Gay travelers to Argentina’s capital city will not have to look too hard for gay hotels in Buenos Aires. Actually, the city’s gay-friendly and safe to explore. Argentina’sconsidered one of the most gay friendly countries in the world with very progressive LGBTQ laws. Gay Buenos Aires bloomed with homosexuality being legalized in the country in 1853. It came way ahead of the United Kingdom and the United States. Not surprisingly, Buenos Aires is considered to be one of Latin America’s gay capitals. Whilst there are no specific gay districts in the city, the Palermo neighborhood is where you’ll note in your journal: Gay bars Buenos Aires.
Gay Buenos Aires doesn’t just center around the Palermo area but extends to San Telmo, Retiro, Puerto Madero, and Recoleta. Upscale Recoleta has some beautiful European architecture and is close to many of the tourist attractions while San Telmo has one of the best flea markets in the world. The former industrial port, Puerto Madero, underwent a massive transformation to emerge as one of the more trendy and vibrant neighborhoods.
Our reviews of hotels in various parts of the city in Argentina will help you make the right choice on your next visit. However, no matter where you stay in the city, commuting is fairly simple via the metro and taxis. If you’re interested in exploring the attractions of the city we recommend the full day private walking tour.
Alvear Palace Hotel
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Magnificent French-inspired architecture and design make the gay friendly Alvear Palace hotel a true luxury. What you’ll love about the hotel is the huge wellness spa complex featuring saunas, pressure showers, relaxation rooms, and saunas. You can also relax at the rooftop indoor pool which has a pool bar. If all this isn’t enough, you can whet your appetite in either of the two onsite restaurants or have a drink at the two different bars that are a part of the hotel.
Rooms equipped with modern amenities are stylish and comfortable. There is an exclusive service for rooms that are located on the 10th and 11th floor. It’s the little details as good as any in the USA that add to the charm of your stay here. From toiletries by Hermes, Paris, to fresh fruit in the room and a host of facilities, you’ll probably never want to leave the environs of this gay hotel in Buenos Aires. If you do venture out, there are plenty of things to do in the stylish La Recoleta neighborhood to keep you busy. For one, the beautiful Recoleta Cemetery is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel while Palermo’s gay bars are about a 10-minute drive away. Some of them are the best gay bars Buenos Aires.
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Be Hollywood
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The four-star Be Hollywood Hotel is bang in the center of Palermo Hollywood, the cinema district of Buenos Aires. It’s also just a few minutes from some of the main attractions in the city and is also located close to the pulsating nightlife of the city. The popular gay bar Peuteo is about a 15-minute walk from here whilst the disco Amerika is less than a 15-minute drive away. This urban chic boutique gay hotel in Buenos Aires is great for those who have an eye for design and fashion.
Tastefully designed rooms are equipped with all the comforting elements that you would look out for in a good hotel. You can expect free wifi, LCD screens with cable TV a writing desk and a minibar. Higher category rooms have bathtubs with a hydromassage and shower box. Guests can also relax at the terrace with solarium and a heated pool.
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Hotel Clasico
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Centrally located with easy access to the nightlife and attractions of the city this is one of the gay hotels in Buenos Aires. It’s an ideal base for travelers. A little over a kilometer away is the popular Plaza Italia Square, and Plaza Serrano Square is only 700 meters away. You’ll never run out of places to eat as the Palermo is Buenos Aires’ gastronomic area. There’s always something happening in this lively district so you can be sure that you’ll never miss out on anything if you choose to stay at Hotel Clasico.
The rooms here have a modern and lively decor with detailed furnishings and are outfitted with all the necessary amenities. Guests can also enjoy a meal at the in-house restaurant or relax on the sun terrace. There is also a fitness center for those looking to keep fit during their time out.
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Esplendor Plaza Francia
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Esplendor Plaza Francia is located in the upscale Recoleta district and ideal for those interested in the local attractions and nightlife. Flux Bar is hardly a ten-minute walk from the hotel. The National Museum of Fine Arts and Plaza Francia are also very close by. Alternatively, you could customize your own private tour of Buenos Aires to discover the attractions that interest you. The hotel also offers panoramic views of the city.
Airconditioned rooms, LCD TVs and Nespresso machines are some of the amenities that you can expect here. If you’re in the mood to splurge we recommend the VIP suite which has an amazing view of the surroundings. The hotel also has a large art collection and a fitness center.
