Luxury in the making: a rendering of the Panamera, a Waldorf Astoria hotel in Panama. |
It’s a new year, and new Latin America hotels are popping up around the hemisphere, with the hope of swaying you away from your long-time favorites. With so many options, how can you decide if a new Buenos Aires hotel or Mexico City hotel is worth your attention? From Panama City to San Juan, Puerto Rico and down to Chile, here are five new properties that should be on your short list.
Downtown (Mexico City)
Grupo Habita is already known as the company that brought chic boutique style to Mexico, so it’s no surprise that their new hotel, Downtown, is attracting attention. Set in a restored 17th-century building in Mexico City‘s historic center, the 17-room oasis of cool brings an attractive new option for anyone looking to stay in the heart of North America’s largest city.
Alvear Art Hotel (Buenos Aires)
The Alvear Palace is famous for its opulent decor and traditional style; its new sister property, which opens this year in Buenos Aires, is geared for a more contemporary ambiance, with sleeker lines and decor.
The Panamera, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel (Panama City)
Located near the nightlife of Calle Uruguay and just a block from the waterfront boulevard, Central America’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel (it’s the first one anywhere south of Mexico, actually) is sure to bring some healthy competition to Panama City‘s already-booming hotel industry when it opens in June 2012. (Hilton Worldwide, the Waldorf Astoria parent company, is also trumpeting the new Hilton Bogota in Colombia, which looks pretty cool in the photos.)
The Condado Vanderbilt (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Set partly on a property developed in 1919 by Frederick William Vanderbilt, the spot that was the first luxury resort in San Juan‘s Condado district is bound to attract upscale travelers yet again when it opens its doors (the ballroom is already hosting some pretty swanky looking private events, but I guess my invitation got lost in the mail).
Tierra Patagonia (Torres del Paine, Chile)
The wildfires that raged in parts of Torres del Paine, one of Chile‘s most beautiful destinations for nature lovers, happily did not affect Tierra Patatonia, a luxury hotel where weary explorers can pamper themselves with time in the outdoor Jacuzzi, indoor pool and stylish lounge areas.
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