Living the High Life in Buenos Aires

By 21 October, 2020

The great cities of South America are global metropolises in their own right, with enough diversity, cultural clout and magnetism to take on London and New York and hold their own. While São Paulo may be associated with finance, Santiago de Chile with technology, and Rio de Janeiro with beautiful women, the shimmering city of Buenos Aires beats them all on one front in particular; glamour.

Considered a sophisticated “Paris of the South” since the first European aristocrats flocked to its shores back in the 19th Century, Buenos Aires has carefully cultivated a confident image of itself as a high-living, cosmopolitan capital where you can really have it all. From the highest hotels, to the sexiest bars and the best shopping in the Western Hemisphere, here’s how to live large in Buenos Aires.

Daytime

Once you’ve landed at the sparkling Ezeiza (EZE) airport, you’ll need to know where to go. For the best hotels in town, head to the celebrity-studded Retiro neighbourhood and check into a luxury hotel, long synonymous with old-world wealth and legendary parties. Afterwards move on over to the luxurious Recoleta shopping district, populated by many a boutique PR firm, and comparable to Fifth Avenue or London’s Knightsbridge, where you can gawk at all the impossibly glamorous trophy wives dropping thousands of dollars on a dress for the pet dog. If you’re feeling flush do a little browsing, but stay away from the big global brands and instead opt for acclaimed Argentinian boutique designers like Pablo Ramirez or Martin Churba. Afterwards cap it off with a deliciously decadent lunch at the on-trend Duhau Restaurant, which serves up modern Argentinian fare with luxurious twists.

Nighttime

When the sun goes down, Buenos Aires comes alive, and no trip to the city would ever be complete without a completely over the top night of partying. The city is home to one of the most famous casinos in South America, the iconic Casino Buenos Aires, where you can hobnob with the rich and famous over a game of blackjack and a world-class martini, just make sure you practice first online, so you don’t embarrass yourself in front of the great and good. Afterwards, wet your whistle a little further with some perfectly-crafted rooftop cocktails atop the SKY Bar, voted one of the best in the world recently. Take it all in with an Argentinian staple, the gut-punchingly strong Gancia batido cocktail, made up of Gancia, lemon juice, sugar and ice, shaken not stirred.

Once you’re sufficiently buzzed it’s time to put on those dancing shoes and party until dawn at the always raucous Jet Lounge for the ultimate high-class clubbing experience. Entry into the sacred place is usually all about who you are and who you know, but as long as you’re able to dress the part in classic Buenos Aires glamour, then you should have no problem making it past the famously terrifying door staff.

If you have any tips for high-rollers heading to Buenos Aires, share your wisdom in the comments below.


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