Ultra Hotel

Hotel description

In Buenos Aires, the bar has been set high in the boutique hotel category – and that fact makes the new Ultra Hotel all the more notable. Centrally situated in the fashionable neighborhood of Palermo Soho, the Ultra looks intimidatingly dark from the street: the shadowy lobby, illuminated only with candles and spotlights, is lined with minimalist furniture and shiny black lacquered tables. But take a closer look around and you’ll notice that the walls are exposed brick and that the footstools are plush and cozy. This place isn’t sacrificing any warmth in the name of style.

There’s a sunlit courtyard patio where ivy climbs the walls, for instance, and old-world details like vintage telephones and wine cabinets; even the hip, lowlit library is filled with familiar dark wood paneling and deep leather couches. Upstairs, the 20 guest rooms are similarly furnished, mixing light and dark, new and old. King-sized beds, LCD television screens, and wireless internet are standard features, and the executive and Ultra suites offer jacuzzis.

The rooftop terrace boasts a narrow, sky blue-tiled swimming pool that, while not exactly big enough for swimming laps, is inviting for a quick dip on hot summer days. Classic cocktails are served here and downstairs in the polished bar and bistro, a spot that, like the hotel itself, evokes the moody elegance of an old-fashioned gentleman’s club.