if you can afford to, to eat at Tortoni next door, or somewhere else.

The beds are made every day, and the cleaning and serving staff are friendly enough, although obviously it helps to know Spanish. The front desk attendants are professional, and the hotel management are efficient, albeit occasionally a bit impatient.

Basically, what you get is a good, solid hotel in an absolutely central location at an incredible price, at least by American standards. Reserve way in advance if you are coming in during a peak season. Keep your expectations low. As two star hotels go, it is excellent.

One thing about the location: although it is central, Avenida de Mayo is practically empty at night. My bet is that there are other areas of the city that are a bit more lively at night. But since the hotel is on the avenue that is home to the presidential palace, you won't feel all that unsafe.

We stayed in the hotel on our last night in Argentina. We checked in very late in the night (11:30PM) so we were never told what time check out was. The person who checked us in arranged for a cab to take us to the airport the following day at 4PM so he knew when we were to depart but neglected to tell us that we must check out at 10:30 AM. We got a NASTY call at 11:30 AM telling us we had to get out of the room immediately. We explained about check in the night before but to no avail. Seeing how we were being kicked out we asked to move our airport cab time up and the man at the desk was upset at this request. He stated "But then I have to cancel the 4 PM reservation!'. It was just an all around bad experience in this hotel. I would have gladly paid more to be treated in a nice way.

Great location for walking and right near subte stop, friendly staff, decent value for money, historic ambience, interesting courtyard, celing fan in our room. Our room was good size and on the street with lg. opening windows (fairly noisy during day, mostly acceptable at night). Our room, while charming, needed an update, the bed in particular. None of the inside/courtyard rooms on the first floor (all that we saw) have windows that we could tell, fyi, but have a/c. Pleasant continental breakfast (only). Pay by credit card during daytime hours only. Right next door to the Cafe Tortoni - an historic experience par excellence (try the chocolate w/churros!).

We loved BA! It does have a very European feel, like everone says. Although the 'aires' are anything but 'bueno' (oh the smog!), the food is great, excellent USD exchange rate (on local goods and services), very friendly people, we thought, trying very hard to please. Definitely see a tango show for some local flavor. Great clubs/nightlife with beautiful people. It's so big- barely made it to most of the neighborghoods in our 4 days there. Would definitely go back - also would like to see other parts of the country.