Melia Recoleta Plaza was built in 1915 and was the former home of Evita Peron, who, as Argentina's first lady from 1946 until her death in 1952, fought hard for labor rights and women's suffrage. History sets the tone here. The hotel has maintained a striking white-stone facade and magnificent interior. The lobby is small and has white floors, an antique wooden front desk, soft floral patterns, and a large black-and-white photograph of Peron herself. The elegant design extends to the public spaces, which are filled with chandeliers and Old World decor. The restaurant features green marble tables and wooden chairs with patterned padding. The breakfast room goes for a chic look. Think: wood floors, modern distressed leather chairs, and exposed brick walls. Live piano music each morning complements the black-and-white photographs of jazz musicians on the walls. Other trendy areas are the terrace bar with cozy outdoor couches and iron tables and chairs, plus a rooftop terrace with lovely views, loungers, and a pool. It all adds up to a romantic vibe, with plenty of spaces to sit and relax. The hotel draws a good share of couples, but also business travelers, families, groups of friends, and solo voyagers. 

Melia Recoleta Plaza is situated in the heart of Recoleta, a beautiful cultural area filled with restaurants, nightlife, museums, and parks. It’s a five-minute walk to Patio Bullrich, a shopping mall. La Recoleta Cemetery is a 10-minute walk away and Teatro Colon takes 25 minutes to reach on foot. Places like Plaza de Mayo and La Boca are not within walking distance. However, there’s a bus stop around the corner, a metro stop that’s a 16-minute walk from the property, and a train station that’s 20 minutes away on foot. It’s an hour- and 20-minute drive to Ezezia International Airport. 

The 57 rooms at Melia Recoleta Plaza are spacious and attractively decorated in an Old World elegant style. With wood floors, white beds, antique pieces, and Queen Anne and Louis XV furniture, the rooms take historic details seriously. All rooms have the basics, like flat-screen TVs, DVD players, air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and bottled water (for a fee). Turndown service, free shoe shining, and pillow menus are nice extras. Level, Level Deluxe, and Level Premium Rooms add free minibars and surprise gifts in the evening. Premium Rooms have espresso makers and wine bars. Deluxe and Level Deluxe Rooms offer spacious enclosed terraces with hot tubs. Upper-level rooms have separate living rooms. Bathrooms are gorgeously outfitted with chic wooden slate cabinets, vessel sinks, and tile Roman showers with waterfall showerheads. Premium Rooms also have separate jetted tubs and glass walls that look into the bedrooms, with blinds for privacy. Hairdryers, bathrobes, and toiletries are provided, with L’Occitane toiletries in upper-level rooms. 

Though small, Melia Recoleta Plaza manages to pack in the high-end features. There’s a small spa with a hot tub, sauna, and showers. Both massages and beauty treatments can be booked. The hotel also has a lovely terrace with seating and loungers, plus a small hydromassage pool. There’s a modest gym with a few cardio machines, a weight machine, and some free weights. Each morning, a free breakfast buffet is served, accompanied by piano music. For those who can't stay for breakfast, the hotel has coffee and pastries in the lobby. There’s a terrace bar with cozy seating and a bistro restaurant that serves gourmet Mediterranean cuisine. Room service is offered 24 hours, too. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s a public desktop for guests' use. On-site parking isn't available.