Hello fellow Travelers!
I am going to Argentina at the end of October (Oct 24), for one full month, for the first time. Thanks to the great reports on this website, I found some information about agencies renting apartments in BA. However, I would appreciate additional information/suggestions concerning renting a nice but reasonably priced 1 bedroom or a studio in Recoleta or some other nice neighborhood. Let me ask some questions here:
1. Is Recoleta the best choice, given the general interst in meeting the girls and at the same time a desire to be safe coming home at night?
2.Would'nt the prices offered on the Net for the tourists be much higher than the "real" prices (I see some prices as high as 95 USD/day for 1-bedroom)? I suppose renting for the whole month should give me a very substantial discount from day-to-day rent; will it?
3. Which agent is the best to show around and to find the best apartments? Any specific recommendations for a particularly nice, cheeful place?
Finally, would any of the experienced memebers be in BA at that time, and would you agree to meet with me there, to explore together? I am 47, good-natured, love partying, but, unfortunately, alas, virtually no Spanish...
Leonid

Thank you very much for your e-mail reply, Uwphoto!
Iam not sure that I was able to send a reply to your e-mail (nothing shows in my "sent items' folder...?), so I am replying here just incase; becides, I am asking more questions and, of course, I welcome all respnces.

I wrote to "Godfather" who ownes these apartments. I am now thinking of the fancy one for three weeks, although it is a bit expensive...but jaccuzy, pool, nice furniture all are very appealing; when you have seen it, was it really that nice? And the smaller one you stayed in: on the photos posted on the web it looks a bit dark, with less cheeful furniture, and generally it looked less attractive to me, although the price is much more agreeble. Was it in reality nice, and also good location?

I have been in Rio some 9 years ago. The side trip to Brazil is a possibility; however, I so far assumed that I will keep myself busy between BA and Argentinian countryside (those Falls, etc.); plus there is Urugway. I may indeed take some Spanish while I am in BA; I am also going to study a bit using Pimseur's beginners course, which was recommended in the Club texts.

Taking advantage of your kindness, can I bother you with some additional questions please?

1. Have you been to those Iguazu Falls, to Cordoba, to Santa Fe, to other places in Argentina? What do you think is worth a side trip, especially in light of our mutual interest in having good sex in addition to enjoyng the seanery? Can one find girls there, or is it necessary to take one along from BA? I read one or two reports where people say that Argentinian countryside is quite amaising in terms of meeting very nice and beautiful women...however, I have a feeling that that requires either the knowledge of Spanish, or a companion who can speak the language.
2. Have you been to Motevideo, and to Urugway's sea shore resorts, and are the latter woth the visit in November (still a bit cold)? Again, what is the sex seen there, if you happend to know?
3. Similar questions about going to Santyago, Chile.

Again, thanks a lot for your time!
Sincerely
Leonid

Leonid,

I stayed in Godfather's high end apartment back in May. It's great. Very comfortable and in a great building. Domingo the doorman is a fan of Valmont wine. His stoic facade is easily cracked with a bottle of it. Have a good time.

Sterling

Thanks, Sterling!
Since you stayed in that apartment, please tell me: is there a limit to how many girls can come up at one time? Is that why you mentioned the doorman and his wine taste? Are the jaccuzi and the pool for exclusive use of that apartment, or for several apartments? Which clubs, restaurants, cafes in the area do you like best? Any relevant information is of interest to me now that I am going to stay there.
And again, I'll be in BA from Oct. 25 to atleast Nov. 14; I'd love to meet Club members during that time (and I will stay in this nice apartment too...)
Thanks again!
Leonid

you can check my new report for a more complete list of apartments and aparthotels....Godfathers place is very nice, but be discrete taking chicas up and down...this is a very exclusive building...and a series of trashy looking chicas is noticed..........

The pool, etc are for use by the entire building, not just one or two apartments.....The building is in one of the nicest parts of Recoleta, which is one of the nicest parts of BsAs...all of the apartments listed in my report are within 5 or 6 blocks of each other in the same area...

La Recova de POSADAS is nearby, with a concentration of very nice restaurants such as a branch of Plaza Mayor and a couple of nice steak houses...and and ITALIAN restaurant that is quite qood...Also nearby is Patio Bullrich, an upscale shopping mall with a food court for quick, inexpensive meals...there are several coffee shops and cafes nearby as well....

re other parts of Argentina...IGUAZU FALLS IS SPECTACULAR...and well worth seeing...no Spanish necessary if you contract for a guided tour....I STAYED at the Sheraton, with a falls view...I understand from friends that there are pick up bars on the Brazil side....but i have not tried it myself...

