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The World Tango Festival Returns to Buenos Aires

Thursday August 5, 2010

The World Tango Festival runs for two weeks in the city famous for inventing the dance. From August 13 through 31, 2010, tango will take Buenos Aires by storm - even more than it usually does at this dance capital.

Pack your best dancing heels and book a room at the Park Tower, Buenos Aires. From there, you'll be within easy access of "the greatest tango event in the world." The program is incredibly diverse: concerts, public milongas (traditional dancing halls), films, dance lessons for everyone from beginners to experts, a tango-products fair, and the big event: the 8th Tango Buenos Aires Dance World Cup. Hundreds of the best tango-dancing couples in the world come to the annual event to compete in Salon Tango (the slow, measured, precise style you'd see in large dance venues) or Stage Tango (tango literally presented on stage, as a performance) categories. The exciting finales are held at the Luna Park stadium on the final two days of the fest. And lest you think tango is a relic of days gone by, get down at the Electrotango dance parties, which feature standard melodies over techno, on August 20 and 27.

[image via Wikimedia Commons]

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Jog Your Way Through Buenos Aires

Wednesday July 28, 2010

Belgrano_R,_Buenos_Aires.jpg Want to make sure your trip to Buenos Aires is a healthy one? Combine sight-seeing and sweating by way of Urban Running Tours, which gives you a unique way to see the city - by pounding the pavement.

Ensuring that there are no excuses that keep you from exercising, you can have your tour start right from the lobby of the Sheraton Libertador Hotel. From there, you have your choice of tour, led by trained runners-cum-professional tour guides who know the ins and outs of the city's neighborhoods. You'll progress at your own pace on a run that's about 6 miles long. (If you want to go longer, just pay a little more.) On the tour, you'll learn about the history of what you're whizzing by, see notable buildings, and hear about big events. There are six runs to choose from, though custom options are available, that weave through the main neighborhoods of the city. Check out the city's bohemian flavor on the Palermo SOHO & Hollywood run, see the ancient buildings scattered throughout Recoleta neighborhood on the Recoleta run, or jog along calm and quiet residential streets on the Belgrano (pictured). Bonus: Your guide will carry a backpack that carries your water bottle, room key, and any other personal items.

[image via Wikimedia Commons © Svenska84]

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Passport to Free Weekends Tangoes to Argentina

Wednesday May 26, 2010

SPG's "Passport to Free Weekends" scavenger hunt had its final stop in the southern hemisphere on Tuesday as it ventured from Australia to Argentina. In Buenos Aires, the legendary capital of tango dancing, it was revealed that the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center was the mystery hotel of the day. Travelers following clues on SPG's Twitter and Facebook pages raced to the hotel for the opportunity to win a Free Weekend.

Elaine (pictured) was one of the 10 lucky winners to ask for her "Free Weekends Passport Photo" at the front desk and won two Free Weekend Nights to the destination of her choice.

Located above it all, in the center of it all, the Sheraton Buenos Aires is the ultimate destination for an Argentinean adventure, with easy access to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Plaza de Mayo, and countless shops, galleries, and tango lounges. The 24-story hotel has 742 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites that offer breathtaking views of the city and the Rio de la Plata. Two swimming pools - including one with a sundeck and outdoor bar - offer a great way to keep cool under the sun. Those looking for some exercise can visit the fully-staffed Neptune Fitness Center, or play tennis day or night on the lighted outdoor courts.

Buenos Aires' status as a culinary capital is reflected in all of the hotel's restaurants, from the Italian buffet at Cardinale Ristorante to El Aljibe Restaurant, which serves upscale international dishes and fine wines in an elegant atmosphere. After-dinner cocktails at the Lobby Bar come with live piano music, perfect for planning your next adventure.

From Toronto to Buenos Aires, SPG's Passport to Free Weekends contest has traveled around the world awarding 100 winners with two Free Weekend Night Awards to the destination of their choice. We hope you share your travels with us for future stories on theLobby.com. But remember the SPG Free Weekends promotion is not over! Earn more Awards for your stays by registering at spg.com/freeweekends through June 30.

