MISSION The Hyatt has had a change of address. It’s moved three blocks
down the road to the exclusive Avenida Alvear. So beware, because not all
the taxi drivers know and you don’t want to end up like me, trying to check
into the Four Seasons and finally having to cart your suitcase down the road
- very un-glam. I wanted to find out what one of the old-style hotels in
Buenos Aires has to offer.
USP The hotel has been renamed the Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt, to
reflect the fact there are two buildings, facing each other, linked by the
garden or an underground tunnel complete with changing art exhibitions. The
Palacio Duhau is a recently renovated family mansion, which was built in
1934 and inspired by the Chateau Le Marais in France. It is very much,
massive ballrooms and beautiful terraces overlooking the garden and oak-clad
bars.
In the basement they have built the new Ahin Spa which has an amazing 82-foot
indoor heated swimming pool. The spa prides itself on its body treatments.
Liwen, Ragiantu and Pun are three special treatments all linked to the time
of the day you have them. Energising ones for the morning, healing in the
afternoon, and the most relaxing one for the evening.
AMBIENCE What hits you when you walk into the spa’s reception is how
peaceful everything is, away from the bustle of Buenos Aires. The staff are
incredibly polite and immaculately turned out in white India suits. Through
the gigantic glass window which runs down the whole length of the spa you
can see the swimming pool behind them, inviting you to take a dip.
There is a state-of-the-art gym with designer machines especially imported
from Italy. Gym bunnies are given i-Pods, because the therapists don’t like
the idea of loud music pumping out and disturbing the spa guests. Music
seems to be a bit of a theme because I was given a choice of what to listen
to during my treatment, which made a welcome relief from the back to back
Enya that normally seems to be de rigeur. As expected there is a sauna and
Jacuzzi for the guests to relax in.
EXPERIENCE I was told that guests normally opt for the Swedish massage
and that Brits are particularly obsessed with deep tissue massages. But, I
wanted to try something a bit different so I was steered towards the
aromatherapy renewal massage with Rosanne. Like other therapists I had come
across in Buenos Aires, she told me that you need at least two years of
study before they let you loose on the clients. And they are regularly sent
on courses to keep up to date with the latest techniques.
The treatment rooms come complete with a chaise lounge, where you could enjoy
a relaxing cup of tea after your treatment. In keeping with the aromatherapy
theme she wafted the oils under my nose before she started. I particularly
liked the work she did on my legs and feet which were tired out from all
that shopping!
My next treatment was called Ragiantu which you are meant to have between 1pm
and 5pm, as that is when your body best responds. I was smeared with
Argentinean mud, infused with rosehip oil, infamous in Argentina for keeping
your skin looking young. I was then wrapped in cling film which felt a bit
strange but it is meant to be the best way for the mud to really do its
stuff and work its way through the pores into your body. I felt incredibly
relaxed by the end of it as I sipped the special calming green tea they had
prepared for me.
PRODUCTS The spa has an exclusive range of Italian products called
Comfort Zone which they use for facials, body treatments and massages. But,
if you want something more home grown they also use an Argentinean range
called Arcakadia which includes the mud with extracts of rosehip.
IN-CROWD Fat-cat businessmen trying to de-stress, but who spend of a
lot of their time sneaking off to make conference calls on their mobiles.
Glamorous, American tourists taking advantage of being in one of the most
exclusive shopping areas in town. Locals, who are members of the spa and
like to drop by and relax.
FOOD There was fresh fruit on offer at the spa as well as plentiful
supplies of water with lots of slices of lemon, or oranges floating about in
it. I was also offered a choice of teas and infusions before and after my
treatments. The hotel has an Italian style restaurant and a bistro where I
ate a delicious smoked salmon salad for about £8.
WALLET WATCH Compared to Europe, for such a luxurious hotel the
treatments are good value. But for the locals it’s a different story. My
massage was about £50 and my Ragiantu treatment was £40. The rest of the
treatments all range between £40 and £75 and that will buy you anything from
a facial to a lymphatic drainage massage. Palacio Duhau starts from £270 per
night/double; flights start from £699. Book through Exsus Travel (www.exsus.com;
020 7292 5050)
NEED TO KNOW Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt, Avenida Alvear 1661, Buenos
Aires, Argentina (+54 11 5171 1234; www.buenosaires.park.hyatt.com)
For more than 200 independent spa reviews: timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide
