One of the most striking ways that the Internet has changed travel is by opening up the market for short-term apartment rentals. Hotels may be fine in some cases -- we still use them for travel inside the U.S. -- but for any stay of a week or so or longer, we much prefer getting an apartment.
In Paris a year ago, we found a great apartment on Craigslist, in the 1er arrondisement, about two blocks from the Louvre (!) and a short walk to the giant Les Halles Metro stations. In London this year, we rented an apartment in Islington, close to Tube and bus stops.
A quick google will show a large and thriving apartment rental market in Buenos Aires, especially in established, well-to-do central barrios like Recoleta and Palermo.
In 2007, we had an apartment in el centro, on Paraguay between Reconquista and San Martín. It was very large and nicely decorated, but the neighborhood was noisy and congested.
Then in 2008 we got lucky: we discovered discover BA, or as we know them, Alfredo and Valeria. They own and manage a number of apartments, all in great locations at reasonable prices. Alfredo and Valeria are two of the nicest people we've met in our travels, always helpful and congenial.
Last year and this, we've rented their REC01 unit. We really love this apartment -- it's in a great location, it has everything we need, and it's just the right size for the two of us.
And next year? Valeria has shown us several of their other rentals, and we just might try something different.
I'm going to bookmark that website. My fiancee and I really want to go to BsAs again and I think an apartment stay would be ideal. Last time, we stayed in a hotel in Palermo Hollywood. It was a nice hotel and the people were great, but we feel comfortable enough now to stay on our own. Plus, with an apartment, it would be cheap enough to stay for 2 weeks or even a month (if we could get the time off, of course).
ReplyDeleteYou're quite right -- and once you start renting apartments, it'll be hard to go back to staying in hotels.
ReplyDelete