Esplendor Palermo Soho

The beautiful, tree-lined streets of Palermo draw locals each weekend in search of green spaces and gourmet food, and the Esplendor Palermo blends into this stylish neighborhood beautifully. The contemporary glass-and-concrete exterior affords natural lighting throughout the building, and offers arbor views. Drum lamp shades and tile flooring made to look like old stone adorn the large reception area and the lounge/restaurant that comprise the first floor. Colorful, contemporary sofas and hassocks in the lounge give a boisterous look, while the plain wooden tables and chairs in the dining room are a bit more somber. The ample use of spot lighting and dark wood colors add a certain urban chic, although it could make the rooms and common spaces feel dark to some guests. Guests in search of more light can take breakfast and drinks on the rooftop deck, where the minimalist deck seating, slat tables, and chairs ensure the city panorama is the main attraction. The hotel draws mostly couples and tourists, who rave about the location but note wear and tear is starting to show around the property.

The Esplendor's location is convenient for guests looking to stay outside the city, and offers up all the amenities of a well-heeled neighborhood, such as trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants. Palermo has nearly 350 acres of parks, wooded areas, and lakes, many of which were designed by the French landscape architect turned Argentinian resident, Charles Thays. Not that it's all peace and quiet -- the bohemian hub of Palermo Soho is Plaza Serrano, just nine minutes away from the hotel on foot. Five minutes from Esplendor Palermo Soho's front door, it's possible to head southwest on Thames street and hit three art galleries on foot. Head in the opposite direction on Thames, and the performing arts center, Teatro Sarmiento, is just 11 minutes away, and right next door is a botanical garden and a zoo. From the Plaza Italia metro station just eight minutes away on foot, it's possible to reach city center attractions like the Teatro Colon in 14 minutes. The Jorge Newberry International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Cabs are also plentiful in this area.

Each room has its own unique design at the Esplendor Palermo Soho, with different colored accent walls, original works of art, and modern furnishings. Unfortunately, many of these items are starting to show signs of wear and tear. As the hotel was formerly an apartment building, the 334-square foot standard rooms all include separate living and sleeping spaces, with pedestal tables, minimalist nightstands with lamps, and small closets, but there's no chest of drawers. Upgrades bring additional square footage and small sofas, and the VIP Suite has two floors and a sleeper sofa, but otherwise the rooms offer the same amenities -- safes, minibars, flat-screen cable TVs, free Wi-Fi, pillow-top mattresses, and balconies. The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors combined with the tree-lined streets give each room a leafy backdrop, but this also blocks the natural light, and some guests have reported that the rooms feel dark. Bathrooms come with bidets and otherwise feature tired shower/tub combos with basic soaps and shampoos, as well as hairdryers. But another complaint is the towels feel rough.

The stylish first floor, complemented by a jazz soundtrack, makes an inviting atmosphere for the free buffet breakfast or evening drinks by the small bar. The rooftop terrace gives a panoramic view of Palermo, but it's only open during Argentina's summer months. There's no full-service restaurant here, no parking, and no pool or fitness facilities. A single public computer serves as the business facility. Other features include a tour desk, airport shuttle service (for a fee), currency exchange, luggage storage, laundry, and fax and photocopying. The hotel's concierge can also book in-room massages. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, though some guests have reported it to be slow.