Fascinating architecture, luxurious decoration, spectacular service and a history that few know. All this and more is the Alzaga Unzué Mansionone of the most chosen options by international stars for their stay in the country.
The entrance hall, with black and white Carrara marble and an elegant staircase, welcomes guests, who are surprised by the impressive decoration of the rooms, living rooms and bathrooms. Each space reflects the opulence of the aristocracy Buenos Aires from years ago.
Considered one of the best examples of Buenos Aires architecture from the early 20th century and recognized as city heritagethe design combines the best of French, English and Italian styles.
Figures such as Rod Stewart, Madonna, Harry Styles, Luis Miguel, Robert de Niro, Rosalía or the members of Kiss, The Rolling Stones and Coldplay are just some of the artists who rented this mansion, which since 2001 has been in the hands of the hotel chain Four Seasons.
A little history
The construction of this house began in 1916 with a very special purpose: it was the wedding gift that Félix Alzaga Unzué did to his wife, Elena Peña Unzué.
Both belonged to the highest social spheres of the city. They were landowners and spent long periods in Paris where they took their horses to run in the Chantilly, Longchamps and Deauville Derby.
They spent the Argentine summer in Mar del Plata, and of course, also in the ranches they had inherited from their two families.
The house located in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Withdrawalat Cerrito 1455, was inaugurated in 1920, after four years of construction.
The newlyweds enjoyed the luxuries of the time in their new large home of three thousand square meters. In the basement of the Mansion were the kitchens, the laundry room, the dining room for the twenty employees and the winery.
Between the first and second floors the rooms are distributed, one of which was used for fencing and another as an armory, since they were spaces intended for children who never arrived.
All the sumptuousness of the interior spaces was in tune with the wonderful park, which was designed by Carlos Thays and it was one of Elena’s favorite spaces.
Since then, this architectural jewel remains a witness to the golden years of the Argentine capital. However, with the death of its owners and changes of owners, he deterioration was inevitable.
Despite its beauty and cultural importance, the residence was about to be demolished: The project to widen Avenida 9 de Julio contemplated demolishing it, but it was saved.
The Mansion today
Since December 2001, the property It is part of the 5 star Four Seasons hotelwhich has a neighboring tower with 158 rooms.
The hotel chain made an investment of more than one million dollars to recover the splendor of this property.
The restoration of the Mansion began in mid-2007. Although the original style was maintained, the rooms, the large reception rooms on the ground floor were redecorated and restored by the architect Francisco López Bustos, together with Marcela Carvajal and his collaborator Lucas Grande.
They were preserved original materials such as stucco, door hardware, moldings, Carrara or Calacata marble in the bathrooms, as well as some furniture, oil paintings and paintings.
The seven suites, located on the first and second floors, are all Different from each other and they are the original rooms of the house.
The most impressive is, without a doubt, the room that once belonged to Elenasince at that time each member of the couple had their own room, today converted into a presidential suite.
Located on the first floor, room 101 has 180 square meters and is decorated with pieces from France from the 18th and 19th centuries and Slavonian oak floors.
In addition to the large balcony with views of the garden, the pool, the main tower and the Jockey Club; The main bathroom is the place that surprises guests the most. Is entirely of marble and has gold plated faucets and a large bathtub.
In this exclusive room there is also a private dining room for up to 10 people and a hidden gem: Elena’s big dressing roomdivided into two floors.
Each space in this palace has details that achieve transport guests to the 1900s and feel part of this aristocracy, even for a little while. It is possible to imagine the great banquets that the owners organized, the long afternoons of tea with friends or more intimate moments between the couple.
According to the official website, a night in one of these rooms part of the USD 2.236, without breakfast. A night in the presidential election, from USD 12.103.