HA Posadas Urbano

I chose not to stay because of how the manager handled a disagreement. When I asked whether the quoted room price included taxes, he said it did. I then explained the rule for international visitors, and he raised the price to the same amount he'd first quoted with VAT, after initially quoting it in dollars. I found that outrageous and deliberately deceptive. When I tried to discuss it, he argued, insulted me, and said he was too busy to continue. The other receptionist kept interrupting to back up his incorrect claims. This happened March 27 24, 1600 hrs. The rule I was referring to says international visitors get an automatic refund of the 21% VAT on accommodation when they pay with a foreign credit card or a bank transfer from a foreign bank. It covers hotel stays and other accommodation, and breakfast when included in the lodging cost; other hotel services are excluded and have to be billed separately. Visitors must show a valid passport or ID proving they live abroad and pay with a non-Argentine card or foreign bank transfer. The refund is handled at billing, with no extra paperwork. The rule also says that removing VAT on accommodation, together with a favorable exchange rate, makes Argentina more affordable to visit. After reading other reviews, I can see this isn't the first time the hotel has reportedly broken the rules and upset clients. That doesn't reflect well on a supposedly 4 star hotel.

The location worked well for our day trip to the Jesuits ruins in Paraguay, and the rooms are spacious. We didn't try the pool. But the street noise comes straight through the poor windows, with cars, trucks, and all the usual sounds of an urban area. Light sleepers should bring earplugs. There was an old stained carpet throughout the room, with a dusty smell that came and went. Breakfast also had a rather ridiculous COVID rule: guests weren't allowed to serve themselves at the buffet.

The best parts of Hotel Urbano were the central location and the really helpful staff. It's an easy walk to shops, restaurants, and attractions in central Posadas, and the waterfront is not too far away, or a short, cheap taxi ride. Check-in and checkout were easy. The restaurant had a decent, reasonably priced selection for dinner, drinks, and room service. There are also a pool, sauna, and spa, but we didn't have time to use them. Laundry, which we asked about, was expensive compared with other hotels in Argentina. We stayed for two nights from 22nd June 2022. We paid with Australian Qantas Frequent Flyer Points, 26,997 points, which was equivalent to $231.50AUD or $19,777ARS total. Our room was large and laid out well, with a big bed, small bar fridge, table, and chairs. The furnishings were standard, but the extra space made it feel special. The bathroom was nice, with a shower-bath, a large counter, and a mirror. Unfortunately, they left just one small, flat pillow and had no extras, so sleeping was uncomfortable. Noise and cleanliness were the big letdowns. Hotel Urbano is right in the busy city, and without double glazing or extra soundproofing, every engine, motorbike, horn, and loud pedestrian sounded as if they were in the room. I'm a light sleeper and try not to judge a place on noise alone, but this was something else. The carpets had questionable stains and lifted in places into waves, and there were off-white stains on the sheets. Those issues quickly brought down our first impression. Breakfast was disappointing too. There wasn't much choice, and staff put each item on your plate even though it was a buffet. I assume that was a COVID measure, but asking for every extra bite or drink felt awkward. The hotel seemed busy with business travelers, though I'd still recommend it for its location. There's a good range of services, but for the price we expected a bit more. It was decent, with location and friendly staff as its strongest points.

We only stayed one night while waiting to cross into Paraguay the next day, and I wish we could have spent longer. The breakfast was amazing, with fruit, medialunas, eggs, potatoes, and more. At check-in, the front desk associate was so friendly and helpful. We thought we'd walk across the bridge, but he explained that taking the train was easier and not expensive. We hadn't even known there was a train. I'd definitely come back.