The Magical Surrealism of the New Recoleta Grand in Buenos Aires
A house of inspiration and charm welcomes visitors with a mix of local and international artistry
Coming from London, we were a bit hesitant about a trip to Buenos Aires. 16 hours of flight to the most European country of South America, shaded with the trees from the UK and French-designed parks? But after spending five days in this city, especially with the stay at the new Recoleta Grand that embodies the intricate layers of the past and future of Buenos Aires, we have no doubt it was the right decision.
As part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio, the hotel opens doors to the layers of Argentina’s history. It consists of a complex of two buildings in the center of Recoleta: a modern tower with 142 guest rooms and six suites connected to the Maison Mihura, a restored heritage site that houses the hotel’s most astonishing facilities, the restaurant and the bar. Inspired by Hopscotch, Julio Cortázar’s novel that invites readers to unravel the story in their own order, the hotel allows guests to freely explore the diverse narratives of art and culture within its venue.
After coming through the gates on the 20th-century façade, you can breathe in the natural light at the Atrium, where the ample sunshine floods across a dining space decorated with emblems of wood, iron and glass handcrafted by local artisans. A 4-meter waterfall cascades next to the wall where Ian Arlyn Kupchik, the owner of the hotel, holds his ambition to place a custom organ by Enrique Rimoldi, an organist and craftsman who spent four decades at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Just across from the waterfall, a patio transforms into a stage for live music, DJs and dance performances, drawing local and international talents into the hotel, much like Recoleta itself once did with its French salon culture.
The dining program is led by Executive Chef Maximiliano Matsumoto, whose previously Uruguay-based establishment placed on Latin America’s top 100 restaurants in 2024. His nine-course tasting menu fuses Asian and Latin American flavors into unexpected harmonies. Starting with a cured beet amuse-bouche to charcoaled duck served ssam-style with kimchi, cilantro-strawberries and more, each course pairs with Argentine wines that carry their own historical significance.
Beneath the restaurant, the bar reveals itself in layers. The first space is a cocktail reception, featuring recipes developed by an award-winning mixologist, Ignacio Maggio. The theme is musique concrète, compositions forged from disparate textures, translated here into cocktails that balance the rhythm, scent and flavor of each ingredient. Turn to the right and you enter a lounge softened with dark pink seating and dim light. A mischievous monkey sculpture inherited from the family watches over the room, a symbol of the cheeky play of the mysterious ambiance curtained right behind the street.
Step outside the hotel, and the neighborhood continues the story. The final resting place of Eva Perón, the Recoleta Cemetery, is within walking distance, as well as El Ateneo Grand Splendid, which is often called the world’s most beautiful bookshop. The National Museum of Fine Arts anchors Argentina’s largest collection of Latin American art and keeps the conversation alive with the contemporary scene through collaborations with local galleries like W-Galeria. The nearby area, Porteño, also lights up at night with classical Tango, Reggaeton and electronic music, all blasting with a youthful spirit.
The Recoleta Grand doesn’t just reflect the city—it amplifies it. The concierge team will happily guide you to landmarks and hidden corners, always with kindness and warmth. We’re already planning a return visit to beautiful Buenos Aires. By then, the Recoleta Grand will have evolved further: early 2026 openings include the Floralis Spa, a new fitness center, rooftop, pool and Mansión Mihura, the hotel’s signature dining space. We can’t wait to see what form its surrealist magic takes next.
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