Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta — Hotel in Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

I stayed at Sofitel Buenos Aires Recoleta recently and would like to share a detailed review — because this property has potential, charm and some true 5-star elements… but also some major flaws that are hard to ignore at this price point.||Let’s start with the positives:|🛏 Sleep quality is outstanding. The bed, mattress, pillows, and duvet are all premium Sofitel-grade, and the room is completely quiet — excellent soundproofing. The heating works perfectly and silently (crucial during the Buenos Aires winter), and I had one of the best sleeps in months.|🌹 There are fresh roses everywhere. Real flowers on tables, reception desks — this detail adds unexpected elegance and warmth to the space.|🍰 The in-house patisserie (La Pâtisserie Recoleta) is absolutely lovely and serves some of the best raspberry tarts I’ve had in the city.|🧼 There is a proper Turn Down Service, with evening tea, bottled water, and chocolates placed in the room — a rare touch that makes you feel taken care of.||Now to the downsides — and unfortunately, there are several, especially given that I paid USD 360 for a base room with breakfast:| 1. No pool access — with zero notice on the official site. The pool has been closed for renovations since March 2025 and will remain so for over a year — but there was no mention of this on the official Sofitel website or in the Accor app. That’s unacceptable for such a key facility. I deliberately avoided third-party sites and trusted official channels — and felt misled.| 2. The sauna operates only until 3 PM, despite being located in a 24-hour gym. During winter, this makes no sense. After a day in the city, you’d like to relax and warm up — but the sauna is closed when you need it most. No explanation given.| 3. No Smart TV or Netflix. In 2025, this is almost surreal — the TV has a Netflix button but offers only basic cable channels with commercials. This isn’t what I expect from a premium international brand.| 4. The breakfast is very underwhelming. For a French luxury brand, I expected at least some elegant elements — but what I got was a very standard, almost budget 4-star offering:| • No fish at all. Not even a slice of trout or salmon — despite Patagonia trout being common and affordable in Argentina.| • Fruit selection is basic and uninspired: banana, sliced orange, apple, a few grapes pulled off the vine. No watermelon, no melon, no berries — despite the patisserie offering raspberry desserts downstairs.| • Nothing aesthetic or refined in the presentation.| • And no touch of indulgence — no sparkling wine, no fresh juices beyond the basics.| • The only highlight was the Egg Station, where omelettes were freshly prepared.||Honestly, just a day before, I stayed at a 4-star hotel that cost a fraction of the Sofitel rate — and even they had sweet watermelon, cantaloupe, better fruit selection, and overall more thought-out breakfast options.||⸻||In summary:|Sofitel Recoleta has a beautiful shell, excellent sleep comfort, and a few delightful gestures. But several core service issues and a serious lack of transparency make it hard to justify the high rate. With just a bit more effort and attention to guest experience, this could easily become one of the top hotels in the city. But right now — it’s...

I travel a lot and stay in many high-end hotels. Few treat you the way Sofitel Recoleta does. The rooms are comfortable and spotless, the public spaces are elegant, and yes, the room decor is a little dated. None of that matters once you meet the team. They turn a very good hotel into a great one.||Two people deserve a special mention. First, Gisela Capparelli, Guest Relations, she gets things done like a Nespresso machine with pods and fresh water ready for every espresso: smooth, precise, and unfailingly reliable. A true operator who ensures guests are looked after at every moment. Second, the concierge desk, where you will find not one but two Les Clefs d’Or professionals who can open any door in this city. Gisela Almeida secured me a prime-time table at Don Julio Parrilla, currently ranked number one on the 101 Best Steak Restaurants list. When I returned from dinner, there was a bottle of wine and handmade chocolates waiting in my room with a handwritten note hoping I had enjoyed the meal. The next morning, Martín Rey, a member of Les Clefs d’Or International, personally checked in to make sure everything was perfect. That is hospitality.||Location is ideal for Recoleta and Retiro, steps from Patio Bullrich and Alvear Avenue, with easy access to museums and the city’s best restaurants. Housekeeping is meticulous, the gym and pool are well kept, and staff greet you by name.||If you value people and service over brand-new furniture, this place is an easy five star. The team at Sofitel Recoleta, led by pros like Gisela Capparelli, Gisela Almeida, and Martín Rey, makes you feel like a VIP from arrival to checkout. I would come back for the staff...

I travel a lot and stay in many high end hotels. Few treat you the way Sofitel Recoleta does. The rooms are comfortable and spotless, the public spaces are elegant, and yes, the room decor is a little dated. None of that matters once you meet the team. They turn a very good hotel into a great one.

Two people deserve a special mention. First, Gisela Capparelli, Guest Relations, she gets things done like a Nespresso machine with pods and fresh water ready for every espresso: smooth, precise, and unfailingly reliable. A true operator who ensures guests are looked after at every moment. Second, the concierge desk, where you will find not one but two Les Clefs d’Or professionals who can open any door in this city. Gisela Almeida secured me a prime time table at Don Julio Parrilla, currently ranked number one on the 101 Best Steak Restaurants list. When I returned from dinner, there was a bottle of wine and handmade chocolates waiting in my room with a handwritten note hoping I had enjoyed the meal. The next morning, Martín Rey, a member of Les Clefs d’Or International, personally checked in to make sure everything was perfect. That is hospitality.

Location is ideal for Recoleta and Retiro, steps from Patio Bullrich and Alvear Avenue, with easy access to museums and the city’s best restaurants. Housekeeping is meticulous, the gym and pool are well kept, and staff greet you by name.

If you value people and service over brand new furniture, this place is an easy five star. The team at Sofitel Recoleta, led by pros like Gisela Capparelli, Gisela Almeida, and Martín Rey, makes you feel like a VIP from arrival to checkout. I would come back for the staff...