Travel is nearly always rewarding as we explore new places and learn new things. Such was the case several years ago when my son and I took a 10-day “boys trip” to Argentina. Thankfully, #British_Airways came through yet again as my Avios points transferred easily for First Class travel on #AmericanAir to Miami and onward to Buenos Aires. We began our journey at the very easy to navigate #RDUAirport. After check in and a quick stop at the Admiral Club next to Gate C-3, we boarded the B737 for our first leg. This roughly 2-hour flight was on a then brand-new aircraft. It was so pristine it even smelled new, almost like a new car you’d drive home from the dealership. Dinner was served in the front cabin aboard this early-evening flight and we landed at the #iflymia Airport on time. With about 2 and a half hours before our long-haul connecting flight to Argentina, we once again stopped by an Admirals Club - this one located near Gate D-30.
The club reception desk is just inside the entrance while the lounge itself is one level up. Seating here is plentiful with adjacent tables while outlets are available for use at every seat. Across from the main lounge is the dining area which includes any number of larger tables and high tops as well as a staffed bar. While we explored this lounge, we discovered it curves around with floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the busy terminal below. In the back are several daybeds along with a business center with some workstations. There’s even a play area for children located closer towards the main entrance. The food choices offered on the buffet were decent and appropriate for our time of day. The club bar had a selection of complimentary house drinks, in addition to premium spirits and food for purchase (remember, this was all pre-COVID). The bathrooms were well maintained and shower suites could be reserved through the reception desk staff. These were quite spacious, with a sink, toilet and walk-in shower featuring toiletries from CO Bigelow. Overall, it appeared this Miami club, like others in their network, was clean, quiet and comfortable. It proved to be a very pleasant way to pass the time before our next flight.
American was then flying B777-200 aircraft with First Class cabins and we boarded through Door 2 Left. The cabin was large, taking up the entire space between doors one and 2. There were 16 seats spread across 4 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration and we soon found our way to Seats 2D and 2G which were next to one another in the middle of the second row. Although not overly private, these seats were large and really comfortable with enough storage space for whatever personal items you wanted to keep close by during the flight. They were even equipped with ottomans to rest your feet. Each seat swiveled up to 90 degrees so, in addition to facing forward, you could also face your seat mate. Awaiting us at our seats were pillows, blankets, slippers and 2 well-stocked amenity kits. The purser soon came by to introduce herself and next our flight attendant handed out menus and presented us with a pre-departure beverage choice (water, juice or champagne). In addition, AA-branded pajamas were made available to us on this overnight journey. I’m a big fan of wearing pajamas in flight when offered. Not only are they way more comfortable than your traveling clothes but you‘ll sleep better and look better on arrival. There’s no downside!
We were soon offered #Bose noise-canceling headphones, a nice perk for American’s First and Business Class passengers who didn‘t travel with their own set. The entertainment system was on par with other carriers’ offerings at the time but not much to write home about now compared with today’s bigger seat-back screens and streaming options. The screen itself was quite small since it was designed to fit within the center console. To access the screen, you had to press down on it forcefully so that it would ”pop up” for viewing. After that, a number of movies and TV shows were available for viewing. Of course, multiple audio channels were always on hand to enjoy with the Bose headphones.
Thirty minutes after boarding, we were taxiing for takeoff and were airborne soon afterwards at about 10: 45pm. Our First Class cabin service began with cocktails and warm nuts. Following that, I chose the Cilantro Cured Salmon with toasted cumin creme fraiche as a starter while my son selected the Teriyaki Glazed Mushrooms with marinated lotus root. These we followed by a Sweet Potato soup course and next a salad of Spinach and Frisee with strawberries and blue cheese, served with either a blue cheese dressing or a spicy sesame vinaigrette. An assortment of breads and rolls also accompanied our meals. Four different entree choices were on the menu and I ordered the Boursin Crusted Beef Filet with creamy demi-glace, mashed red-skin potatoes and sautéed kale. My son opted for the Saffron Gnocchi with cherry tomato sauce, asparagus, mushrooms and Parmesan cheese. Gusset Grande Reserve Champagne was on the beverage list, along with several white wines and a number of red wines. We both chose the Catena Malbec Appellation Vista Flores from Mendoza, Argentina as we were heading for that city towards the end of our trip. It was described as having “a bouquet of ripe, red fruit aromas with delicate floral notes of lavender and violet.”
The wine and the meal selections were both exceptionally good and we topped them off with American’s Traditional Ice Cream Sundaes for dessert. You can’t go wrong with vanilla ice cream with a choice of hot fudge, butterscotch, strawberry sauce or seasonal berry toppings, whipped cream and pecans. Once our meals were completed, we were offered bottles of water as well as turndown service. With our seats in lie-flat mode, we soon settled in for a nap and cleared a good 4 hours before the morning light streamed in the cabin. Still pretty full from dinner, we only asked for juice, coffee and the lighter, continental breakfast offering. Our flight landed at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) about 9 hours and 20 minutes after takeoff at approximately 11:00am the next morning.
After clearing Argentine Customs and Immigration formalities, we met our driver who transported us to the Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires Hotel in about 45 minutes time. This gorgeous, 5-star property is in Recoleta, considered to be the capital city’s most upscale neighborhood. It dates back to 1932, inspired by Le Chateau des Marais in France. Privately owned by a family until 2002, it was then sold to a developer, who in partnership with Hyatt, sought to retain all the building’s glory while also creating a contemporary space suitable for the Park Hyatt brand. They succeeded brilliantly! The hotel opened in 2006 with a “contemporary” building - the Posadas Tower - and the restored palace. Offering 165 spacious rooms and suites, this Park Hyatt is a landmark hotel with a dedicated staff for whom no request appeared to be too large or too small. We checked into a light-filled, twin-bedded deluxe room in the Posadas Tower which measured about 452 square feet. The floor to ceiling windows afforded a great view of the neighborhood. (We were told the Vatican Embassy was directly across the street.) Our room featured a writing desk, a walk-in closet, bathroom with separate shower and tub, a Nespresso station, in-room WI-Fi, a large TV and an in-room safe. It was a very relaxing and comfortable place to call home for the next 3 nights.
This is the place to stay in Buenos Aires for its central location and the range of local and international cuisines to enjoy at its top-line restaurants. The Duhau Restaurante & Vinoteca offers sophisticated Argentine cuisine while the Giola Restaurante & Terrazas provides excellent service and al fresco dining with a modern menu of Italian fare. Breakfast, small dishes, light snacks and afternoon tea may be taken at Los Salones del Piano Nobile. Of special note is the Oak Bar, a “club-style” bar with antique oak paneling and an intimate terrace overlooking the hotel gardens. It also features a wood-burning fireplace. We were there in November when the weather conforms to what we’re used to in the spring so the fireplace was not in use at that time but I can imagine it’s much enjoyed during the colder months of the year.
With the Park Hyatt as our base, we wasted no time in exploring the city. I'll tell you all about our visit in a future post.
Until next time...stay safe.
You just had me hooked, and then the post ended - I suppose I will have to await the next instalment ! Are you setting this up for watching as a TV series :-(
Great story but got to ask... did you take notes when you were on the trip or do you just have a really good memory?