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Starpick the Sheraton Mar del Plata Hotel

Wednesday May 12, 2010

Buenos Aires is one of South America's most cosmopolitan cities, filled with vibrant culture, fine cuisine, and beautiful architecture. It's also the home of the Sheraton Mar del Plata Hotel, which is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. Located just minutes from the business district, numerous golf courses, and several gorgeous Atlantic beaches, this sophisticated destination is the ultimate base from which to explore the city. Spend your day visiting world class museums and historic sites like La Casa Rosada, El Museo Histórico Nacional, and the Evita Museum, which celebrates the life of one of the most beloved and controversial figures in Argentina's history. When you've had your fill, make your way back to the hotel for some serious pampering at the Neptune Spa, with its indoor heated whirlpool, sauna baths, and soothing massages, or stay fit and trim at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Dinner comes with breathtaking views at Las Barcas restaurant, which serves international cuisine in a sophisticated environment, while there are few better places to relax into the evening than the Lobby Bar, where the cocktails are as engaging as the conversation. Of course, the Sheraton Mar del Plata is just one of dozens of Starpicks properties this week, so check the list for the destination of your desires.

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Hitting the Café in Buenos Aires

Tuesday February 23, 2010

In addition to its famous steakhouses, Buenos Aires is dotted with picturesque cafés full of people enjoying perfectly pulled espresso and lovely snacks ‐ the perfect way to wile away an afternoon while staying at the Sheraton Liberator Hotel.

If that afternoon includes perusing the contemporary Latin American art in the MALBA, visit its glass and marble cafe, Café des Arts. The bright and airy space showcases artful pastries, like the little brioches dappled with dulce de leche, and more substantial meals even on a rainy day.

Gran Café Tortoni is Argentina's oldest café, and as such is considered a must-see for visitors to Buenos Aires. That makes it a bit less relaxing than other cafés, but no less worthwhile: the owners keep tourists from coming in for a peek during peak hours. For another eyeful along with your cupful of coffee, visit the second oldest café in the country, Las Violetas. Its stained glass and columns will charm you as you enjoy tea time or perhaps something more substantial.

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The Big Pink House of Buenos Aires

Monday November 9, 2009

La Casa Rosada (The Pink House) is one of Buenos Aires's most photographed buildings, and for good reason. The striking Italian-style palace captivates observers at any angle with its majestic columns, intricate detailing, and, of course, its pastel pink color. Known among Porteños as the Palacio Presidencial (The Presidential Palace) or the Casa de Gobierno (Government House), it's the seat of the executive branch, where President Cristina Elizabet Fernández de Kirchner shows up for work every day. But perhaps more famously, it boasts the balcony where Eva Peron made her final farewell speech, saying, "don't cry for me, Argentina." Befitting a democratic institution, the palace's pink color is the result of a political compromise in the 1860's, when President Domingo Sarmiento blended the red and white colors of opposing political parties in order to diffuse tensions between them. It seems to have worked. Not all of the palace is accessible to the public, but guided tours of a few main sections are available, and there's also a museum filled with art, exhibits, and memorabilia. Then there's also the chance you might just stumble upon some spontaneous tango performances outside. Starwood has five properties in Buenos Aires, including the Park Tower, Buenos Aires, a Luxury Collection hotel.

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A Newly Enhanced SPG Flights

Tuesday August 18, 2009

Last fall, Starwood Preferred Guest unveiled SPG Flights, a fantastic online service that allows you to easily redeem those hard-earned Starpoints for a flight to the destination of your choice, with a few clicks of a mouse. With hundreds of airlines to choose from and no blackout dates, SPG Flights makes booking a trip as simple as search, redeem, fly. Sounds pretty seamless, right? Well, since SPG Flights launched last September, Starwood Preferred Guest has been working to make an already great service even better with more choices. Now you can search for one-way or multi-city flights in addition to round trips, choose your preferred time for departures and arrivals and search your favorite airlines for a particular flight. Plus, SPG has added six additional languages (French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian), as well as the option to purchase flight insurance. And remember, SPG Flights is the only hotel loyalty program that allows members to redeem award points for air travel without blackout dates or restrictions. So if you've been saving up those Starpoints for a trip to Buenos Aires or Paris, now's the time to book! Anyone up for a late-summer getaway? The world is calling loud and clear.

