Loi Suites Esmeralda

Housed in a plain, older building between Retiro and Microcentro neighborhoods, Loi Suites Esmeralda offers simple, affordable apartment-style accommodation within easy walking distance of both business and leisure areas in central Buenos Aires. The property is slowly renovating common areas and rooms, and currently features a mix of old and new that makes the experience vary between guests. The lobby has a cozy, warm feel, with wooden floors, plush couches arranged in living room-style clusters with bookshelves and coffee tables, and a spacious area with long tables that can be used for casual meetings, lounging, and to accommodate additional guests when the adjacent breakfast room gets busy in the morning. On-site amenities are limited -- there’s only a breakfast room, a small business center with a single computer, and underground parking -- but the hotel’s central location, competitive rates, and convenient kitchen facilities in rooms add value, making it a popular pick among business travelers, couples, and families on a budget. Travelers seeking something more upscale in this area may want to compare rates at the Melia Buenos Aires Hotel, which offers an indoor pool, a gym, several dining options, and comfortable rooms. Lafayette Hotel in Microcentro is an overall better option for about the same price as the Loi Suites Esmeralda, while Babel Suites is more modern and offers lower rates and a good location in San Telmo. 

Loi Suites Esmeralda is located on a pleasant street in the downtown neighborhood of Retiro, near the railway station and close to businesses and government agencies. Retiro is directly north of (and within walking distance of) Microcentro, the city's financial and cultural heart. It offers easy walking access to great shopping -- including famous malls such as Galerias Pacifico and Patio Bullrich -- the subway, and major attractions such as Avenida 9 de Julio, Plaza San Martin, Teatro Colon, and the Obelisk, all of which are within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. Other tourist sights located a little bit farther away, including Puerto Madero, Casa Rosada, and San Telmo can be reached by car within 15 minutes. Jorge Newbery Airport is just a 20-minute drive away, while Ezeiza International Airport can be reached in about 45 minutes by car.

The hotel offers 109 apartments, ranging from compact studios with two twins or one queen bed to spacious two-bedroom suites featuring full kitchens and comfortable living areas. Decor is simple and generic throughout, with a plain neutral palette, basic dark-wood furniture with clean lines, and white walls hung with just one small painting. The hotel is slowly renovating its rooms, and while some are in great shape and feature contemporary touches such as laminate floors and more modern furniture, others are starting to show their age, with stained carpets, older kitchens, and worn furniture. Most units have basic kitchen facilities, including microwaves, mini-fridges, and electric kettles, and a handful of two-bedroom suites have fully stocked kitchens with stovetops. Additionally, all units are outfitted with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges come stocked with water, sodas, juice, beer, and a couple of small bottles of wine (all for a fee). Bathrooms are straightforward but clean, and feature spacious shower/tub combos, plenty of counter space, an array of toiletries, and hairdryers. Light sleepers may want to request a room on a higher floor, as units located above a neighborhood bar can get noise into the evening. 

The hotel is overall light on amenities but it does offer a couple of good perks. A basic continental breakfast is served every morning in a pleasant room free of charge. Guests have reported a lack of variety, but with juice, hot drinks, pastries, and breads, it is generally enough to get the day started. Eggs and other extras are available for a fee. On-site underground parking (for a fee) is another highlight and a rarity for a mid-range hotel located in central Buenos Aires. There are limited spots, and reservations are encouraged. The hotel also features a small meeting room that guests can rent for a fee, plus a small business center with a single computer and a printer. Guests are offered free access to the gym, the heated indoor pool, and the sauna available at sister property Loi Suites Recoleta, but the hotel is located a 25-minute walk (or 10-minute drive) away, which means that few guests actually take advantage of this perk.