Overall rating: 1½ stars (out of 5)

We checked into the Hotel Ibis, Buenos Aires on 2/18/08. Radio taxi from the airport cost us about $30. Hotel check-in was a breeze even at 10:30am when we arrived from EZE. The hotel lobby was clean but not particularly lovely in any respect. Our superior room (nothing superior about this room) was small but clean. Furnishings were minimal. The bathroom was fine but provided very little shelf space. There were only two nearly threadbare bath towels provided; no hand towels or wash clothes. No shampoo, conditioner, lotion, tissues or other standard amenities were provided and none of these “basics” were available at reception. The bed was firm but comfortable enough, especially when dead tired.

The hotel is in a mixed neighborhood just off Plaza Congresso. Lots of garbage and trash on streets and sidewalks. Some homeless people occupied the park just across the street from the hotel. Access to public transport was good if that’s what you want. There were some Cafes in the surrounding area all offering simple fare. The hotel restaurant offerings were minimal but inexpensive.

The Hotel Ibis, Buenos Aires offers only very basic accommodations. The cost is not high compared to other accommodations in Buenos Aires, 188 Argentine Pesos…about $60 at current exchange rates. The night clerk at reception was enthusiastic and helpful. The day clerks showed little enthusiasm and were not well informed.

This hotel offered WiFi access for a small fee…4 Argentine Pesos for an hour. The day clerks told us the WiFi was no longer available at the hotel, but the night clerk knew better and hooked us up.

This hotel is not terrific for the American traveler. It compares to a low end Motel 6, but not that good. If you’re traveling to Buenos Aires to enjoy the city and the Tango, we would suggest you look at other accommodations. If your need is for a really basic place and a modest price, it may be OK. It all depends on what you’re used to and can put up with. Remember to bring your own shampoo.

Clean, good location. Room not so spacious, breakfast ok. Beds could be better. Front desk staff depends of your luck: some are kind and helpful, others not so much. For one or two nights and if your a type of tourist that leaves the hotel very early in the morning and comes back just to take a shower and sleep, it's ok.

We stayed at the Ibis for 5 nights. The location is really central and you can walk almost everywhere. The metro station is almost on the doorstep.

Apart from that we were a little dissapointed...the staff weren't particularly helpful, the breakfast was very average (pastries, juice, coffee on plastic plates and not much else). Safety deposit boxes are at reception and when we arrived we had to wait for one to become available (this was in the off season). It was freezing while we stayed there and the room had no heating. Our bed was rock hard and uncomfortable.

One isolated incident we experienced...during our stay there was some routine maintenance work on the water system overnight. A notice regarding this was pushed under the door, in Spanish which we managed to roughly translate. The work was due to finish at 5am. We got up to shower at 6am (early start for a day to Uraguay). While I was in the shower the water started running cold, then brown..it was truly digusting. I am sure this was an isolated incident and we were the first people to use the water after the work had finished but it was a terrible start to the day!

Buenos Aires is a fabulous city, loads to see and do and the hotel provides a convenient base to explore. If this is what you are after, then it may suit you. If you want comfort, friendliness and service then I suggest looking elsewhere.

My wife and I stayed at the Ibis Bs As for seven nights and we were very happy with the hotel. The hotel has a convenient location right on the Microcentro area, lots of restaurants and cafes around, if you wanna walk San Telmo, Puerto Madero and Calle Florida shopping areas aren't that far away. For Recoleta and Palermo you really should take a cab. Well, since I booked early in their website I got a room that overlooked the Congreso Plaza, the view was great and it wasn't even noisy since our room was at the 11th floor and the windows have good soundproofing. Rooms aren't large but they are clean, our bed was comfortable, we always had hot water and the heating/air conditioning worked fine. The people at the front desk were friendly and helpful. There's a cafeteria next to the lobby, they make great café con leche which isn't included in the breakfast buffet that by the way I wouldn't reccomend. Since we normally don't spend too much time in our hotels what we really want is a clean place where we can sleep and take a bath and save some money for dinner, drinks or shopping... this is covered perfectly well by the Ibis.