Facon Grande

The bathroom was the one drawback for me: there was a sewage smell coming from it. It wasn’t strong enough to spoil the stay, and keeping the door shut contained it. Wi-Fi worked, though it occasionally slowed down. The hotel is well placed for getting around. I could walk to the Buquebus terminal, which made my 7am trip to Montevideo less stressful. It’s also accessible from EZE airport, with the bus stop to and from the airport about a 10-minute walk away. Tourist landmarks and subway stations are within walking distance too. The staff were helpful, spoke good English, and seemed attentive to all their guests. Overall, a good hotel with professional staff in an excellent location.

The breakfast was decent, with plenty of protein choices, and everyone serving it was really polite. The eggs tasted great, though I got a bit of shell in one. Having to ask for everything, even water, got annoying, and the menu never changes, so I think it would get old after a couple of days. The room was the bigger problem. It was tiny and dated, with barely enough space to move around even though I was alone. The shower was rusty, I found several hairs in it, and the toilet needed a tab pulled and set back just right or it would leak all night. From other guests' photos, I suspect I got one of the rooms that hasn't been renovated. I hated spending time there and stayed away whenever I could. The window looked onto another building's wall and was dirty. There weren't enough outlets, so I had to unplug the lamp. I couldn't adjust the temperature myself either. I was cold the first night, then too hot the second, depending on the central setting. I was also surprised by how curt the older man at reception was with me. I wondered if that was just how service was in Argentina, until I watched him laugh and chat quite normally with another white woman. I'm not white, so I did wonder if that was why. It left me shocked. Everyone else I've dealt with in this country has been polite. The photos made the place look nice, which is why I booked it, and the good reviews surprised me. I know it's cheap, but if I'd known what it was like, I'd have paid more to stay somewhere else. I've stayed in plenty of hostels. Don't be fooled by the pictures.

I stayed for almost two months, and the service was phenomenal. Breakfast had really good options, the food was excellent, and for a three-star hotel the room price is a win, especially given the location. A few things could be better: dinner choices, which are better at lunch, could include more affordable options. The smart lock sometimes doesn't work properly. Also, the air conditioning is centralized and can make the room cold at night. There was no way in my room to shut it off or stop the airflow.

We liked the tasty breakfasts and the friendly people. We don't speak Spanish, but the reception staff were always willing to help us. The hotel is right in the city center, beside Florida Street, where you can exchange dollars. Our room was small, and with four suitcases it felt cramped. It was also very inconvenient that reception controls the air conditioning, so we couldn't turn on the cooling ourselves.