In classy Recoleta, three blocks from its more sedate sibling, the Park Plaza, this hotel, with its Louis XVI-style furniture, trompe l'oeil ceiling panels and gilt-framed art, is best described as 'baroque boutique'. Backed by Kempinski Hotels' considerable skill and experience, this perennially popular operation is a standout, with great service, reasonable dining, and accommodations that impress at rates far lower than a quick skim through the amenity list would suggest.
This slender six-story building, dressed with plaster medallions and intricate wrought-iron trim, looks as if it were plucked straight off New York City's Fifth Avenue. For a 63-room hotel, the alert doorman and concierge are a nice touch. In fact the overall proficiency of the entire staff is one
of the hotel's strongest suits: most of them speak English and are happy to stow luggage for early arrivals—by no means a common service at BA hotels in this class. On the other hand, this tiny property's bold contempo-traditional decor is daring, bordering on wacky, and not suited to all tastes.
The lobby's overwhelming ormolu, and gold-on-blue decor give unprepared arrivals the impression that they've mistakenly stumbled upon some bizarre museum consecrated to the memory of Gianni Versace. Heightening the experience, the limited but showy public areas (a bar, restaurant—serving breakfast, lunch and dinner—and small lounge) are set off of a narrow hall that terminates at the foot of a brooding woman carved from white Cararra marble.
Behind her, a blue velvet curtain hides the single meeting room for 100 people. Parking is in a nearby garage. There is no gym on the premises – instead, guests get complimentary passes to an adjacent sweatshop.
Thankfully, the trim guest quarters are tricked-out less eclectically than the public areas. They do manage to hold on to some of that bold traditional styling, with high ceilings, gold and red color schemes, reproduction furnishings, French neo-classical art prints, and fabric-draped tables that provide altars for cable TVs. The fresh flowers are a nice touch. Standard amenities include desks, phones with data ports, minibars, safes and remote-control thermostats. Small marble baths provide hair dryers and have jetted tubs, robes and generic toiletries.
Room service never stops. One pet weighing less that 22 lbs (10 kilos) is permitted per room, with a $30-per-night surcharge. Wireless Internet access is also available, again with a surcharge. Smoke-free rooms are plentiful.
Those who itch for kitsch, but who also want a high level of personalized and efficient service, will enjoy making the Chateau their temporary castle. Note that the clientele is mostly middle-aged and upward.