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Faena Hotel
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If you’re looking to indulge yourself with a bit of style and luxury, we recommend the Faena Hotel. It’s not one of the gay hotels in Buenos Aires it is gay-friendly. Housed in an impressive building in the upscale Puerto Madero area, this chic 5-star hotel will definitely appeal to you. Luxury oozes out of every corner of the hotel, from the long hallway with its red rug and black horsehair bench to the Library Lounge and the gold and white Bistro Sur. Spacious elegant rooms that are furnished with tasteful touches add to the experience of staying at this gay hotel in Buenos Aires. Some of the rooms look out onto beautiful views of the river and the surroundings.
An inviting swimming pool with a huge crown in the middle, a pool bar serving cocktails, a huge gym and an excellent spa are some of the other amenities that you can indulge in at this luxurious hotel. The hotel also hosts the best tango show in Buenos Aires, Rojo Tango.
The new vibrant and modern area of the city, formerly the port, was transformed into one of the more happening areas. For a different view of the city, we recommend the Puerto Madero, River Plate Cruise.
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Mio Buenos Aires
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Mio is located in the upscale Recoleta district not very far from the famous Recoleta Cemetery and Plaza Francia. The first thing that strikes you about the hotel is the style. Exuding style from every corner, this gay-friendly boutique hotel in Buenos Aires is a great place for those who appreciate art and class. The hotel’s lobby resembles an artist’s canvas with giant butterflies and plants. Art exhibitions showcasing local artists are often held here. If art is your cup of high then we suggest the Graffiti Art & Wine Walking tour of Palermo during the day as there is plenty of nightlife around to keep you busy at night.
Spacious guest rooms feature stylish modern decor with natural wood elements and modern amenities. Some of these elegantly designed rooms even have a carved wooden tub in the center, crafted by artist Mario Dasso. The hotel also has a library lounge and an onsite restaurant. Guests can also relax in the heated indoor pool or indulge in a spa treatment.
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Ilum Experience Home
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Opened in early 2011, this is one of the gay hotels in Buenos Aires is an ideal base for your exploration around the city. Located in a quieter area of the Palermo Hollywood district, on a tree-lined cobblestone street, this unique hotel puts you close to where all the action is. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the neighborhood to occupy your nights. During the day feel free to explore the historic buildings or hop across to the nearby Palermo Soho district. The Dorrego Metro Station is within walking distance from the hotel so getting around the city is fairly easy.
At the Ilum Experience Home, you can relax at the gorgeous rooftop jacuzzis or enjoy a sauna. The stylish modern decor throughout the hotel is quite pleasing with guest rooms featuring floor to ceiling windows and trendy bathrooms with jetted tubs. The other amenities in the room and the complimentary breakfast will ensure that you have a comfortable stay here.
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Loi Suites Recoleta
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Nestled between French villas and mansions of upscale Recoleta you’ll find the classy Loi Suites. Surrounded by art galleries, restaurants and not very far from the nightlife and attractions of the city, this gay hotel in Buenos Aires is an ideal place to stay. Think ‘gay bars Buenos Aires.’ At the end of the block, you’ll find Eva Peron’s final resting place at the Recoleta Cemetery.
The all-suite hotel is tastefully designed with minimalistic decor and upscale amenities. Spacious studios and two-room suites are outfitted with all the amenities that you would wish to enjoy a comfortable stay. Most bathrooms have combo showers and tubs plus bidets and complimentary toiletries. An inhouse restaurant offering room service, a heated swimming pool, and other wellness facilities add to the luxury of staying at this hotel. One of the standout features of the hotel is the beautiful Winter Garden where afternoon tea or meals are served. The garden is a bright glass-roofed atrium filled with plants.
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Home Hotel
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A hidden gem in Palermo Hollywood, just minutes away from the gay bars of Palermo, you’ll find the super chic Home Hotel. Palermo is where you’ll find most of the parks, restaurants, and nightlife of Buenos Aires. The area still has a barrio feel to it with a mix of the old with the new. A few blocks away from the hotel, find Buenos Aires’ biggest flea market and also the famed Palermo rose garden. The popular gay Human Club is a ten-minute drive from here.
Home Hotel is an oasis of tranquility offering everything that you’ll look for in a great hotel. A great location, an outdoor swimming pool, a beautiful garden, and a spa and wellness center. The rooms at this gay friendly hotel in Buenos Aires are outfitted with bespoke amenities, providing comfort and luxury. If you’re in the mood to splurge we recommend staying in one of the two suites which are outfitted with a round double jacuzzi and have their own private balconies. The award-winning garden suite with a private entrance, shallow pool, and rooftop terrace is also highly recommended.
