Hotel Review: Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buenos Aires
Park Tower emerged from the 1996 expansion of the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel, and at the time, it became the largest hotel complex in Latin America. I was arriving in Buenos Aires from Montevideo, Uruguay, and the Park Tower’s location—just a few blocks from the ferry terminal—made it a convenient choice. As part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Luxury Collection, the hotel also piqued my interest; I had an exceptional experience with the brand during a previous stay at the Josun Palace in Seoul and was eager to relive that same sense of opulence. With a Suite Night Award to use before year’s end, I booked a stay at Park Tower, as I was curious to experience the charm of a property that proudly embraces its old-world elegance. Here is my review of Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buenos Aires.
Park Tower, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is located at Av. Leandro N. Alem 1193, C1001 Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Location
The Park Tower Hotel is located in the Retiro district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Just a short walk from the hotel, guests can enjoy Plaza San Martín—a historic park surrounded by architectural landmarks like Torre Monumental. Teatro Colón is also nearby, and it happens to be one of the most famous opera houses in the world, known for its stunning architecture and exceptional acoustics. Galerías Pacífico is a few blocks away, and it’s known for its beautiful murals inside. For art enthusiasts, MALBA presents a significant collection of Latin American art. It's a bit further from the hotel but well worth the visit for its contemporary exhibitions and cultural events.
Lobby & Check-In Review
Since the Park Tower Hotel is physically connected to the Sheraton Buenos Aires, guests can enter through the Sheraton, though Park Tower also boasts its own dedicated entrance. Stepping inside, I was greeted by an atmosphere steeped in tradition and elegance.
The lobby instantly immersed me in an atmosphere of refined luxury.
The lobby exuded classic luxury, with gold and cream tones complemented by rich brown wood furnishings. Tall marble columns drew the eye upward to the soaring ceilings, while antique furniture and ornate paintings added a touch of timeless sophistication.
The antique furnishings and paintings in the lobby echoed a strong European influence.
At the heart of the lobby was a cozy lounge, offering small bites and coffee from 11 AM to 8 PM daily. In the evenings, a pianist filled the space with gentle jazz melodies, enhancing the refined ambiance.
I recommend visiting the lobby bar in the evening, when live jazz music sets a sophisticated tone.
Several individual check-in desks were staffed, and I was warmly welcomed with a smile. The front desk representative confirmed that my Suite Night Award had been approved and informed me of my upgrade to a suite. He also thanked me for my Titanium Elite status and noted that Park Tower shares select amenities with the adjoining Sheraton, including the gym, pool, and executive lounge.
Complimentary muffins and bottled water were offered in the lobby as a quick snack for guests during check-in or check-out.
After a brief check-in, I received my key cards and made my way up to the seventh floor, where my suite was located.
Living Room Review
Continuing the theme of classic interiors, the living room felt like a step back in time. Gold-hued carpets stretched across the space, setting the tone for a design rooted firmly in tradition. An old-fashioned sofa, matching drapes, and gold-accented furnishings filled the room.
The living room was a quintessential display of traditional luxury, defined by its classic style and rich color palette.
While cohesive, the abundance of cream, ivory, and gold created a sense of visual fatigue. What might once have felt luxurious now came across as dated and overdone. On the glass-top coffee table, a thoughtful welcome amenity awaited: a bottle of Argentine Pinot Noir paired with a small serving of walnuts in honey.
I was delighted to receive a local bottle of Argentine wine as a welcome gift—thank you, Park Tower!
I genuinely appreciated the gesture and the recognition of my Marriott Bonvoy Elite status, and the wine itself was excellent. Across from the couch, a wooden media stand held a modest flat-screen TV, noticeably lacking smart features.
Classic style is one thing, but keeping up with modern technology is another story.
The attached cabinetry contained clean glassware and a mini fridge, though the bare interior felt oddly inconsistent with the ornate decor elsewhere in the suite. Toward the entrance, a sleek black marble-topped work desk offered a welcome contrast to the dominant warm tones.
The artwork and paintings on the walls added a touch of character to the suite.
A Nespresso machine and complimentary bottled water sat atop a miniature credenza, curiously low to the ground and barely reaching knee height.
I couldn’t quite understand why the Nespresso machine was placed so unusually low.
While the traditional design may still appeal to some older guests, the overuse of warm colors and antique furniture left the space feeling heavy and stuffy. For me, it was clear that the suite was long overdue for a thoughtful refresh
Bedroom Review
The bedroom continued the classic design motif of the living room, with the same gold-hued carpeting, low ceilings, and old-fashioned furnishings. The king-sized bed offered a restful night’s sleep, though the linens felt noticeably worn and lacked the crisp freshness I’ve come to expect from boutique hotels.
The bedroom featured the same gold-hued carpeting, low ceilings, and vintage furnishings as the living room.
Each bedside was flanked by a spacious nightstand topped with black marble. To my surprise, there were various switches conveniently placed to control the room lights and the "Do Not Disturb" sign by the entrance. While not as technologically advanced as modern luxury hotels, their presence was appreciated given the traditional aesthetic.
The room’s aesthetics embodied the most traditional elements of luxury design.
Wall-mounted, gold-trimmed bedside lamps added to the room’s vintage charm, reinforcing the overall sense that this was a space untouched by time. Thankfully, recessed ceiling lights helped brighten the room, and a window beside the bed welcomed in a generous amount of natural light. From there, I had a direct view of the Torre Monumental—a historic clock tower gifted by the British to commemorate the centennial of Argentina’s May Revolution.
From the bedroom, I had a direct view of the Torre Monumental—a clock tower gifted by the British to commemorate Argentina’s centennial of the May Revolution of 1810.
Across from the bed, a second TV was mounted on the wall and, fortunately, was much larger than the one in the living room. As expected, it lacked smart TV capabilities.
Compared to the bedroom TV, the living room’s entertainment system was in desperate need of an upgrade.
The rest of the bedroom was sparsely furnished, with a single lounge chair occupying the remaining space. There is no doubt that the bedroom feels outdated. For a hotel with five-star aspirations, the design was like stepping into a bygone era. While the old-world charm might appeal to an older clientele, I found the combination of low ceilings, thick carpets, and dated furnishings uninviting. Park Tower has the potential to reclaim its stature as a refined, boutique property, but it will require a significant refresh to fully realize that promise.
Bathroom Review
My corner suite featured a half bathroom near the entrance and a full master bathroom connected to the bedroom. The half bath was compact, with a single-sink vanity topped in the same black marble used throughout the suite.
The conservative luxury aesthetic carried through into the bathroom.
Gold-accented fixtures and ivory wallpaper continued the suite’s traditional aesthetic, which carried into the master bathroom as well. The master bath mirrored the same design language, featuring a slightly larger vanity with a more expansive countertop and a wider mirror to match.
Some of the wood trim on the vanity was falling apart, likely due to poor ventilation.
Still, the narrow layout limited functionality. Across from the sink sat a whirlpool bathtub, sized for a single adult.
Having a separate bathtub with jets was a nice amenity, though it was smaller than it appeared.
The jets worked properly, and the toiletries were from So Vegan by Le Marque—the same product line I encountered at the Buenos Aires Marriott.
The toiletries at the Park Tower Hotel didn’t align with its premium identity.
While I didn’t mind the fruity scent, I couldn’t help but feel it clashed with the Park Tower’s old-world charm. A more robust, earthy fragrance would have better aligned with the hotel's classic character. At the far end of the bathroom were a walk-in shower and a separate water closet. The water closet, though small, featured a traditional bidet and offered a decent level of privacy despite the lack of an exhaust fan.
The master bathroom featured a water closet with a traditional bidet but, like the rest of the bathroom, lacked proper ventilation.
To my surprise, the shower was equipped with a rainfall showerhead, which provided a refreshing experience.
Despite upgraded features like the rainfall showerhead, the bathroom was clearly overdue for renovation.
Like the rest of the suite, the bathrooms showed their age. While I appreciated touches like the upgraded showerhead, other elements—such as the dated gold fixtures and deteriorating wood finishes on the vanities—made it clear that a renovation is long overdue. Whether the hotel chooses to preserve its vintage identity or move toward a more modern expression of luxury, it’s time to commit to a direction and invest in the necessary updates.
