Hotel Boca by Design Suites

The stylish Hotel Boca is a soccer-themed hotel, tastefully blending contemporary design and high-end amenities with fan spirit. Navy blue and yellow, the team colors of Argentina’s most popular soccer club, Boca Juniors, are found throughout the property. The building’s avant garde design was dreamed up by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott and is a dazzling display of glass and steel. With its modern structure, the high-rise dominates a block of more traditional buildings. The interior has a sports museum quality with its high ceilings, natural light, and artwork. Memorabilia, paintings, and action shots punctuate the common spaces. The hotel attracts plenty of soccer fans as well as athletes, sports teams, and business travelers.

Hotel Boca is in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, a historic area that dates back to the late 16th-century. There are several metro stations within a three- to five-minute walk from the hotel, connecting travelers to a number of attractions, though several major sites are within walking distance, such as the Casa Rosada (13-minute walk) and the Cabildo (10-minute walk). The area is rich with culture and historic churches, museums, and squares, plus there are several restaurants and cafes nearby, though there's not much nightlife in the area. Other sites can be easily reached via public transportation, such as La Recoleta Cemetery (30 minutes away) and La Boca neighborhood (35 minutes away). Retiro train station is about a half-hour away via public transportation or a 12-minute drive, while Ezeiza International Airport is a half-hour drive from the hotel.

Guests leave behind the hotel's hallways, busy with murals of the Boca Juniors stars, and enter into the far more subdued and spacious guest rooms. Large windows give the rooms ample natural light leaving the spaces bright and airy. Here, the navy and yellow theme is replaced by soft, sophisticated neutrals: clean, white walls; large beds with white bedding and beige knit throws; and honey-hued wood floors, wall panels, and wardrobes. Decor is contemporary and minimalist, with clean lines, geometric shapes, and white lacquered surfaces. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi, while Deluxe and Terrace Suites add Nespresso machines. The all-white bathrooms are spa-quality with whirlpool tub/shower combos and bidets. And Terrace Suites have lovely private terraces with hot tubs.

The wellness amenities are far and away the best features of Hotel Boca. The spa has a spacious relaxation area with loungers and a TV, as well as a hot tub, dry sauna, and therapeutic bath. A comprehensive list of services are offered and range from relaxation treatments to sports therapy. There are individual showers and ample storage in the locker room, and the gym is well-equipped with a range of machines and free weights. There's also a heated indoor pool that's great for swimming laps. The on-site restaurant, La Boca, specializes in Argentinian fare, but the dining room is surprisingly unspectacular. Breakfast is included in rates. There’s also a small, five- to six-person bar top with a decent selection of liquor. The hotel has a Boca Juniors pro-shop, which sells a stylish collection of branded equipment and activewear. Business travelers are catered to with meeting and event space as well as a business center, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout.