Hotéis em San Cristóbal, Buenos Aires

Prós: The communication with Posada Gotan accommodation was great, fast and very helpful. Thibaud got in contact with me straight away and provided me with all the information I needed. I was able to arrange a late check in as my flight arrived late evening in Buenos Aires and Karolina received me with open arms and I felt very welcomed straight away. The breakfast in the morning was lovely, and Thibaud offered help with anything I needed as well as tips about getting around in Buenos Aires. My stay was only very short but if I come back to Buenos Aires I most definitely will come back to Posada Gotan and stay for a longer period. Small little home away from home, I loved it!

Prós: The staff were nice enough, breakfast a standard Argentinian one, and the rooms were simple, but pleasant and clean. The Venezuelan lady serving breakfast and doing the night shift speaks a bit of English and is friendly. However this did not make up for the two major drawbacks - the area, and the mosquitoes.

Contras: The area felt completely void of anything you seek out as a traveller, hardly any (even basic) shops or restaurants. I felt the place was explained as a pleasant neighbourhood with local places to eat etc, but it felt quite unsafe, deserted at night and even in daytime there were very few people moving about, which is not a good thing in BA. As an example the only visible business on the same block is a car mechanic shop. Not a single restaurants so you end up spending a lot of time in Ubers or taxis going to and from San Telmo/Recoleta or similar for eating and anything to do really. We were also hoping for a bit more of an atmospheric Posada than it was. The table and chairs that you see in the pictures in the courtyard is not there, there were a few slightly drab chairs and tables inside, but it didn't feel inviting to be spending any more time than we had to there. The other major drawback was the mosquitoes. We stayed in the quadruple room with our two children and despite mosquito spray, the plug in repellent that was provided by the hostel, and us killing mosquitoes before going to bed, our children were completely eaten in the morning, I'm talking dozens of bites. No AC remote was given upon checkin and when asked we had to wait for hours for it. They have a significant mosquito problem here, mosquitoes that seem to come in through the bathroom ventilation and with high ceilings were impossible to get to. When we checked in there were plenty of smashed mozzies over every wall so it was evident this has been a problems to previous guests. It had rained a fair bit before arriving, but with an infestation efter rain there should be nets above the beds, or proper fumigation. As a result we decided to leave one day early and find another place to stay. We did actually ask if we could have the last night refunded due to the situation, but the owner replied that he was unable to grant a refund.

Prós: This small hotel is run by the descendants of the people who built the original home. It is a welcoming oasis of calm in an otherwise busy and vibrant city and is proof that brass, glass and marble are not what makes any hotel great. What is more important is personal care and attention and the wonderful people of Posada Gotan have this in abundance. I was welcomed as a guest, and farewelled as a friend.