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Destination Spotlight - Buenos Aires - Neighborhood Watch: Palermo Soho

Thursday June 25, 2009

From the windows of the Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center, the views are unbeatable. A sprawling city, comprised of myriad neighborhoods stretches out below. From San Telmo with its tango plazas, and Recoleto with its marvelous Design Center, each has its own distinct style. But no neighborhood can compete with Palermo Soho when it comes to shopping. The trendy barrio boasts the largest concentration of cool shops in the city.

Start your excursion at Calma Chicha, a colorful emporium filled with throw pillows and butterfly chairs covered in vivid fabrics and soft cowhides. It's smack dab in the middle of Honduras, the district's main thoroughfare stretching from Avenida Raul Scalabrini Ortiz to Avenida Juan B. Justo. A few doors down, Papelera Palermo is a stationary lover's dream come true. Stock up on wonderfully rustic photo albums, notebooks with Aztec inspired covers, and paper in every hue imaginable. For candy colored soaps head down Gurruchaga to a modern boutique where the Sabater siblings continue the family business by offering time-tested soaps reinvented for a new generation. If you can tear your nose away from the box of magnolia scented soap leaves, loop over to Armenia where you can plop down on one of Bar 6's velvet settees or sidle up to a farm table and refuel on tostados and stir fries before heading back out for the second leg of your Palermo Soho spree. You won't want to miss the dozens of independent designer fashion boutiques that line these picturesque streets. Do you have a favorite? We'd love to know. Watch the video for more great ideas on what to do in Palermo Soho.

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Destination Spotlight - Buenos Aires - All About the Beef

Wednesday June 24, 2009

Argentina is the land of meat eaters, and Buenos Aires is the capital of beef. More beef is consumed here per capita than any other country, so it's no surprise that there are some fantastic places for a steak all over the city. To kick things off, ask the concierge at the Park Tower for his or her favorite parrilla, or steakhouse. Or just head straight for Cabaña las Lilas, widely considered the top of the considerable heap — it made it onto famed New York Times food critic R.W. Apple's list of 10 restaurants worth flying to visit. Despite its status, the atmosphere is relaxed and the dress policy is casual, though known to be expensive.

Another option is La Cabrera in the trendy Palermo Hollywood neighborhood. Huge, perfectly grilled cuts of beef come accompanied by a plethora of sides. If the line is too long, try the sister location, La Cabrera Norte, just down the block, or head to one of the pre-gentrification hold-outs, Bar del Gallego, where steaks share the menu with hearty porkchops and many Italian specialties.

A tip for ordering your steak: tend to like theirs medium-well to well done. The term for medium is a punto, and rare is jugoso; make sure to specify when you order.

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Destination Spotlight - Buenos Aires - An Urban Oasis at Parque Tres de Febrero

Tuesday June 23, 2009

Sometimes it seems like Buenos Aires never slows down, but there is one place porteños go when they need to escape to a peaceful, natural setting. Located in the Palermo neighborhood, Parque Tres de Febrero is a breathtaking 25 hectare urban oasis crisscrossed with walking paths and dotted with picnic areas that are perfect for soaking up the sun. Among the loveliest green spaces in South America, the park was opened in 1875 on property that once belonged to strongman Juan Manuel de Rosas, whose overthrow freed up huge tracts of land to public use. World-renowned architects and designers improved it throughout the years, adding a rose garden, botanical gardens, and a variety of outdoor works of art. It's a perfect place to relax and catch your breath after an evening of tango, but those who crave a bit more stimulation can explore the largest Japanese garden outside Japan or head to the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, a striking modernist structure that can project 8,900 stars, constellations and nebulas in its domed theater. As for me, I'll head to the boating lake and rent a rowboat for a tranquil afternoon out on the water, followed by an inspiring walk through the Poet's Garden. It's the perfect antidote to the intensity of Buenos Aires, and convenient to several Starwood properties, including the Sheraton Libertador Hotel.

[Image via buenos-aires.ws]

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