Review: Mio Buenos Aires

Why book?

A modern refuge where rustic, wine-themed aesthetics and wellness meet in posh Recoleta.

Set the scene

Set in a jacaranda-lined block in swanky Recoleta, this 13-story hotel with an opaque-glass exterior and massive front door crafted from French oak wine barrels hints at refined surprises that await inside. The sleek lobby and lounge are composed of metal, glass, wood, and exposed concrete and the crowd is a smartly dressed mix of locals in Louis Vuitton and vintage YSL, Latin American couples with well-groomed children, and Gen-Xers in skinny jeans and Stan Lee sneakers.

The backstory

Winegrower César Catena’s hotel in Buenos Aires occupies some of the country’s priciest real estate, a few blocks from Evita Perón’s final resting place. All rooms have balconies that overlook swanky apartments owned by Argentina’s most patrician families.

The rooms

The lobby’s modern rustic aesthetic continues within the guest rooms, with its frosted glass doors, metal fixtures and wooden bathtubs hand-carved by Argentine artist Mario Dasso from Calden trees of the Pampas. Every room has an entirely unique textural and varnished work of art you can soak in after a day exploring the city. Elsewhere in the rooms, a mix of concrete and dark-wood walls, silk curtains, and mini bar with Nespresso machines.

Food and drink

In good weather, breakfast is served in the open-air Patio, with its lush tropical plants and waterfall feature decorated with a giant metal butterfly. But the real draw at Mio is the Verdot Wine Bar, which showcases the best wines from Argentina’s Cuyo and Patagonia region, which pair perfectly with charcuterie and cheese plates.

The spa

As the name might suggest, 8^th Spa is situated in the hotel’s eighth floor, a tranquil oasis of dimmed lighting, walls and ceiling covered in black stone sourced from the Andean city of San Luis, and a relaxation area at the edge of the small but inviting indoor pool. Signature treatments include a Malbec grape-seed scrub, a Patagonian stone massage, and a chocolate body wrap.

The neighborhood/area

Recoleta is the city’s poshest enclave, a place where ladies and gents dressed in their vintage designer threads still meet for coffee at iconic cafes like La Biela, and youngsters hang out with friends at the park, Plaza San Martin de Tours, with its rubber trees planted in the late 18^th century. Don’t miss a visit to Recoleta Cemetery, an outdoor maze of small passageways where gorgeous statues and mausoleums in various architectural styles house the remains of Argentina’s prominent figures and very wealthy families. Another worthy place to visit is the Cultural Center housed in a 1732 building (one of the oldest in the city). There’s always something interesting to see and do, from a photography or textile exhibit, hands-on art class, or perhaps a lecture by a visiting artist.

The service

The staff is attentive and professional.