Buenos Aires' BEST Luxury Hotel? (Scala Hotel Review)
Scala Hotel, Buenos Aires: My Unfiltered Luxury Experience (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the tea (and maybe some of that free, filtered water) on the Scala Hotel in Buenos Aires. Forget the glossy travel brochures; this is the REAL deal, warts and all (and trust me, even in luxury, there are warts). I’m talking a full-blown, no-holds-barred review, fueled by copious amounts of Argentinian wine and a healthy dose of jet lag.
Accessibility & Safety: Can Everyone Enjoy the Glamour?
First things first: Accessibility. This is a big one for me, and honestly, it's a mixed bag at the Scala. They do have facilities for disabled guests, and a lift (elevator), which is a HUGE plus, especially given the grand old buildings of Buenos Aires. I saw ramps and seemed to be a focus in common areas. However, I didn't personally experience it. The website mentioned this, and that's a good start. The 24-hour security, CCTV in common areas and outside the property, fire extinguishers and smoke alarms made me feel safe, but the question marks linger.
Cleanliness and the Covid Era: Sanitized or Just Shiny?
Let's face it: everyone's obsessed with cleaning these days. The Scala flaunts its Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hot water linen and laundry washing, professional-grade sanitizing services, and the whole shebang. They also have a hygiene certification that I didn't see personally, so I can't vouch for it. But the fact that they offer hand sanitizer everywhere and individually-wrapped food options is a decent start. Rooms are sanitized between stays, and you can even opt-out of room sanitization (a nice touch for the more eco-conscious).
The Rooms: Where the Magic (and Minor Annoyances) Happen
Okay, let's talk rooms. I splurged (okay, my credit card splurged) on a suite, and let me tell you, the air conditioning was a godsend in the Buenos Aires heat. The blackout curtains were essential for battling jet lag. The extra-long bed (thank goodness!) was dreamy, and the robes and slippers felt, well, luxury.
Did I mention the free Wi-Fi? Yes, it works. And free bottled water? Check. The bathroom phone was a bit of a head-scratcher (who calls from the bathroom?), but hey, it’s there. Oh, the separate shower/bathtub. Chef's kiss.
Now for the gripes. First, the soundproofing wasn’t perfect. I could still hear the faint rumble of the city, which can be a problem when the Tango music is still going at 3 AM. And the coffee? The coffee/tea maker was… well, let’s just say it didn’t quite meet my caffeine needs. Had to order a real latte from the coffee shop, which thankfully was fantastic. The mirror could have been a little bit bigger and the scale, because I'm always self-conscious.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Feast Your Eyes (and Your Wallet)
The Scala's dining options were… extensive. They boast restaurants, a poolside bar (because, naturally), a snack bar, and room service [24-hour]. The breakfast buffet was a truly decadent experience – a sprawling spread of everything from fresh fruit to pastries. Okay, maybe I sampled a few too many croissants. They had a Western breakfast and Asian breakfast, juice and coffee.
I had a fantastic dinner at the main restaurant. The international cuisine was on point, and they had a vegetarian restaurant option, which made my meat-averse friend breathe a sigh of relief. The desserts were an absolute triumph. Service was pretty good, but one evening I was waiting quite a while for a simple salad, which was annoying.
They also offered alternative meal arrangement upon request. Room service was a lifesaver after a long day of sightseeing and the bottle of water was always available, which was nice.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Pampering Paradise or Pricey Peripherals?
This is where the Scala really shines. The pool with a view is stunning. But, let's be real, I spent most of my time in the spa.
The spa/sauna were heaven sent. The steamroom was intense. And my massage? Oh. My. God. The only thing that could make that experience better could be a foot bath.
I didn’t personally get to the fitness center, mostly because I was too busy indulging. There's also a gym/fitness option. There were couple’s room options.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and Cost You)
The Scala offers pretty much everything you could want. The concierge was incredibly helpful, arranging tours and recommendations. They have a contactless check-in/out, thank goodness. Daily housekeeping was impeccable. The doorman was always there with a smile.
They offer currency exchange, a gift/souvenir shop, laundry service, and dry cleaning. I’m a sucker for a good ironing service, and theirs was top-notch. The luggage storage was useful. They even had a convenience store for those last-minute cravings.
