If you’re like us and love the charm of boutique hotels but still crave the reliability (and perks) of a global hotel brand, you may have your eye on the Anselmo Buenos Aires, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection. During our recent trip to Buenos Aires, we stayed three nights at this small boutique property, located in the heart of the San Telmo district, one of the city’s most vibrant and historic neighborhoods.
Here’s our full and honest review, including what we loved, what could be improved, and whether we’d recommend it for your Buenos Aires itinerary.
Location: Perfect for Exploring San Telmo
Location is where the Anselmo truly shines. The hotel is tucked away on a charming street directly next to Plaza Dorrego, a small leafy park, where we were delighted to find locals offering free tango lessons and live music throughout the week. Being in San Telmo, you’re just a short stroll from the famous San Telmo Market, antique shops, boutique stores, and a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars. We especially loved how easy it was to wander the cobblestone streets without ever needing a taxi.
For travelers who want to soak in Buenos Aires’ bohemian atmosphere while being close to tourist-friendly amenities, this location is hard to beat.
Boutique Hotel Vibe with Hilton Reliability
As Hilton Honors members, we’ve come to appreciate Hilton’s Curio Collection, which balances boutique charm with brand familiarity. At Anselmo, you’ll find thoughtful touches like a small courtyard, bicycle rentals, a bar, and a breakfast area that give it an intimate feel. The front desk staff were welcoming, helpful, and spoke excellent English, which was much appreciated given our very basic Spanish.
First Impressions: Cute but Dated
While the common areas of the hotel have an industrial, slightly minimalist design that adds character, we couldn’t help but notice that the property is showing signs of age. It could benefit from a refresh to elevate the guest experience.
The rooms themselves are small by international standards and lacked sufficient power outlets, something we found inconvenient as modern travelers with multiple devices. There were no USB ports and only a few poorly positioned outlets. We had to unplug lamps just to charge phones, and our travel converter didn’t even fit into the only desk outlet.
If you rely on charging multiple devices like we do, be sure to pack a small travel power strip and, if needed, especially for North American residents, a converter from 220v to 110v.
Room Comfort: Mixed Feelings
While the room had its shortcomings, including almost no soundproofing (we could clearly hear conversations in the hallways and courtyard below), we did have a very comfortable bed that provided us with restful sleep every night.
Temperature control was another quirk, while the room had a thermostat, it seemed to operate more like an on/off switch rather than giving us fine control over the temperature.
The bathroom was compact but functional, featuring a toilet, bidet, and a decent shower with excellent water pressure and hot water. However, the half-glass shower design resulted in water splashing onto the bathroom floor, which meant sacrificing one of our towels just to avoid slipping.
One noticeable omission? Washcloths. We couldn’t find any, which might be worth noting if that’s part of your routine.
Amenities: Hit and Miss
Breakfast
Breakfast was included and provided a small buffet with breads, cheeses, fruits, eggs, and a rotating daily special. Think upscale Hampton Inn — simple, but elevated slightly with bonus touches like fresh croissants, macarons, and, to our delight, a real coffee machine capable of making cappuccinos on request.
Rooftop Pool & Gym
One surprise was discovering a rooftop pool — which was not mentioned on the hotel website — but it was only partially filled during our stay. Next to the pool, there’s a small but functional gym and even a modest vegetable garden.
Hilton Honors Lounge
Technically, there is a lounge for Hilton Honors members, but calling it a “lounge” might be generous. It’s more of a room with a couch and some muffins — not quite the amenity-rich experience you might find at other Hilton properties.
The Verdict: Is Anselmo Buenos Aires Worth It?
Pros:
• Excellent location in the heart of San Telmo
• Comfortable bed for a great night’s sleep
• Friendly and helpful staff
• Charming boutique vibe
• Real cappuccinos at breakfast
• Complimentary bicycles
Cons:
• Rooms are small and dated
• Limited and poorly positioned power outlets
• No sound insulation
• Shower design creates a wet bathroom floor
• Lounge is underwhelming
• Pool was not fully operational during our stay
One nice bonus is the late checkout option up to 2:00 PM based on availability — something we appreciated as we had a later flight.
Final Thoughts
The Anselmo Boutique Hotel was ultimately fine for our needs. It offered us a safe, clean, and well-located base to explore San Telmo and greater Buenos Aires. However, don’t expect luxury or modern amenities. If your priorities are comfort, quiet, and modern conveniences, you might consider other options. But if you want an affordable boutique hotel with a prime location and are willing to trade some creature comforts, the Anselmo might just fit the bill.
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