First Look at the New Recoleta Grand Hotel in Buenos Aires

There are many points hotels in Buenos Aires, including established hotels such as Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires. However, the latest points hotel to open in the Argentine capital comes from the Marriott Tribute Portfolio.

The hotel will officially open in June 2025 and has 142 rooms and suites. Even though it’s located in one of Buenos Aires’ most elegant neighborhoods, the price per night is relatively cheap for upscale accommodation in the city.

We recently had the opportunity to stop by and here’s what you can expect during your visit to the Recoleta Grand Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Buenos Aires.

first impression

Recoleta Grand is something of a palimpsest, where multiple layers of history coexist. The hotel now features a renovated wing (formerly a hotel not affiliated with Marriott), the historic 1922 Mansion Mihura building, and an elegant new glass tower and atrium with a 13-foot indoor waterfall flanking the main restaurant dining area. Despite being different, these three buildings somehow blend into a unified whole that feels just right.

Guests still enter through the former hotel doors on General Las Heras Boulevard, but depending on your room assignment, you might take a direct ride to a nearby elevator, or stroll through the hotel’s skylight all-day café, past the side of the historic mansion, and through the atrium to another set of elevators (don’t worry, there are connecting corridors between the two buildings on different floors, too).

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Eric Rosen/Point Guard

Guests you might encounter, meanwhile, include international tour groups stopping in between exploring other parts of the country or departing on cruises, business travelers in town to meet colleagues, and the odd solo or couple staying a few nights to experience the city’s culture.

Room

Carefully designed by local interior designer Lucas Gashu, the old and new rooms have a coherent look, with parquet floors reminiscent of luxury apartments in Recoleta, colorful geometric wall splashes giving the spaces some texture and, in some rooms, stage-style paneling that creates the feel of deconstructed four-poster canopy beds that outline the sleeping areas.

Look out for other mid-century modern accents, such as a round wall sconce next to the bed and a Scandinavian-chic table and chairs next to the panoramic windows overlooking the surrounding streets.

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Eric Rosen/Point Guard

Rooms also feature 40-inch flat-screen TVs and work desk and minibar combinations. Conveniences include a coffee machine, kettle and a typical range of snacks and drinks. Be aware of the lack of closet space, though, as the hotel has opted for a popular open-concept version.

My junior suite in the new wing had an open floor plan with the bedroom on one side of the entrance and a small living room on the other with a low chair, a loveseat and nesting table separated by a cabinet with the TV on top.

The new room’s bathroom has black stone tiles and a frosted glass walk-in shower and basin sink, while the old room has gray marble counters, a sunken sink and a walk-in shower. All rooms include locally produced verbena-scented bath and body products.

Although the room is spacious, it feels modern and chic. If you have the choice, request a room in the new tower as the windows are larger and the bathroom feels newer.

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Eric Rosen/Point Guard

meal

The hotel will eventually be home to several dining options, but during our visit, only two were open.

Located in the sunken atrium behind the lobby, the light-filled Cafe de Prensa is a chic hideaway that serves a variety of coffee drinks as well as Argentina’s national drink, mate.

Invite some friends and get cozy at one of the seating vignettes or on the tall marble counter to discuss Buenos Aires’ literary heritage or flip through one of the many vinyl records and art books displayed on the dramatic lattice bookshelves.

The main restaurant, Atrium, is at the heart of the hotel, housed in a towering… well, atrium, so it’s bathed in natural light throughout the day, and thanks to an abundance of plants (and a soon-to-be-growing living wall) and a stunning indoor waterfall – not to mention a giant birdcage-style chandelier – the space feels like a secret garden in the heart of the bustling city.

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Eric Rosen/Point Guard

Here, Buenos Aires-born chef Maximiliano Matsumoto (whose credentials include other Buenos Aires icons such as Casa Cruz and Faena) offers tasting and à la carte seasonal menus that fuse the rich produce and proteins of South America, prepared with international flavors and classic techniques.

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Eric Rosen/Point Guard

Marinated Patagonian trout with herbed Bavarian and fennel ($13) was tasty and fresh, and asparagus in a vinaigrette with charred lemon, creamed peas, mint and bajra sauce ($10). I also spotted a neighboring table enjoying a giant Angus rib-eye steak with chimichurri sauce ($28), which looked incredible.

The hotel’s cocktail menu, created by award-winning mixologist Ignacio Maggio, includes a long list of classic cocktails, as well as some more creative options.

The atrium is also where breakfast is served ($7 per person), which offers a generous buffet with options like eggs cooked to order and a variety of omelets.

The hotel will eventually open Rayuela, a trendy restaurant and cocktail lounge within the Mihura Mansion. We only got a glimpse of the unfinished spaces, but they’re already stunning, complete with art deco furniture, dramatic chandeliers, and a sculptural bar.

Facilities and services

• The hotel will soon have a fully equipped fitness center.
• It will also house the small Floralis Spa, offering a range of treatments including massages and facials.
• There is a seasonal plunge pool on the roof which should be popular in the summer.
• There are multiple event spaces in both the historic mansion and the new wing.

Location and logistics

The Recoleta Grand Hotel is located in one of the city’s most central and exclusive neighbourhoods. Ubers and taxis are plentiful and cheap, so getting to major tourist attractions like Casa Rosada and the MALBA Museum is quick and cheap. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the famous Recoleta Cemetery where Evita is buried. An Uber ride to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) takes approximately 45-90 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs $30-$50.

What’s the fare

In the coming months, rates at the Recoleta Grand will start at $248 per night, or 41,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

To make the most of your stay, consider the following Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards:

They all receive generous welcome benefits, automatic elite status and higher income levels at Marriott.

Alternatively, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points earned through a card, e.g. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See Rates & Fees) Pay directly to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio so you can easily earn award nights.

Accessibility

Recoleta Grand’s street entrance and public areas are wheelchair accessible, including an atrium with a wheelchair lift. Both the guest floors and the swimming pool are accessible by elevator and ramp.

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Eric Rosen/Point Guard

The hotel has four ADA-compliant rooms, two in the old building and two in the new tower, so be sure to call the hotel directly to confirm that you can reserve a room that meets your specific requirements.

bottom line

Recoleta Grand, Buenos Aires, a Tribute Collection Hotel is another exciting addition to the Buenos Aires hotel scene. The hotel’s location in Recoleta provides easy access to many of the city’s top attractions, and its reasonable nightly rates (both paid and points) should make it a top choice for international travelers. Even more so once its bars and restaurants are fully operational.

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