Page 276 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

274  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodations in Argentina are varied domestic chain hotels are well represented
enough to satisfy the taste and budget of in urban and tourist destinations, together
every traveler. At the top end of the range with a vibrant boutique hotel scene that
are five-star deluxe hotels, which provide offers a more personable and aesthetically
exclusive service and first-class amenities. driven alternative. Visitors traveling to
A quintessentially Argentinian experience, national parks can stay at well-equipped
luxury estancias in the country’s rural campsites, while economical hotel options
interiors combine bucolic relaxation and include modern hostels, cabin complexes,
breathtaking vistas. International and and budget hotels.

Gradings
Hotels are graded from one to
five stars, although Argentina’s
classification system differs from
the international star system
and is often not the best guide
to quality, with the exception
of five-star hotels. A common
anomaly involves a hotel
receiving a lower rating than
it deserves, often because the
local tourist office has not yet
upgraded it, or because hotels
themselves have opted to stay The Ave María at Tandil in the Pampas region (see p280)
in a lower category in order
to avoid higher taxes. Cabin parts of the country. At the top access to the best game areas
complexes and hosterías (small end are five-star deluxe hotels, and helicopter or light airplane
hotels) are awarded a separate which typically charge US$300 transport. Outside of this category,
grading of between one and or more per night. These are most estancias, including working
three stars. followed in order of cost by five- ones in Patagonia and guest
star and boutique hotels, four- ranches in the Buenos Aires
and three-star hotels, and cabin province, charge between
Pricing and Booking
complexes. At the low end of US$150 and US$250 per night.
Pricing depends greatly on the price range, hostels and Rates vary greatly between
location – hotel rates in campsites are often better-value low and peak season, when
Buenos Aires and popular alternatives to budget hotels. prices rise considerably. At
tourist destinations such as Exclusive fishing and hunting Atlantic beach resorts peak
Patagonia’s Lake District are lodges charge up to US$750 per season is between December
higher than those in other night. Services provided include and March, whereas in
Patagonia’s Lake District peak
season also includes mid-July
to mid-August. Easter weekend
is also considered peak season
throughout the country, except
for the Atlantic beach resort area.
Taxes
Hotels in Argentina charge
21 percent in Impuesto de Valor
Agregado or IVA (value-added
tax or VAT). This tax should be
included in the quoted rate,
but it is worth checking when
booking in order to avoid any
unwelcome surprises when
checking out. While calculating
price ranges listed on pages
The stylish tango-themed Mansión Dandi Royal, San Telmo (see p278) 278–83, IVA is taken into account.
Vibrantly colored store exterior in the La Boca barrio, Buenos Aires

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