While the Hotel Grand King, at the intersection of the pedestrian streets Lavalle and Florida does not live up to its alleged 4 star rating, it has a lot of pluses that to me more than made up for its obvious minuses. I booked this hotel in an Orbitz flight/hotel package for a very modest cost. And it was a modest hotel. I probably had the worst room because of this booking arrangement but it was perfectly okay. It was cramped and faded in decor, but clean and very quiet and the bathroom was large, well lighted and everything worked fine. The lobby was fine, staff helpful and the breakfasts were plenty adequate.

The treat was the location and when it comes to a city as diverse as BsAs this location was perfect because all you had to do was walk out the door and the city was alive and waiting to invite you in. It was close to two different subway line stations and in walking distance to Teatro Colon. The two pedestrian streets had everything you needed for shopping or food.

And short walks in either directions to the ends of the pedestrial malls took you to much of what you wanted to see in this fabulous city, with only a minor contact with its notorious traffic.

Expect very modest rooms, or try their VIP upgraded rooms, lower your expectations (I have paid more for less in London) and celebrate picking a hotel that could not be better located and hit the ground running getting to know the very heart of this city.