Review: Apart San Diego Recoleta, Buenos Aires

When I was planning to visit South America, I kept seeing a reference to “aparthotels” for my Buenos Aires stay.

For any trip longer than a few days, I prefer to have a kitchen and a Buenos Aires Aparthotel provides exactly that. It’s what we might call a ‘suite hotel’ elsewhere.

There are, however, a few differences, and that’s mostly down to cost. The aparthotel that I selected, Apart San Diego Recoleta, is incredibly cheap by US or European standards.

So where’s the catch? What’s the compromise? I spent 3 weeks in my aparthotel in Buenos Aires and the experience had me questioning cost vs quality. Read on to find out why!

What is an Aparthotel in Buenos Aires?

Aparthotels, also known as apartment hotels or serviced apartments, are a hybrid kind of accommodation that combines a hotel room with a small apartment. If you’re looking for an aparthotel in Buenos Aires, expect a moderately equipped kitchen, a table and living area and a separate bed. This kind of spot is perfect if you like to cook some of your own meals and like a bit more space.

Why Choose an Aparthotel in Buenos Aires?

When I’m staying somewhere longer term, I always choose this kind of ‘aparthotel’ if it’s within budget.

Comfort and Space

Aparthotels have much more space than a standard hotel room. They’re perfect for families, but even though I travel solo most of the time, I like having that bit of comfort too.

Convenience and Flexibility – Dietary Restrictions

Having a kitchen lets me prepare my own meals. I like to work early in the morning, so if I can grab a coffee and prepare some porridge (I’m way too exciting, I know), it’s better than gorging on a breakfast buffet every day. I have some minor dietary restrictions, so this option lets me keep those under control.

Prime Locations

You might expect aparthotels (especially cheaper ones) to be out in the sticks. But a lot of aparthotels in Buenos Aires are situated in desirable “tourist-friendly” neighbourhoods like Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo. That makes them perfect bases for exploring BA.

Popular Aparthotel Options in Buenos Aires

Get prices: Palermo Suites Buenos Aires Apartments

Located in the trendy Palermo district, the apartments feel quite modern, comes with decent free Wi-Fi, and is very close to the attractions you’ll want to see, including these lunch spots.

Get prices: Córdoba Suites Recoleta

The aparthotel I review below was in Recoleta, like this one. These are on the budget end of studio apartments, but they are well equipped and close to everything like El Ateneo Bookshop (one of my favourite places to go in Buenos Aires).

Get prices: Loft Argentino Apart Buenos Aires

This aparthotel is located in a charming late 19th-century building, situated in Monserrat. You’ll get a little Argentine historical charm and the usual hotel amenities.

My Review of Apart Hotel San Diego Recoleta

Apart Hotel San Diego, located in the heart of Recoleta, was a bit of a mixed experience. While the space and price were pros, there were too many drawbacks. Here’s my review based on my stay.

Pros

• Space and Price: The accommodation was spacious and very affordable, costing around $38 USD per night. The apartment included a dining table with settings for four, and the space overall was generous for the price.

• Kitchenette: The kitchenette came with a reasonably-sized fridge, a microwave, a kettle, and plenty of cutlery. Although there was no drying area for dishes, there was enough space to make up a simple meal.

Cons

• Noise Levels: The biggest drawback was the noise. I had requested a quieter room, but got one right at the front of the hotel. The noise from the street made it difficult to sleep. Despite many gentle attempts (given I was there for 3 weeks), the front desk had no interest in helping me switch rooms.

• Furniture and Cleanliness: The sofa was like a plastic bag full of coat hangers. The space felt worn around the edges, and the overall cleanliness could have been much better.

Final Thoughts

While Apart Hotel San Diego is spacious and the budget price is great, the noise and questionable cleanliness are significant drawbacks. I appreciate they can do little about street noise.

Would I stay again? For a couple of nights, maybe, but I’d pick one of the other aparthotels I mention above for a longer stay. I think any accommodation rises or falls on the willingness of the front desk to take concerns into account – the indifferent service at Apart San Diego – even at this budget price point – is a deal breaker.

Book: Apart San Diego Recoleta here

Conclusion

Aparthotels in Buenos Aires can be a great option if you like to be able to cook or enjoy a bit more space than an average hotel room. Because quality can be a mixed bag, choose wisely! Read those reviews and assess if the location and value will give you the kind of great experience that Buenos Aires can offer.