Monserrat Apart Hotel

The hotel's entrance has quite a corporate feel to it: dark gray cement with red and orange paneling. Any touches of local charm or culture are lacking, but the building is still somewhat modern and smart. The wooden reception desk sits in front of a red wall and has purple suede chairs. Beyond this, there's a black leather sofa against a mirrored wall, and a simple computer station for guests' use composed of a wooden desk and a couple of red plastic swivel chairs. A shelving unit with wine bottles sits nearby. The corridors have a business-like feel to them, too; the gray walls are mainly plain but have a triangular pattern by the elevators. A clean-lined uniformity defines the restaurant, where white- and icy-blue-cushioned chairs and polished white floors combine with a red accent wall behind the bar. Scuffs and marks on the walls make it look a little untidy here and there throughout the property. The cement rooftop terrace is decorated with tropical plants and some white plastic patio furniture, and offers excellent views of the city. Guests tend to be small groups of friends or families, along with many business travelers drawn to the convenient in-room features. 

Located in the neighborhood of Monserrat in Buenos Aires, the Monserrat Apart Hotel is near many government buildings, and the hotel does attract a lot of business travelers. The area can be a little gritty so it's not ideal for tourists to be walking around at night. During the day though, there are a few things to see nearby. It’s one block from Avenue of 9th July, and around 10 minutes' walk from both the Palacio Barolo building and the Plaza de los dos Congresos park. It’s a 10-minute drive to the stunning Teatro Colon venue, and around the same to the palatial mansion Casa Rosada. The Moreno Metro station is a five-minute walk away.

Rooms are available as Doubles or Triples. Each has a sofa-bed, and the Triples sleep three plus the sofa-bed, so would be ideal for larger families. All the rooms are spacious and have a contemporary look, though some have industrial-style carpet. The furnishings are soft shades of gray, brown, and white, and have clean, minimalist style. There’s no view to get excited about though -- many overlook brick walls. The rooms feature air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, desks, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. There’s also the useful addition of a kitchenette in each room which includes a kettle, microwave, stove, and small sink, plus cookware, dishware, and utensils. Bathrooms are a little plain, but have modern countertop basins, shower/tub combos, and hairdryers. Some need a little TLC though, as there are signs of mold in some of the tiling.

The hotel offers a free continental buffet breakfast in its Bar Bistro restaurant, including eggs to order and the standard offerings of meats, cheeses, and bread. The restaurant is open all day for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, serving local and international cuisine alongside a varied wine list. There’s also a small bar within the restaurant, and a covered smoking deck. Room service is available during limited hours. The hotel has a heated indoor pool, although it is small and not too appealing, its worn wooden decking lined with several white loungers. For a better view, it’s worth having a dip in the hot tub, which overlooks the city through a huge window. There are also great views to be had from the roof terrace. The spa offers a drinks service, sauna, steam room, and range of massages and facial and body treatments. There’s also a small fitness center, which has an elliptical machine, stepper, exercise bike, and core ball. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout and limited parking is available for a fee. For business travelers, there are two meeting rooms, which seat a maximum of 12 and 80 people.