Hotel Rates in Buenos Aires

Hotel rates in Buenos Aires have risen significantly in just the past few years due to the country’s growing economy and tourism traffic. Our office recently did a study of suite rates of premium 5-star hotels in Buenos Aires to see what the competition is charging. We chose to look at comparable hotels to Algodon Mansion’s 5-star quality suites and amenities, and looked at suite rates from 2005 (when the idea for Algodon Mansion was still just an idea in my head) versus what they go for today. I think this positive illustration says quite a bit about Argentina’s economy. You’ll also notice that all of these hotels have over 100 rooms, and one of them even has over 200. With Algodon Mansion’s boutique status of only 10 very high-end, butler-attended suites, there is no question in my mind that our hotel will have a remarkable reputation for highly personalized services that elevates us above all the rest in Buenos Aires. Here’s what we found, and the following price list is approximated:HotelRateComparison.pdf

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays, Friends! There has been a lot of talk in the news of late regarding the condition of our global economy. I believe that even though the world is in the midst of an economic crisis, the companies that are able to weather the storm will be in a unique position to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. Our company recognizes that many people are being hurt in this worldwide economic downturn, so we are determined to turn this current crisis into an opportunity for our investors. While we remain realistic about the conditions of the current global market, we are also very optimistic about the opportunities that are presenting themselves in Argentina. Some bright highlights in the recent news include a Reuters report that Argentine wine exports are seen growing, despite the crisis, and Expedia Travel Trendwatch’s annual report that despite the tough economy; “the upcoming holiday and winter travel season will not differ greatly from previous years, and with fuel prices declining in recent months, many airfares are the same or even lower than the 2007 season.” I hope you all have a superb holiday season. We’ve had challenging but a great year in 2008, and I look forward to making 2009 an even better one. Happy New Year!

Algodon Mansion - Facade Revealed!

The construction tarp covering Algodon Mansion has finally come down. I am personally very proud and excited about this very significant milestone, as it marks the beginning of the homecoming stretch into the finishing final touches. The stonework on the mansion’s façade is stunning, and I am extremely happy with the results. Algodon Mansion’s 1912 architecture beautifully compliments Recoleta’s surrounding buildings. In a recent phone conference update with Gerhard Heusch, our Design Architect, we’ve also been told that in the basement, the kitchen is currently being tiled; in the dining room, the roof work has begun; the steelworkers are starting work on the stair railings; the pillar has been removed from the bar area; stucco work on the ground-floor ceiling has begun; in the suites, carpet and moldings are being installed, as are the custom bookcases; on the roof, the mechanical area (the “7th story”) is being finished; and the Spa roof has been completed. Can’t wait to see the finished product.

A Real Estate Comparison

Here’s a great photo comparison of U.S. vs. Argentine real estate valuation that may put things into perspective for many people. This is more than eyebrow-raising; it’s enlightening, and it’s what we’ve been saying all along. Click the link for an illustration that says a thousand words: Real Estate Comparison.pdf

Algodon Wine Estates Tennis Center

Algodon Wine Estate homesite owners who are fortunate enough to live in this area will love it, I’m sure. The homesites included in this area we’re calling the “tennis villas”. The concept we’re working with combines a modern townhouse sensibility with the appeal and traditional design of an Argentine villa. There will only be about 12 of them, so I’d recommend that tennis lovers reserve their places sooner than later. Those are the tennis villas at the bottom, and you can see the pool’s location in the upper left corner. Just below and to the right of the pool, you can see the clubhouse, and directly below that is the in-ground stadium- so you can see how, from the clubhouse’s 2nd floor dining terrace, you’ll enjoy those unobstructed views of stadium games. All of the green dots are olive trees, so you can also really get a sense that this entire area exits within the actual orchard. This entire area is also immediately bordered by the Wine & Golf Village and the Vineyard & Polo Village, so I imagine it will be one of the estate’s more social places to reside- being so centrally located. Here’s another link to Algodon Wine Estates in the news, featuring coverage of José Luis Clerc’s partnering with us: TennisWeek.com