Hotel Artico

The afternoon and evening receptionists were attentive and friendly, and for the price the room was acceptable. It had fresh paint, though it was messy and needed general upkeep. Then I found a horrible cockroach when I went to shower this morning. Disgusting. I mentioned it when I returned the key, but the receptionist didn't seem to care. I was annoyed that I didn't even make a complaint. That doesn't seem normal, and I wouldn't stay here again.

The location makes it easy to walk to both the beach and the city center, and breakfast was good, with breads, pastries, cereal, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and more. The dining room can also be used for lunch or dinner, and they provide some cutlery. Staff paid close attention, and the room had the expected amenities for the price: comfy pillows and mattress, TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, and a mini-fridge. It had been renovated, but the wardrobe had no doors, so it looked unfinished rather than open. There was a lingering cigarette smell, including on the clean sheets and bedspread. I think that may be common in older Mar del Plata hotels, though air fresheners might help. It has good and bad points and is priced accordingly, but I wouldn't choose it for more than two days, which is how long I stayed.

The room was cleaned every day and everything was spotless. Breakfast was fantastic, and the rest of the hotel was excellent too. The blonde girl and the cashier were both so kind and did a great job. There was also a shoulder-length-haired girl with bangs who was really unfriendly and never even greeted us. They should have someone friendlier like the blonde one. We're heading home very happy, and I appreciate the attention. I don't know if we'll come back, but anyone who gets to stay here won't regret it. Everything was spectacular.

You can eat as much as you like at the breakfast buffet. The coffee was just okay and the juices were artificial, but there were several kinds of tea. The location is the clear highlight, close to everything, and the staff treated us well and tried to sort out any questions or problems. The hotel itself is very basic for a budget place. The beds were tiny, and so was the bathroom. The toilet was almost under the small sink, making it hard to wash your face without hitting the shelf above. The shower felt cramped too, barely enough room to stand, let alone soap up without brushing the walls. The air conditioning and cable TV both worked perfectly.