Vitrum

Hotel description

There’s no shortage of boutique hotels in Palermo Viejo, widely considered to be Buenos Aires’ most fashion-forward barrio. There is, however, a dearth of boutique hotels that deliver the goods without looking like second-rate minimalist knock-offs or victims of last year’s trends. One that stands out from the pack is the brand-new Vitrum Hotel, the latest creation by an upscale hotel conglomerate that’s built several inspired boutiques in Argentina.

Vibrantly colored patchwork tiles adorn the Vitrum’s retro-style facade and hint at the lively interior, a rainbow-hued designer’s playground filled with candy-colored antique glass, asymmetrical shapes, psychedelic prints, and polka dots. The look is avant-garde, but with a sense of humor – if Andy Warhol had ever designed a hotel, it might have looked something like the Vitrum. Attention to rich materials and textures has clearly been given to the sixteen guest rooms and suites, where smooth hardwood floors and 300-thread count Egyptian cotton set a classic backdrop and prevent the Rorschach test-style wallpaper from seeming too over-the-top. L’Occitane bath products, wireless internet, espresso machines in the kitchenettes, and flat-screen televisions come standard. The duplex suite, a bi-level loft with a spacious, light-filled living area, is big enough for a family.

As with other successful boutiques in Buenos Aires, the Vitrum’s public spaces are a large part of the hotel’s appeal. The cool, casual bar, featuring tapas specials and a great selection of wines by the glass from the Vitrum’s own cellar, has been drawing locals as well as hotel guests. Cocktails are also served on the terrace near the just-opened Urban Spa, and the surrounding neighborhood is rife with tony bistros and wine bars.