Hotel del Casco
San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Refined elegance in this beautifully restored colonial residence in Buenos Aires' upmarket suburb, San Isidro
Built in 1892 as a rather grand summer house, Hotel del Casco still
offers all the pleasures of staying in the country. The relaxed
atmosphere and the elegant building’s original features sit
well within a calming minimalist décor. This is a peaceful
location, in the picturesque historic quarter of smart San Isidro,
with its long waterfront and marina; the ideal place to return to
after the city's frantic pace.
From the leafy cobbled street, wrought-iron gates glide open to
reveal a grand classical colonnade. Inside is a stunning,
light-filled central patio, with an original mosaic floor and a
high ceiling of stained glass supported on slender Ionic columns.
After your excellent
breakfast,
lounge here elegantly on white sofas among ferns, take tea, and
plan your day. Ten of the rooms open onto this central
area, with 2 more upstairs: all are high-ceilinged and grandly
proportioned, with charming bathrooms. Across the gardens at the
back of the main house, 8 spacious suites are similarly
decorated, with views onto the pool. A charming, very civilized
alternative to downtown Buenos Aires.
Reviewed by Christabelle Dilks
Last updated 28 February 2012
Highs
- The beautifully restored colonial house gives a rare flavour of life in Argentina's heyday
- This is elegant luxury, 1900s style: polished wooden floors, roll-top baths, antiques, fine paintings and gorgeous bed linen
- Quiet, historic San Isidro has plenty of shops and restaurants, and a pretty waterfront with a marina for sailing and windsurfing. Racecourses and golf courses are nearby
- You'll get personalised service from the friendly bilingual staff
- Easy access to Buenos Aires' favourite weekend resort of Tigre, which offers fabulous boat rides through jungly rivers
Lows
- If you really want a city hotel, you'll find San Isidro just a little too far (30 minutes) from the centre of town to make more than one trip a day. Shop in town and return for dinner, or spend the day sailing here and head into town for the nightlife
- No restaurant, though breakfast is included and a nearby eatery can deliver meals to your room
- Some noise from the cobbled street at the front of the hotel
- Rooms opening onto the central area lack privacy, and you may hear sounds from the lobby