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Hotel Patios de San Telmo
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Right in the heart of the San Telmo neighborhood, you’ll find the Hotel Patios de San Telmo. This 19th-century family home, once abandoned, has since been restored to its former glory with many of the original features still in place. The hotel’s location puts you close to much of the nightlife of the area. The vibrant Sunday market is minutes away from the hotel as is the Pride Cafe and the Tuesday queer tango classes of Maldita Milonga.
Keeping with the old architecture, the rooms have high doors and ceilings and blend the traditional with the modern. It strives to keep the cultural heritage of the area alive. Look out for some quirky art exhibitions which are on display here. Guests can enjoy meals at the onsite restaurant or have their breakfast on the patio. The hotel also has a heated rooftop pool and solarium.
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Palo Santo Hotel
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Featuring a vertical garden and other green initiatives, the gay friendly Palo Santo Hotel is sophisticated and comfortable, making it one of the 11 Best Hotels in Buenos Aires. Its location in the trendy Palermo district puts you in close proximity to several bars and restaurants. The other attractions of the city are also easily accessible from here. A 15-minute walk will take you to the popular Bosques de Palermo park. The rose garden and Japanese garden in Palermo are also close by.
On the ground floor of the hotel, you’ll find the dining area which includes a lovely garden. You can enjoy a complimentary breakfast in the garden if the weather is good. For those of you who love Japanese cuisine, you’ll enjoy dining at the hotel’s Namida restaurant. All rooms at the hotel feature private balconies that look out onto the garden or the city. The rooms are bright and spacious with tasteful furnishings and the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. While the regular rooms have bathrooms outfitted with a rain shower, the suite provides a whirlpool bath.
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Just So You Know:
- Buenos Aires’ original gay scene began in the 1980s as a sort of underground movement but came out into the open in the 1990s. Same-sex marriages, legalized in 2010 in Argentina, made it the first Latin American country to do so. However, as far back as 2002, Buenos Aires was the first South American city to pass a law granting rights to gay couples.
- The first gay pride parade in the city was led by Carlos Jauregui, a prominent gay rights activist. You can find a station dedicated to him on the underground metro system, Santa Fe station, on line H.
- Gay cruising happens in a few areas of the city especially Bosques de Palermo, Plaza Ecuador and at the Zoom club. However, it’s always best to exercise a little caution and restraint when in a new city.
Get Some Culture in Buenos Aires:
- Buenos Aires Gay Pride – The annual Marcha del Orgullo took place for the first time in 1992 with just 300 people. Since then it grew to a massive scale and attracts over 100,000 people from all over the world. The November parade follows a number of exciting gay events in the week leading up to Buenos Aires Pride.
- Queer Tango Festival – A visit to Buenos Aires is incomplete without trying the tango at least once. For gay visitors to the city, the Queer Tango festival is the best place to learn the moves. This unique festival, held over 5 days in November, attracts a large crowd. Workshops, performances and dancing lessons hosted by several milongas add to the charm of this festival.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Buenos Aires:
- KM Zero – Think “gay bars Buenos Aires,” think of this basement gay bar in Buenos Aires that features a range of drag shows and quirky acts. This bar is the only gay bar in the city that’s open every day of the week.
- Glam – If you’re staying in the Recoleta area you’ll definitely want to visit this gay bar with its sexy cool crowd. The bar extends across two large rooms, one which features Latino pop and the other for electronic music. You’ll also find live shows with GoGo dancers through the night. The bar closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but opens every other day of the week. It’s one of the gay bars, Buenos Aires.
- Amerika – This is the largest gay club in Buenos Aires and also one of the largest in South America. With 3 floors and 3 separate dance areas, you know that this where the party is at. Open from Friday to Sunday, the club attracts over 2,000 people every weekend.
Best Gay Saunas in Buenos Aires:
- Homosapiens Spa – Located close to popular Amerika gay club, this sauna is open daily from midday to midnight. It offers a range of facilities such as wet and dry saunas, a bar, massage tables, a dark room, and a video room.
- Madison Club de Hombres – This small space is possibly one of the most popular gay saunas in Buenos Aires. Conveniently located between Palermo and Recoleta and close to the nightclubs, it features a public jacuzzi, dry and wet sauna, darkroom and private cabins.
- A Full – One of the largest saunas in Argentina, it comes fully equipped with a whirlpool/ jacuzzi, dry sauna, plunge pool, steam bath, darkroom, private cabins, and showers. You can expect quite a crowd here on Sunday evenings.
