Miravida Soho Hotel & Wine Bar

Honeymooners are not infrequent guests at the Miravida Soho, whose throbbing, red paint color and lush plantings evince a sexy, romantic vibe. The guests are predominantly an international tourist crowd who want to experience the intimacy of a tiny hotel that puts Argentinian wines in the spotlight. The 1920s neoclassical facade fronts onto a cobblestone street with large plane trees, and old and new architecture with a touch of graffiti here and there. Inside, there's a glossy wood reception desk whose surface and chair are deeply scratched, across from a chest of drawers and an arched window to the street framed by dark-maroon curtains. There's a lounge in an adjacent niche with a mirrored wall and low black-velvet table surrounded by a cluster of teal velvet chairs and a clean-lined gray sofa. A corridor leads to another red-walled room, this one a breakfast and drinks bar with all manner of wine equipment, and banquette seating with wooden tables and black-and-silver chairs. The Spanish tile courtyard, just outside, has tables and chairs set amidst pots of flowers, leafy shrubs, and a wood-burning fireplace. There's also a brick-walled cellar for wine tastings with arched niches and a long, narrow table and chairs where guests can sit, sip, and savor. 

The Miravida sits on a quiet street facing a square, Plaza William Morris, at the intersection of Uriarte and Soler streets. There are clubs, bars, restaurants, shops of independent designers, and art galleries in the neighborhood. The metro (locally known as the Subte) can be caught at the Plaza Italia metro stop, a 10-minute walk away. Two interesting streets for soaking up the vibe, Plaza Armenia and Plaza Serrano, can also be reached in a 10-minute stroll. La Rural convention center, and the botanical garden are within a 15-minute walk. The Biblioteca Nacional de la Republica of Argentina, the Museo Nacional de Belles Artes, and beautiful Parque Tres de Febrero -- also known as the Bosques de Palermo -- are all around a 10-minute drive or 30- to 35-minute train ride. For nightlife, guests can try the late-late night scene at Crobar, around a 10-minute drive or 26-minute train ride away. To reach the Jorge Newbery Airport, it's a 26-minute train ride or 15-minute drive. The Ezeiza International Airport is a 36-minute drive without traffic. 

All rooms at the Miravida Soho are air-conditioned and have outdoor space, whether a modestly sized balcony or a roomy terrace, lending the boutique property a richness despite some furniture needing refurbishment. Aside from the enormous tufted headboards, decor is spare and cool: cream-colored pinch-pleat draperies, ebonized wood floors, and unassuming wood side tables and desks. Four rooms overlook the courtyard; two top-floor Lofts have 12-foot, cathedral ceilings; and Courtyard Loft 6 has a bathroom skylight plus rooftop views. The Terrace Loft, in shades of brown, white, and gray has arched French doors to a large private terrace with Spanish tile that overlooks the treetops and the plaza in front of the hotel. The Suite has two rooms that overlook the plaza with a king-size bed and a sofa-bed. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. The relatively spacious bathrooms feature big pedestal or square porcelain sinks set into fog-gray marble, along with wall-mounted hotel toiletries, large block tiles in putty or cream, and walk-in showers with glass doors. There are no tubs.

From the glass of wine and house-made empanada upon arrival to the advice for which route to take to the airport, the owner and staff of this small hotel are engaged with their guests. Travelers mention the staff will book tango classes or help to reschedule flights. A comfortable lounge, the wine bar and wine cellar -- with a sommelier -- plus the charming terrace make it likely that guests will linger before heading out or after returning from the funky, lively neighborhood. There are wine tastings at the hotel, as well as wine and cocktail happy hours. Free, cooked-to-order breakfast is served in the room that doubles as a bar, adjacent to the courtyard. The building has stairs but also an elevator, an unusual feature for a small, former home.