Location in Recoleta, the city’s most upscale neighborhood
Elegant rooms with balconies and luxurious bathrooms
Housed in a historic French-style building
Charming Old World-style bar
and restaurant
A la carte breakfast included in room rates
Business center and event room holding up to 200 people
Free
Wi-Fi throughout
Mini-fridges only in upper category rooms
No coffeemakers in rooms --
but available on request
No
pool, fitness center, or spa
Dating back to 1866, Hotel
Club Frances is an important cultural landmark, as it was once the site of the city’s French Club. Today, this elegant French-style
building serves as a luxury hotel with 28 rooms, and much of its historic charm has been preserved. Located on a quiet street in Buenos Aires’ classy
Recoleta district, there are many cultural and historical sights within easy
walking distance. Amenities include a charming restaurant and free a la carte breakfast, but there's no spa or fitness center. The singular historic ambiance here is hard to match, but the Savoy Hotel offers an similar level of ornate period detail, albeit in the less desirable Congreso neighborhood.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
An exclusive property full of Old World ambience
The Hotel Club Frances is popular with leisure travelers interested in exploring the cultural and historical district of Recoleta, although it does get some business travelers, too. Located on a quiet street lined
with residential buildings, the hotel stands out with its elegant
French-style facade, large arched doorways, and beautiful wrought-iron doors.
The reception area is dominated by a large ornate wooden desk with carved legs
and a marble countertop, while a bright-red accent wall behind the desk adds a
splash of color, as do the bold sofas decked out in bright red, purple, and
yellow. The carved antique furniture, oil paintings and sculptures, and marble
staircase with intricate wrought-iron railings are a nod to the hotel's past incarnation as the city's French Club. During its heyday it served as a meeting place for the city’s intelligentsia, and many famous writers have passed through its doors, including Antoine de Saint Exupery, Andre Malraux, Jorge Luis Borges, and Octavio Paz.
Location
Prestigious location in the upmarket neighborhood of Recoleta
Hotel Club Frances is located in Recoleta -- Buenos Aires’ most affluent neighborhood -- northeast of the city center. The area has many historical,
cultural, and architectural sights of interest to explore, and a number of
local cafes, bars, and restaurants to choose from. A notable local landmark is
the Recoleta cemetery, a short eight-minute walk from the hotel, and the adjacent Centro Cultural Recoleta, a prominent art gallery. Another
important gallery -- the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (MNBA) -- is an 11-minute walk
from here. Avenue del Libertador, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, is only
a five-minute walk away, as is the Patio Bullrich shopping center. A taxi ride to
Jorge Newberry International Airport takes 15 minutes from the hotel, while
Ministro Pistarini International Airport is farther outside the city and takes closer to 45 minutes.
Rooms
Spacious and elegant guest rooms with luxurious marble bathrooms
The guest rooms at Hotel Club Frances are
spacious and luxurious, with hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows,
balconies, and stylish decor in two distinct styles. Those decked out in a
classic style are elegant but not overdone, featuring Belle Epoque-style
furniture, richly patterned wallpaper, and upholstery in soft shades of gray and
white, oil paintings, and elegant lamps. The rooms with more contemporary
decor have a minimalist feel, with white walls contrasting with the
dark-wood furniture and a few colorful accents such as bright red
desk chairs, and multicolored striped bed runners and chairs. Bathrooms are big and luxurious,
with beautiful beige marble tiling work, double vanities, shower/tub
combos, and separate toilets and bidets. Suites have whirlpool bathtubs,
while the Executive Suite also has a walk-in shower, a personal sauna, and access to an
outdoor terrace. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs,
luxury toiletries, and views of the street or garden. Only some upper-category
rooms have mini-fridges and coffeemakers, the latter of which can be provided on request.
Features
Elegant period restaurant and bar, free a la carte breakfast, and free Wi-Fi
The building's historic vine is best experienced in its restaurant and bar
area, reached through a carved wooden entranceway just off reception.
The elegant wood wall paneling, parquet floors, old bookcases, and oil
paintings add to the rich, historic atmosphere. The bar is made of mahogany and is over 120 years old. There’s a lovely adjoining covered terrace that's used as the breakfast room
and has large windows, wrought-iron furniture, and chandeliers. The menu offers French and Argentinian dishes, and an a la carte menu for breakfast
(included in room rates). The hotel also has four multipurpose
banquet rooms, which can accommodate up to 200 people, and offers business
center services, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service
and concierge services.
