The Art of Dreaming: Splendor by Wyndham Buenos Aires

The Esplendor by Wyndham Buenos Aires is not just a boutique hotel; it is a living testament to the architectural and cultural evolution of the city.

The Legacy of the Phoenix
The Splendor by Wyndham Buenos Aires occupies the site where, in 1880, the construction of the Phoenix Hotel began, inaugurated in 1889. Its proximity to one of the first docks in Buenos Aires made it a favorite destination for travelers, especially those from Great Britain.

Originally, the entire block where the Phoenix stood was reserved for a branch of the legendary Le Bon Marché department store in Paris. However, its fate changed, and the Phoenix became an epicenter of the city's hospitality. With high-ceilinged rooms, imposing wardrobes,
cast-iron fireplaces, and majolica tiles, the hotel was renowned for its opulence and attention to detail.

The Transformation into Esplendor
Almost a century later, the Phoenix was reborn as Esplendor Buenos Aires thanks to the work of the architecture and interior design studio Plan, led by Mauro Bernardini and Cecilia Timossi. “When we saw the building, we realized that this was where the essence of Esplendor was born: a boutique hotel that would rescue the heritage value of the place,” says Bernardini.

The restoration was meticulous: balcony balusters, atlantes' faces on the corbels, and wooden joinery that had accumulated more than seven layers of enamel were reconstructed. The aim was to return it to its original splendor while blending it with a contemporary design.

A Living Museum:
El Esplendor Buenos Aires transcends traditional hospitality by integrating art as part of its identity. Unlike other hotels where the names of illustrious guests are inscribed in bronze, here, great figures are transformed into striking works of art. 

The Mondongo collective, comprised of Agustina Picasso, Juliana Laffitte, and Manuel Mendanha, has created portraits of iconic figures such as Jorge Luis Borges, Eva Perón, Diego Maradona, and Che Guevara using unusual materials like bread, chains, and modeling clay. These works not only decorate the hotel but also give it a distinctive identity.

Today, Esplendor by Wyndham Buenos Aires remains a benchmark in Latin American boutique hotels. Its location on the corner of Córdoba and San Martín, surrounded by iconic institutions such as the Florida Garden, the Kavanagh Building, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reinforces its position as a meeting point between
Buenos Aires' past and future.

Esplendor by Wyndham is not just a hotel; it is an experience where history, art and elegance merge to offer an unparalleled retreat in the heart of the city.

Source: Splendor by Wyndham