Gym & Pool Review
The gym and pool were located on the third floor and shared with the adjacent Sheraton hotel. After walking through a connecting tunnel, I arrived at the gym, and it was densely packed with exercise equipment. Cardio machines like treadmills and stationary bikes lined the walls, accompanied by small wall-mounted TVs for entertainment.
The gym was located on the Sheraton side, making it somewhat inconvenient to access from the Park Tower Hotel.
Each elliptical also featured its own personal screen, allowing guests to choose their preferred content. A flat bench with an Olympic-grade barbell and weight plates encouraged more serious strength training, and while the equipment wasn’t the newest, it was well-maintained.
The fitness center was well-equipped and ready for guests to tackle their workout challenges.
A full set of dumbbells and a variety of strength machines were also available, along with a dedicated space for low-impact workouts.
The workout equipment wasn’t the newest, but it was well-maintained.
This area included tools like medicine balls and kettlebells, and wall plaques demonstrated strength, recovery, and movement prep exercises, lending the space a feel reminiscent of a physical therapy clinic.
A dedicated area featured equipment and accessories for bodyweight exercises and recovery workouts.
After my workout, I checked out the pools. The hotel offers two: a large outdoor pool and a smaller indoor one. Since I visited in November, the outdoor pool was closed for the season.
From my bedroom, I could see the outdoor swimming pool, which was closed during my visit.
The indoor pool, though compact, was slightly heated and featured a skylight ceiling that brought in natural light.
Fortunately, the indoor pool was open, and the skylight ceiling allowed natural light to brighten the space.
Lounge beds and chairs surrounded the pool, but the atmosphere felt more functional than relaxing—better suited for supervising children than leisurely lounging.
While functional, the indoor pool lacked any sense of glamour.
While I couldn’t fully experience the outdoor pool, its size suggested a more enjoyable experience in warmer months. Overall, both the gym and indoor pool were functional and clean, but they carried the same dated design as the rest of the Park Tower Hotel. From a usability standpoint, the facilities met basic expectations, but with thoughtful modernization, they could better reflect the upscale standards of the Luxury Collection brand.
Lounge Review—Sheraton Club Lounge
Similar to the fitness center, the Park Tower Hotel shared its executive lounge access with the adjacent Sheraton hotel. The Sheraton Club Lounge, located on the 22nd floor of the Sheraton, was open daily from 2 PM to 8 PM. After checking in, I decided to stop by for a quick bite before heading out to explore Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, a receptionist greeted and checked me in. The lounge was outfitted with small dining tables, casual seating, and TVs for entertainment.
The executive lounge was technically located on the Sheraton side, shared with Sheraton guests.
A bar-height countertop lined the windows, offering guests a place to relax while enjoying views of the city. However, during my afternoon visit, the sunlight streaming through the windows was so intense that most guests opted to close the blinds, obscuring the otherwise pleasant view.
Perched on the 22nd floor, the lounge offered a pleasant view of Buenos Aires.
As for the food offerings, the lounge served a modest spread of cold salads, premade sandwiches, fruit cups, and pastries.
Light snacks and pastries were served, most of which clearly carried over from breakfast service
I genuinely enjoyed the salad, which featured a diverse mix of vegetables. Unfortunately, the rest of the items fell short, particularly the sandwiches, which were noticeably dry. Compounding the issue, none of the dishes were labeled, making it difficult for guests to identify ingredients or avoid potential allergens.
The salad was the highlight of the spread, as other items—especially the sandwiches—were noticeably dry.
Alcohol was not served in the lounge, and instead, guests could help themselves to juice, coffee, and tea. Given the limited selection and subpar food quality, I would only recommend visiting the lounge for a quick drink if you already have complimentary access. It is certainly not worth paying extra for.
Breakfast Review—St. Regis Restaurant
Breakfast was served on the second floor from 6 AM to 11 AM on weekdays and until 11:30 AM on weekends. Despite being called the St. Regis Restaurant, it has no affiliation with the renowned St. Regis brand. As a Marriott Titanium Elite member, I received a complimentary breakfast and arrived right at opening.
Breakfast was served at the St. Regis Restaurant on the second floor, which has no affiliation with the actual St. Regis brand.
