Claridge Hotel

Opened in 1946, Claridge Hotel offers guests an English ambience. It's housed in a gorgeous brick building with a lower-level colonnade and has hosted its share of famous guests, including the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Martina Navratilova. The impressive lobby has high ceilings, glossy marble floors with circular designs, wood-paneled walls, and wooden front desks with marble trim. Though the lobby is grand, it offers only a few benches to sit on, and guests complain about a short-staffed front desk  From the lobby, guests can peek into the hotel’s bar, styled as a cozy gentleman’s pub with contemporary leather chairs, stained-glass windows, and a large wooden bar. The carpeting is a bit worn, and the bar stools show wear and tear. The restaurant is elegant, with black-and-white checkered floors, mauve leather chairs and wooden tables, and iron chandeliers. Modern, ethnic-style artwork hanging on the wood-paneled strays a bit from old England. The hotel, given its central location and proximity to the Financial District, draws tourists and business travelers.

The hotel is conveniently located near several sights in an area that teems with shops, restaurants, and bars. The popular Florida pedestrian area is around the corner, and Teatro Colon is about a 10-minute walk. Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The closest metro stop is a five-minute walk away, and there’s a bus stop outside the hotel’s front doors, allowing easy access to such sights as Recoleta Cemetery. It’s a 35-minute drive to Ezeiza International Airport. 

The Claridge's 152 rooms are a mix of classic and Victorian decor. The hotel began renovating rooms in 2015, and renovations were to be completed at the end of that year. Past guests complained about cleaniness and maintenance problems, and dated furniture and bedding. The rooms differ in decor but generally include antique dark-wood furniture, carpeting, heavy drapes, and elegant paintings and artwork. Some rooms are larger than others, but all include flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. There’s no coffee- and tea-making facilities, and air-conditioning is central, so guests are unable to adjust it. Bathrooms feature lovely sinks -- some made of marble -- shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Executive Suites and Windsor Suites have jetted tubs. The Windsor Suite has a terrace. Be aware that the hotel has non-smoking floors and smoking floors, so book accordingly. 

The Claridge Hotel has a variety of amenities that were once upscale, but are now beginning to fade. There's an outdoor seasonal swimming pool, a spacious gym with a variety of cardio and weight equipment, plus free weights. The hotel’s restaurant, open during the week, serves a breakfast buffet that is included in some rates. The bar is cozy and offers drinks throughout the day, as well as afternoon tea. There are also three fully equipped meeting rooms (with dated decor) and a business center with public computers, though they’re box-type desktops. There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout and nearby paid parking.