Bariloche certainly has girls available and is a mountain community set on a pristine lake....

GodFather's Montevideo low cost place is nice also. It is a great location about a block away from the high cost apartment.

Anyway, I reccomend anything GF has for rent.

OH

Leonid:

You have made a great choice in renting that apartment. I never had a single problem with bring the lady/ladies up to the apartment. Domingo is a great person. I rented Godfather's mid range apartment the last time because the luxury unit was not available and Domingo ran out of the building to welcome me back to BA.

I think that being discrete and using common sense would be appreciated not only Godfather but by all who frequently rent his apartments. Small gifts to all the staff at the apartment is always a nice touch whether that is wine, medialunes, sandwich or just as simple as a soft drink during the day. After my 26 night stay at the luxury apartment I handed Domingo an envelope which contained enough to take his staff out for a nice lunch.

The pool is for all apartment residents and is vacant during the week and busier on the weekends. I not to sure about the temperature for swimming but the spa would be an excellent choice. The roof was a great place for a little piece of mind because you cannot capture this view of BA on film.

If you need a late night snack then walk one block to Che Buenos Aires which is on the corner of Montevideo and Libertador. Order a "sandwich de lomo completo" which is a steak sandwich with tomato, lettuce, hard boiled egg, ham and cheese on "pan" arabe bread. You won't regret it.

There is an older gentleman across the street that runs a variety store and a nice couple just down the street that sells fruits and vegetables. I think that it is always nice to buy as locally as possible. They will greet you every day and will soon become a part of your Buenos Aires experience.

Godfather's trusty contact in BA, Mayra, will help you with everything (transfers, cell phone etc). She has an associate who is a very nice lady that can tutor you in Spanish. I am for sure going to take private spanish lessons from her early in the new year.

Finally, you may be a little overwelmed when you arrive in this huge city. Try not to worry too much (I know it is hard not to). I too arrived with virtually no spanish but managed with ease. Do yourself a huge favor and take a city tour with Roxanna.

I will try to answer any further questions as best as I can.

Pancho

Thank you Pancho, Pirate, Otrohombre!
I will try to be a good tenant in Godfather's apartment. Small gifts to the staff is a good idea I will try to follow. I wonder: when do I give Dominic a bottle of Valmont wine -- as we meet the first time? A little later? When I come home late at night with a chica?(remember that I will not able to say much in Spanish to him except "hello" and "good morning"...) Now, suppose I come home with two chicas, late at night: how do you bring them up in a "discret" way, apart from asking them to be quiet? I am not worried, just asking about the best way as you see it...Can I take them to the roof pool if there other tenants are there or may appear at any time? Of course, I should probably ask Godfather himself.
About travels in Argentina: the bars on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls were mentioned by Pirate. Can you actually get there without having a Brazilian visa?
I heard that the "corner" between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay is particularly interesting(and that's where the Falls are). Any experince there, anybody, apart from the Falls? In a different part of the country, from reading the guidebook, Cordoba looks interesting and inviting too. Have anybody from the Club tried to rent a car and drive around the country -- usually the best way to be free and to see a lot?
I intend to take some Spanish, if I do not get too lazy there after the long nights. And I will definitely contact Roxanne for the tour, and for making introductions to the girls.
Let me ask you: in your first evening in BA, just after you arrived and rested a bit: which girl would you invite? The best, the most beutiful, the hottest? There was one report I have to find again which spoke of such a girl (she was given 10, as I recall)...Nothing like the first impression and the first night, don't you agree?
Thanks for all the good advice!

Leonid,

Being quiet is about all you can do when bringing Chica's back to the apartment. This is most important when you get off the elevator on your floor. There is one other apartment that shares that elevator so don't talk loudly or slam your apartment door and you should be fine.

Speaking of the door. The external doorknob does not turn the latching mechanism, only the key does. The first time I left and pulled the door closed it required a hard pull to get the latch to release, resulting in a loud slam. The trick is to use the key to turn the latch before closing the door.

As for the doormen, there are actually three (day, evening and night). I tipped each of them over the course of my trip. There is no need to do it at any specific time. I just did it when it felt right. After I had seen them a couple of times, and they knew who I was.

The mention of the wine and Domingo's cool demeanor was just an aside. He is actually very nice. It's just that he's the boss and acts more rigid and professional than the other two. He also tends not to smile. One day as I left to go do some grocery shopping, I stopped and told him how much I enjoyed the Argentine red wines asked him for his recommendation. He told me about a red he really liked called Valmont. It was only about 7 pesos. Unfortunately, it was more of a Rose than a hearty red, so I didn't care for it as much as he does.

