Alvear Palace Hotel

The Alvear Palace has been the Recoleta institution since 1932 — French style throughout, the kind of formal lobby that is increasingly rare in modern luxury hotels, and the Av. Alvear address that puts the city's best boutiques (Hermès, Louis Vuitton, the local design houses) at the front door. The recent renovation brought a new rooftop bar, a refreshed pool, and a contemporary update to the suites without dismantling the Beaux-Arts character of the public rooms.

For older couples and grandparent suites travelling with a wedding party, the Alvear is the most reassuring address in Buenos Aires — the staff has been with the property for decades, the room service breakfast on the table by the window is one of the city's small pleasures, and the L'Orangerie afternoon tea remains the city's grande dame ritual. Leading Hotels of the World.

The 1932 Recoleta institution.