Sleep stylishly: The Condesa DF is one of Latin America’s best boutique hotels. |
BY MARK CHESNUT
Whether your idea of a Latin America vacation is rubbing shoulders with rock stars, indulging in gourmet cuisine or being pampered at every step, there is most likely a boutique hotel to cater to you. I’ve sampled quite a few of Latin America’s coolest small hotels in recent years, and here are some of my favorites (there are several more on my wish list). Put any of these hotels on the itinerary for your next Latin America vacation, and you won’t likely be disappointed.
Condesa DF, Mexico City
Set on a tranquil block in Mexico City’s upscale Condesa district, the Condesa DF is a stylish but relaxed retreat in North America’s largest city. Part of the design-conscious Grupo Habita, it has pristine guest rooms, a lovely rooftop terrace and attention-getting yet unobtrusive furnishings.
Faena Hotel + Universe, Buenos Aires
Rock stars are among the guests at this plush, stylish boutique hotel in the fast-growing Puerto Madero district. Locals and visitors alike visit the Faena for its live tango show, excellent restaurant and lively bar scene. Argentina — and Buenos Aires, in particular — is known for its boutique-style flair, and Faena is one of the most sumptuous places to savor it. (Check out my two-part, detailed review here.)
The Aubrey, Santiago de Chile
A British-style former home is the lovely setting for The Aubrey, a relaxed and elegant hotel in Santiago’s Bohemian Bellavista neighborhood. One of Chile‘s best-looking hotels, The hotel has spacious, tastefully furnished rooms, and the location makes for easy access to downtown as well as Bellavista’s cafes and bars. (Check out my hotel review of The Aubrey here.)
Man Rey, Panama City
Sleek and modern, Man Rey sits on Calle Uruguay, one of Panama City’s most bustling nightlife areas. Quirky design details include nightclub-style lighting in the halls and a guest room category that has — instead of windows — terrarium-style glass enclosures (the windows on rooms facing the street are partly opaque, to provide more privacy from the pedestrians below). The style here may not be for everyone, but it sure is unique for this fast-growing city.
Fasano, São Paulo
Handsome, mature and indulgent, the Fasano is like a well-dressed traveler, and it’s one of São Paulo’s great boutique hotels (and likely one of the best in all of Brazil). The Fasano family’s decades-old expertise in the culinary world can be sampled at the restaurant, and the rooftop swimming pool is a great getaway from the bustling, upscale Jardins neighborhood below. (The more recently opened Fasano in Rio de Janeiro, as well as its Las Piedras property in Punta del Este, Uruguay, have also been getting a lot of press lately, but I haven’t visited either hotel yet.)