Hotel Lyon

The location was the bright spot, within walking distance of some places of interest and a 10-30 minute drive from others. The building, facilities, and rooms are all old and in mediocre condition. Staff were friendly but slow, and housekeeping was mediocre too. Watch the bill: I had to pay twice for "extras" that weren't included in the first payment when we booked. Wi-Fi was terrible, with no signal in the bedroom, only near the room's main door. The beds were too soft, and the pillows were extremely small and soft. For the price, I can't recommend this hotel.

This is a nice pick for budget travelers who want somewhere safe and clean in Buenos Aires. The building has the charm of an older place, and it's very close to the city center. Rooms are roomy and very clean, the breakfast buffet is great, and the staff are welcoming and keen to help. There's a grocery store right on the corner that's open late, which is handy. The nearby water museum is a must-see, and entry is free. I always enjoy hotels like this that aren't part of a big international chain.

The room was the serious problem. I sent the hotel details about the mold on the walls in room 608 because it felt life-threatening. I'm not posting the photos here. Apart from that, the staff and service were great, and I appreciated that one staff member spoke a little English since my Spanish wasn't enough. Breakfast was good, though I would've liked cheese and ham.

It's an older, budget place, but it worked nicely as a base for a half-day stop in Buenos Aires. Having a room meant we could change and freshen up, and after checkout management kept our bags so we could keep exploring. I'd stay again in the same situation.