When I returned with my groceries, I stopped and pulled out an extra bottle of the Valmont and gave it to him as a thank you. He lit up like a Christmas tree and was all smiles whenever I saw him again.

Have a great time,
Sterling

I showed my appreciation in practically the exact the same manner as Sterling, included the maintenance staff and extended my offering when there was no other tenants around. As the days and weeks wore on I would bring a big bag of medialunes for the staff to share while on break drinking their herbal tea.

You will have no problem with Domingo. He does not speak English but will help you with your Spanish pronunciation. You will have no problems bring your friends to the roof because there are no security personnel monitoring the roof.

I have never traveled out side of BA but have been looking at Mar de Plata as a change of scenery. It is about an hour plane ride from the local airport that you will see from the apartment roof. Mayra can set the whole thing up. It is a small city on the beach but it will be cool during your period. Here is a link to get you started www.mardelplata.gov.ar

One of the best people to contact about your first guest will be Roxanna. She will be able advise you on all matters of your personal preferences and the reliability of your first guest showing up at the apartment. One thing that may be good for you will be to ask for lady who speaks English. I tried to hook up with Libia on www.argentinaprivate.com but Roxanna could not organize a time. A lot of travelers say she is a gem with perfect English but as always YMMV rules the game.

Pancho

Thank you Sterling, Pancho!
Concerning that first date in BA: I re-read Grshel1 reports; he highly prased Abril and Silvina. I tried to write to him, but for some reason I can not send any messages to other members using the "inbox". Let me ask Grshel1 here: do you still think that Abril and Silvina (separately) were some of the best chicas you ever had? If so, would you be comfortable sending to me their phone numbers (especially Silvina's, as Abril is on Internet, right?). I can promise that I will be good to them if we meet. Even if Silvina had plans to leave the "program", perhaps she would still respond...?
Thanks
Leonid

I have been to MDP, but canīt say I was very impressed...think Panama City, Florida without the beach...a tacky, seaside town overrun with tourists in the summer...there are many beautiful sites in Argentina, donīt waste your time on MDP...go to the beaches of Uruguay or take a side trip to Brazil...just my opinion...

Sorry, what is MDP?

Read my posts for a review of MDP - I don't recommend it really... YMMV.

Sorry again, FLhobbyer: I can not find a "review of MDP" using Search, nor any reprts under your handle; what's more, I have no idea what MDP stands for, and how this is related to the previous discussion...please clarify where to look, etc.
Incidentally, other abbreviations are often unfamiliar, such as YMMY, etc. Is there a place where it is all explained? Sorry for these naive questions.
Leonid

MDP = Mar del Plata, a ocean-side resort 1-hr flight from BA.

Leonid,

On the left hand column of the Club Hombre website, click on Dictionary and it'll take you to a definition for "YMMV."

If there's a term that's not on it, you can also check: http://www.angelfire.com/retro/glossary/

(Message edited by Yujin on October 02, 2003)

Thank you Yujin,

I did not know about that useful dictionary.

Have anybody been with Magaly from Platinum.com: the figure looks outstanding; the face s hidden. Using these funny abbreviations, does she provide GFE (sounds like WMD in the military...)
Leonid

Calling all mongers,
My wife and I have been coming to B/A for three years now and finding an apartment every year is like trying to sneak daylight past a rooster. The imobilarias here will eat your lunch when they see you are a white anglosaxon. There is only one way to accomplish this awful job and that is to find a local to interceed for you but only as a spokesman and negotiator. We have started to develope some contacts for this service but are proceeding slowly not to get caught in any leagle crunch. Believe me this is the way as long as you think you can trust your contact.

While I can't offer much advice, I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Argentine business practices. You are absolutely right.

I am looking for an apartment in Buenos Aires for four months starting around the 8thh of October. My prime areas of interest are Barrio Norte, Retiro, or San Martin, Monserrat or San Telmo.. I would like to have two bedrooms, or one big bedroom with a king size bed, a kitchen living dining room and an outside area with no less than 60m2. I also prefer lower floors. Security, centrality and availability to goods and services and ease of access is also important. I are presently staying at a friends apartment in Palermo.. Ie can be reached at 4801-4155 or at carlitos339@hotmail.com . We would appreciate a timely response to this request..

I have a real estate website that has many apartments for rent. (I own 2 of them). They are luxury posh properties. I also started a property management company where I'll manage other apartments.

I also offer properties for sale in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina and Punta del Este.

www.apartmentsba.com

Girls in Argentina better than Brazil Thailand girls better than Brazil. Brazil gone downhill as far as Help is concern. Lots of Favelas and tempermental girls their than in the past.

may i please have godfathers cotact email/ phone. i will be in ba may12th to 18th. Thanks.