The restaurant’s traditional décor was consistent with the hotel’s overall aesthetic. I chose a seat by the window, where a waiter promptly took my coffee order and brought over a glass of orange juice.
In the early morning, Buenos Aires looked almost deserted, especially with a light drizzle setting the scene.
The breakfast buffet, however, was underwhelming—especially when compared to other properties in the Luxury Collection portfolio. I began with the hot food stations, which offered Vienna sausages, scrambled eggs, roasted vegetables, and potatoes.
The breakfast buffet was compact but initially appeared promising.
Unfortunately, everything was lukewarm at best. Although burners were in place, it was clear they had just been switched on as service began. I even tried digging to the bottom of the trays in hopes of warmer servings, but it was obvious the kitchen wasn’t adequately prepped to welcome early guests.
Unfortunately, most hot items were cold, suggesting the kitchen wasn’t prepared for early guests.
Thankfully, omelets were made to order. I asked for mine with cheese, ham, and vegetables, and since I was the only diner at the time, it arrived quickly. The omelet was flavorful and came with sides of avocado and bacon, though once again, the bacon was cold and clearly pre-cooked.
The made-to-order omelet was solid, but the bacon was clearly pre-cooked and served cold.
Hoping for a redeeming pastry selection, I was initially excited to see fresh honey dripping from a large honeycomb and a spread of dulce de leche and other classic accompaniments.
Honey and Nutella were available, but when in Argentina, dulce de leche is the spread of choice—for coffee or toast.
However, like the hot items, the pastries were served cold, even below room temperature. Biting into a churro felt like biting into one straight from the refrigerator.
The pastries looked fresh from the oven but were surprisingly cold, not even reaching room temperature.
Disappointed, I turned to the salad bar. Since the ingredients were meant to be cold, I had no complaints here. A selection of cold cuts, cheese, and pickled vegetables helped salvage the meal. I dressed my salad simply with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
On the bright side, the chilled temperature helped keep the charcuterie items fresh.
Pre-cut fruit and cereals were also available, but the fruit appeared neither fresh nor appetizing, so I skipped it entirely.
The pre-cut fruit didn’t look fresh, so I decided to skip it altogether.
To finish, I opted for tea. The buffet provided a full teapot for the table, which would be convenient for groups. Additionally, guests had the option to try yerba mate, offering a nice local touch.
Yerba mate, a traditional South American caffeinated drink made from dried holly leaves, was also available for guests to try.
I truly wanted to enjoy the breakfast—the service was warm and attentive—but the lack of preparation and cold food made it difficult to overlook the shortcomings. Seeing staff place food name cards midway through service only reinforced the impression of disorganization. Unless the buffet improves significantly, I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending it, even with complimentary access.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The location of the Park Tower Hotel suited my itinerary perfectly. Traveling from Montevideo, Uruguay, I appreciated that the ferry terminal was just a few blocks away. Beyond that initial convenience, the hotel’s position in the Retiro neighborhood placed me within easy reach of many of Buenos Aires' major attractions, making it a practical and well-situated base for exploring the city.
Negatives
The Park Tower Hotel is rich with traditional luxury details, but despite my upgrade to a corner suite, the classic design felt more tacky than timeless to me. Modern amenities expected at a luxury property were noticeably lacking, and the hotel clearly shows signs of needing renovation. While this old-school charm might appeal to older guests, younger travelers like myself may find it outdated.
My breakfast experience at the St. Regis Restaurant was equally disappointing. Arriving shortly after opening, I found several dishes still cold and not properly prepared to welcome guests. Overall, the quality of the buffet left much to be desired.
Summary
The Park Tower Hotel in Buenos Aires is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Luxury Collection portfolio and is steeped in traditional opulence, featuring gold-hued furniture and carpets throughout. While I used a Suite Night Award to secure a corner suite upgrade, the hotel’s outdated finishes and classic design felt less appealing to me than they might to an older clientele. Signs of aging were evident across the property—in the gym, indoor pool, and executive lounge, which is shared with the adjacent Sheraton Hotel. Although its location in the Retiro neighborhood suited my itinerary well, I would hesitate to recommend the Park Tower Hotel to visitors unless they have a clear understanding of its traditional style and need for renovation.