They arrange for things like airport transfer and taxi service. They also give you an invoice provided
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
The Scala is family-friendly, with babysitting service and kids facilities, but I didn't have kids with me, so I'm not in a position to give feedback.
Getting Around: Parking and Transportation Woes
The hotel offers car park [on-site], but it’s car park [free of charge], which is always a bonus in a city like Buenos Aires. They also have valet parking, which is great if you don’t want to deal with the chaos.
Internet, Internet, Internet: Staying Connected (and Sane)
The free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a game-changer. I also noticed the Internet [LAN], which might be helpful. They definitely have Internet services.
Final Verdict: Is the Scala Worth It?
Look, the Scala Hotel is undoubtedly luxurious. It's beautiful, the staff is generally top-notch, and the amenities are impressive. But it's not perfect. The minor annoyances, the occasional service hiccups, and the price tag make it a splurge.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Yes, but with the caveat that you’re paying a premium for the experience. If you want pure, unadulterated luxury, and you're prepared to pay for it, the Scala Hotel is an excellent choice. Just remember to pack your patience… and a healthy appetite for croissants!
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- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of the Scala Hotel in Buenos Aires: luxury, accessibility, dining, and whether it's worth the splurge. Real-life experiences, pros, cons, and a healthy dose of Argentinian charm.
- Category: Travel, Hotels, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Luxury Hotels, Hotel Reviews
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your meticulously planned, color-coded travel itinerary. This is more like… a fever dream I had after eating too much dulce de leche in Buenos Aires. Prepare for a wild ride at the Scala Hotel.
Buenos Aires: Scala Hotel – A Hot Mess, But in the Best Way (Maybe)
Day 1: Arrival and the "Where's My Luggage?!" Blues
- 10:00 AM (ish): Touchdown at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). The flight was, let's just say, "memorable." Remember those crying babies? Yeah, they were in cahoots. And now? My luggage seems to be vacationing in… well, I have no idea. Maybe it’s sipping Malbec somewhere in Patagonia. Ugh.
- 11:30 AM: Haggling (okay, attempting to haggle) with a taxi driver. Got hustled, I think. But the ride to the Scala? Oh, the city! So much energy, so many beautiful people with way better hair than me. I already kind of love it.
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Scala Hotel. And… well, it's a little… intimate. Smaller than the website photos implied. My room? Cozy. Okay, tiny. But hey, at least the bed looked clean. And the AC, bless its soul, seemed to be working. This is a win!
- 1:30 PM: Panic breakfast – grabbed a media luna (basically, a croissant) and a café con leche from the little café across the street. Fuel is essential under these conditions. Starting to get the city’s vibe: chaotic, charming, and always, always delicious.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Attempt to locate luggage. Failed miserably. Decided to embrace the "lost luggage chic" look. Went shopping for the absolute basics. Ended up buying a ridiculously patterned scarf and a pair of ridiculously bright pants. Regrets? None. This is a new me.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at El Ateneo Grand Splendid (a bookstore in a converted theater). Mind. Blown. Books, history, elegance… and the ability to pretend you’re reading a masterpiece while, in reality, you’re scrolling through Instagram. The world is perfect for a moment!
- 9:00 PM: Wandered around the hotel and the neighborhood a bit. I really dig the old architecture, old-world charm. Trying to get a feel for the place, the people, the food, the nightlife. Maybe. Probably.
Day 2: Tango, Empanadas, and a Near-Death Experience (Kidding… Mostly)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast in the hotel (the included breakfast, to be precise). A weak coffee and a slightly stale piece of toast. Okay, maybe I'll stick to the cafe con leche across the street.
- 10:00 AM: Tried to learn some Spanish phrases. Ended up saying, "Where is the bathroom?" about a dozen times. Progress! Or maybe… I don't know.
- 11:00 AM: Tango Lesson!!! So, uh, I'm about as graceful as a baby giraffe on ice. The instructor, a very patient (and very handsome) Argentine, tried to teach me the basics. We stumbled, we stepped on each other's feet, and I nearly took him out with a rogue "ochos." But the energy, the passion… it was intoxicating! I may never tango like a pro, but I felt alive!
- 1:00 PM: Empanada Time! Found a little hole-in-the-wall place. The empanadas were phenomenal, and the owner was charming, telling me they were always the best in the city. Stuffed myself with beef, and they were heavenly. The kind of food that makes you close your eyes and just… savor.
