NH Buenos Aires 9 de Julio

Part of the NH hotel brand and named after the street it sits on, the NH Buenos Aires 9 de Julio is located in a plain 13-story building with an attractive pillared entryway flanking a central rotating doorway. Built in 2009, the hotel still has a fresh, clean air about it. The lobby is pleasant and functional, if somewhat generic, with simple, modern decor that combines neutral colors with tasteful pops of red. Tiled floors are paired with gray walls, and inset ceilings are set with recessed lighting. A carpet marks out a seating area from the long reception desk and offers a few slouchy couches in neutral colors along with red armchairs. Because of its central location in downtown Buenos Areas near both commercial and government buildings as well as tourist hotspots, the hotel is host to a range of guests from business travelers to sightseers. 

This aptly named hotel is well-situated on the bustling 9 de Julio Avenue in Buenos Aires’ El Centro (City Center) and ideally located for both tourists and business travelers alike. The area is home to many of the city’s financial institutions and government buildings, as well as a host of restaurants, bars, and theaters. The city’s tourist epicenter, Microcentro, is within walking distance of the hotel and Florida Avenue is less than 10 minutes away, while the Plaza de Mayo and nearby Casa Rosada and Metropolitan Cathedral are less than 15 minutes away on foot. For those traveling by car, there's an underground parking lot on-site, though it costs an extra fee.

• Four-minute walk to Lima subway station
• Five-minute walk to Obelisk of Buenos Aires
• Seven-minute walk to Colón Theatre
• 10-minute walk to Florida Ave shopping area
• 12-minute walk to the Metropolitan Cathedral
• 13-minute walk to Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada
• 15-minute walk to the Palace of the Argentine National Congress 
• Six-minute drive to Stock Exchange (18-minute walk)
• 10-minute drive to Retiro railway station
• 30-minute drive to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)

Rooms range in size but have standard decor, which is tasteful, but somewhat generic with modern functionality and unassuming style. Wood floors provide a nice change from typical wall-to-wall carpeting, while neutral beige walls and white bedding offer a pleasant contrast to black furniture and black-and-white framed photos on the walls. Ottoman seats upholstered in a lively pattern adds a little interest. Bathrooms are similarly neutral with brown tiling, roomy vanities, and separate areas for the toilets, while wet-room style showers have rainfall showerheads. All rooms have air-conditioning, desks, standing wardrobes, flat-screen TVs with cable, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and tea/coffee facilities. Irons/ironing boards, safes, hairdryers, and individual toiletries are also standard. Suites include a separate sitting area, Nespresso coffeemaker, and bathrobes and slippers. Though problems sprout here and there -- Internet down, AC not cooling enough, etc. -- on the whole, guests find the rooms adequately sized, clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. Note that streetside rooms on higher floors can get noise, though they offer better views.

The hotel has a small rooftop pool that’s open during the summer months and a stylish rooftop terrace with wood-paneled flooring, patio seating, and great city views. The fitness area is built for function with padded flooring and mirrored walls and has four cardio machines, free weights, an exercise ball, and a water station. There’s also a small sauna. The hotel has a stylish dining area with red and beige slipper chairs and wooden tables. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available here with international choices. The breakfast buffet presents the usual suspects -- fruit, cereal, pastries, coffee, etc. -- and guests tend to rate it somewhere between adequate and satisfying, though it doesn’t come standard with the room rate. A stylish lobby bar is open morning to night, while four on-site event rooms can host up to 300 people, with audiovisual equipment available for rent. A business corner in the lobby offers two Internet-equipped computers. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout, 24-hour room service, and 24-hour security. Babysitting, dry cleaning, laundry service, and airport pick up can be arranged as well.