Sileo Hotel

From the exterior, the contemporary look of the Sileo Hotel blends with the surrounding residences. In the small lobby, a brass sputnik chandelier hangs over a stairwell that descends into the lending library, small screening room, and art gallery below. This space is also visible through oval-shaped portals in the floor that are covered by thick glass and carved at random intervals throughout the lobby and lounge area. Strangely, there's a sculpture of a cupcake with legs placed next to the smoked glass reception desk. The adjoining room houses the bar and dining area where breakfast is served. There are charming elements throughout such as fret-patterned pedestal tables with midcentury modern chairs -- but the neutral brown palette makes it feel tired. Similarly, the lounge mixes modern barstools with bronze-hued image transfers applied to the bar and wall. The most appealing common space is the rooftop sundeck, with its spectacular views of Recoleta. But the space is narrow and has only metal tables and stack chairs with no cushions. There are a couple of loungers by the pool, but it's not an atmosphere that invites a long rest. For all its amenities, the Sileo Hotel is a bargain that attracts mostly couples and solo travelers who cite the views and location as the top draw. 

The Sileo Hotel has a convenient location in Recoleta. Though it's a 20-minute drive to the city center, the nearby streets offer bars, nightlife, and a shopping mall with a movie theater that's a four-minute walk around the corner. Random exploration will yield many worthwhile discoveries, but for the tourist attraction-seeker, this hotel is directly across the street from one of Buenos Aires's major attractions: the Recoleta Cemetery. Also nearby is the Grand Splendid Bookstore -- housed in a former theater that could seat 1050 spectators -- just 16 minutes away on foot. The National Museum of Fine Art is a 12-minute walk from the hotel. And for guests traveling farther out, the train station is a four-minute walk away. From there it's possible to reach the Teatro Colon in 20 minutes. By car it's a 15-minute ride to the airport.

The rooms at the Sileo Hotel feature contemporary finishings like dark wood accents, tufted headboards, and floor-to-ceiling sliding windows, largely done in a brown palette, with occasional damask-pattern walls or splashes of secondary color. In addition to the sleeping area and balcony, the rooms have kitchenettes with two-burner cooktops, microwaves, and sinks, as well as small dining tables. The tables and mirrors in various rooms feature elegant touches like key-fret patterning. Each floor has rooms facing the street, with views of Recoleta Cemetery, as well as rooms facing the back of the hotel for neighborhood views. Upgraded rooms are slightly larger and tend to be more stylish, though some guests have reported that in the larger, front-facing rooms it’s possible to hear neighboring guests. All rooms have safes, minibars, and mini-fridges. The bathrooms are updated throughout the property, with rainfall shower heads (although the only tub is the whirlpool in the Penthouse Suite), hairdryers, tiled floors, marble sink tables, and clock radios with iPod chargers. 

The top feature of the Sileo Hotel is its location, and the rooftop deck, spa, and heated outdoor pool take full advantage of the view. Even the small fitness center has views of Recoleta Cemetery. But hotel guests are more likely to spend time on their own balconies than in the small common areas, and that includes the art gallery/screening room and library on the lower level. This doesn't negate the fact that the hotel has loads of features, including a free buffet breakfast with hot and cold items (a less common find in Buenos Aires), 24-hour room service, a business center, events rooms, two bars, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Parking, in-room massage, food delivery, and tourist outings can all be arranged by the front desk for a fee -- a real boon for guests who don't speak Spanish. With all these perks and this location, the Sileo Hotel offers a great value.