- 2:30 PM: Walking tour of La Boca, the colorful neighborhood. Tourist trap? Absolutely. but who cares? The colors!! The vibe!! The street performers were fun.
- 4:00 PM: Catastrophe averted: Attempted to navigate the Buenos Aires subway system (the Subte). Got on the wrong train and found myself heading in the opposite direction of… well, everything. Nearly had a panic attack. Thankfully, a kind, elderly woman (probably a future saint) got me back on track. The Subte is truly an adventure.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel to regroup and change clothes.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner and the real Tango. Finding an authentic tango show was on my bucket list for the trip. After a lot of research I thought I finally found one. I was so wrong! It felt overly theatrical, a bit rushed. I wanted to shout, “SLOW DOWN! I want to SEE this!” I left feeling… well, a little disappointed. I think I am going to try to get another show.
- 9:30 PM: Walked around. The lights, the atmosphere… it was an adventure. Stopped at an amazing bakery and grabbed a couple of treats.
Day 3: The Day I Found My Passion (and Slightly Regretted It)
- 9:00 AM: Coffee and media lunas. My routine now. Even if the coffee at the hotel is still weak!
- 10:00 AM: Food Tour! This was it! This was my moment to find Argentina's secrets. Started with the best chorizo in the city. Then moved onto… well, you get the idea. So much meat, so much wine, so many delicious pastries. I was in heaven.
- 1:00 PM: The "Regret" Phase. Perhaps I overdid it on the food tour. Felt like a beached whale. Needed a nap.
- 2:00 PM: Nap was interrupted by the incredibly loud and insistent music from a neighbor across the hall. This is how a hotel gives you a cultural immersion.
- 3:00 PM: Despite the minor setbacks, I did some more shopping. Found a leather jacket so gorgeous, it almost brought tears to my eyes. Almost.
- 6:00 PM: Tried to navigate my way to a local market. Got COMPLETELY lost. Ended up walking through a sketchy alleyway. Thank God I speak English.
- 7:00 PM: Ended up at a random restaurant (I'd been wandering in circles for quite a while). The food? Surprisingly good! The service? Slow. The company? Myself. It was fine.
- 9:00 PM: Back in my little room. Trying to decide if I should go out.
Day 4: The End & Departure… and a Deep Sigh.
- 9:00 AM: One last breakfast. Said goodbye to that sweet little café down the street.
- 10:00 AM: Attempted to get a taxi back to the airport. Finally.
- 11:00 AM: Departure: Sayonara, Buenos Aires! So long, Scala! You were a wild, messy, chaotic, and utterly memorable experience. I will forever cherish the memories… the food coma, the Subte panic… It wasn't perfect. Far from it. But that's what made it… perfect.
Final Thoughts:
Buenos Aires is a city that smacks you in the face with its intensity. It's beautiful, frustrating, delicious, and overwhelming. The Scala Hotel is… well, it's there. A home base in the middle of all of that. Would I recommend it? Maybe. If you're looking for pristine, predictable, and perfectly planned, then absolutely not. But if you're looking for an adventure, a little bit of grit, and a whole lot of heart… then, maybe, just maybe, the Scala Hotel is the place for you. And if you find my luggage, tell it I said hello.
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Scala Hotel: The Hype, The Glamour, and Did I Actually Sleep? A Messy FAQ
So, is the Scala Hotel *really* Buenos Aires' best luxury hotel? Gimme the lowdown, the *real* lowdown.
Okay, picture this: me, jet-lagged to hell and back, stumbling into a lobby that could probably house a small opera. Marble, gold leaf, the works. Now, are they trying to impress you? Absolutely. Is it "the best"? Look, that's subjective, right? But if "best" means: exquisitely polished surfaces, staff who anticipate your every whim (even if they *occasionally* got my scrambled eggs wrong – more on that later), and a view that'll make you weep (if you get the right room), then yeah, the Scala Hotel throws a serious contender into the ring. It's definitely a top-tier experience. But I've also stayed in places where the charm was in the cracks, you know? Scala's charm is, shall we say, *carefully* curated.
The rooms! Spill the tea. Are they worth the astronomical price tag?
