Sleeping in Buenos Aires

Q: I have an eight hour stopover at the Ministro Pistarini Airport Buenos Aires on the way from Quito to South Africa. Is there a hotel at the airport where I could check in as I would prefer not to have to wait in the airport? - Glynis Pickworth

A: There are no hotels located at this airport. The closest hotels are in the city 25-30kms away. You will have to decide whether it is worthwhile leaving the airport and heading for a hotel in the city. It is likely to take you at least an hour to get from the aircraft to the hotel and you would be expected to be back at the airport at least two hours before the flight. During peak hours the trip from the city centre to the airport can take over an hour. That means you would have around four hours at the hotel. It may be better to take advantage of one of the premium lounges at the airport and pay to relax in one of them. There are a number of lounges, but not all will be available to paying guests. To find out about availability and cost, check with the customer relations desk at the airport on arrival. If you go for the hotel option, among those you could consider are: Hilton Buenos Aires (www.hilton.com or telephone: +54 11 4891 0000); Holiday Inn Express Puerto Madero (www.hiexpress.com or telephone: +54 11 4311 5200); Marriott Plaza Hotel Buenos Aires (www.marriott.com or telephone: +54 11 4318 3000) and the Sheraton Buenos Aires (www.sheraton.com or telephone: +54 11 4318 9000). (30/1/11)