Alright, the rooms. Let's be honest, they're gorgeous. My room, a suite (because, hey, I splurged!), was basically a palace. Seriously, a friggin' *palace*. Think massive windows overlooking the city (the *best* part, honestly), a ridiculously comfortable bed that swallowed me whole after a day exploring, and a bathroom bigger than my first apartment. The marble in the bathroom! The heated floors! I almost considered moving in permanently.
But... (and there's always a "but," isn't there?). The price. Ouch. Look, you *are* paying for the experience, for the *idea* of luxury, for the privilege of feeling like royalty (for a few days, anyway). Whether it's "worth it" depends on your budget. If you're debating between the Scala and, say, a vacation home in the Maldives... well, you need to evaluate your priorities! And, on a completely unrelated note, I *still* haven’t figured out how to work all the light switches in that place. It was like trying to solve the Enigma code!
Let's talk service. Were the staff all white-gloved angels or... less so?
Okay, service. This is where the Scala mostly shines. They *want* to please. They anticipate your needs before you even realize you *have* needs. Need a taxi? Boom, it’s there. Forgot your charger? Poof! Someone magically produces one. But it's not *perfect*. Once, I ordered room service (because yes, I'm lazy), and my breakfast arrived with... well, let’s just say the chef had a *creative* interpretation of scrambled eggs. They were, shall we say, closer to a solid yellow brick than anything edible.
But, hey, everyone makes mistakes, right? They were *mortified* and bent over backward to fix it (complimentary bottle of champagne, anyone?). Overall, the staff is impeccable. Polite, professional, and generally very helpful – with a few minor blips, which, let's be real, humanizes the whole experience. It wasn't robotic, which I appreciate.
The food! Was the on-site restaurant as amazing as the online reviews claim?
Oh, the food. The Scala's restaurant is a solid contender for a Michelin star (maybe, *maybe* not, I'm no expert but it's good!). The presentation is art, the flavors are complex, and the wine list? Forget about it. You'll need a second mortgage. I went for dinner one night, a rather boisterous affair with friends, and the steak... oh, the steak! Melt-in-your-mouth, cooked to absolute perfection. And the desserts! I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds just looking at them.
But here's the thing - the ambiance is… *formal*. Think hushed whispers, impeccable tablecloths, and a level of 'refined' that might not be for everyone. I prefer a bit more…vivacity? Less starch? Still, the food itself? Outstanding. Just prepare for a slightly more… reserved dining experience than, say, a casual parrilla. Again, the scrambled egg incident still haunts me.
What about the location? Is it convenient for exploring Buenos Aires?
Location, location, location. The Scala is *ideally* situated. You're within walking distance of some major attractions (the Teatro Colón, for example, which is a must-see). Taxis are plentiful, and the concierge is *brilliant* at organizing excursions. You’re central, safe, and surrounded by other upscale destinations. It's not a bad starting point for exploring.
The Spa and Amenities: Worth it? Did you even *go*?
Okay, confession time. Yes, there's a spa. Yes, it's probably amazing. Did I go? Well… I *intended* to. I fully planned on spending a luxurious afternoon indulging in a massage and a facial.
But… you know how it is? Buenos Aires. The city just… consumes you. I got caught up in exploring, in the tango, in the Malbec. Every day felt like a whirlwind of experiences. And alas, I ran out of time. I will *say* from what I saw, it looked pristine. The thought of being pampered at the end of the day, very appealing, actually.
Any Quirks or Annoyances I Should Know About? The Little Things…
Ah, the little things. The things that make a place truly memorable, for better or worse.
1. **The Elevators:** They are *slow*. Like, painfully slow. Be prepared to factor that into your schedule, especially if you’re on a higher floor. I became quite familiar with the various levels, and the artwork on the walls in the elevator. It's an experience I'll probably never get back.
2. **The Coffee:** Okay, this is a personal preference, but the coffee in the room wasn't the *best* – a little weak for my tastes. But the breakfast coffee? That was good!
3. **The Noise:** While the hotel is generally quiet (in my room at least), being in a city means there are sounds. But the hotel is pretty good at blocking it out.
4. Oh, and this is VERY minor, but the hotel's stationery was *gorgeous*. I'm a sucker for good paper. I may or may not have taken a few extra sheets. (Don't tell them!)
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