Customer Reviews

Wallpaper City Guide: Buenos Aires (Wallpaper City Guides)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sparse text throughout the guidebook is one complaint of mine, but I guess the "design-conscious traveller" doesn't need it. Of the 104 pages, 23 are dedicated to hotels. That's 22%, folks. A huge chunk of the book is dead weight after you've selected where to spend the night. One of the most horrific things I noticed was that in all the photos (which is the majority of this book's content) there are no people. Barely anyone. Buenos Aires is empty. Regardless if it's a hotel, a restaurant, a landmark building, a soccer stadium, whatever... no people. How the heck did they manage that? It seems surreal.

I laughed out loud when they suggested that you could see the best of BA in just one day. That must further separate me from the "design-conscious traveller." I don't mind. The only historical part of the visit was a trip to Recoleta Cemetery. I can't reproduce their entire text here cuz I'm sure they'd send copyright infringement lawyers after me, but they claim that the entrance is marked by two tall neoclassical columns. Really? Looks like a big gate with 4 columns to me.

The majority of their sightseeing-shopping-dining suggestions are in Palermo. Ew. But I can overlook that. What I can't overlook are the architectural choices: a museum that isn't open yet, 2 buildings by one architect (a crime when there are only 7 buildings recommended total), & the Calatrava bridge in Puerto Madero. Those selections aren't what people find enchanting BsAs architecture. I know what I'm talking about.

In the sports section, they mention the Huracán soccer stadium. I love it & was surprised that they listed it since sending a "design-conscious traveller" to that part of town would probably put them into shock. In the same section, the metrosexual-catering Markus Day Spa (is that a sport?) received a 3 page spread. In a book of 104 pages. I've heard from multiple sources that it isn't all that, but I don't have any personal experience with them. Still, I'm shocked at the amount of coverage.

Let's move to the maps in the back. Typos & misplaced neighborhoods abound. Parque Patricios does not border the Riachuelo, & Barracas has nothing to do with Avenida Entre Ríos. Congreso is not next to San Telmo. Microcentro is not San Nicolás, & Tribunales is not a neighborhood by anyone's measure. Avenida Sánez should be Saénz. What is a "Porte de Buenos Aires?" I think they meant "Puerto." They list something as "Parque del Cementerio" when it's actually Parque Centenario... two very different things.

The enlarged map of Recoleta is just as incorrect. Parque Carlos Thais should be Thays. Pasadas should be Posadas. Ríobamba is missing from the map. There is no such street as Jose Andres. The Palacio Estrouga should be the EstrougaMOU. There are other errors, but you get the point.

Why would anyone buy this?? If I submitted work this sloppy, I'd be fired (I'm a guidebook writer/researcher). This guidebook presents an oddly skewed vision of Buenos Aires that isn't the city I've lived in for almost 7 years. But someone has to be the worst... I just never expected it to be Phaidon.

This Wallpaper City Guide provides brief reviews of the hottest, chicest, or most unique things to see, places to eat and sleep, and items to buy to impress your friends at home (or traveling with you). The advantage with this series is that, after reading, you're privy to things that other guidebooks I guess just aren't cool enough to write about.

Overall, the guide is short on words - about 75% of real estate on most of the pages is dedicated to graphics. But the explanations as to why this place (or restaurant, or boutique, or hotel, etc.) is worth your time is clear and definitive.

The pictures provide a nice overview of what the city actually looks like. Most guidebooks strive for this "authenticity" and this is the reason we are shown pictures of "locals" that look like they were taken in the 80s and derelict buildings instead of the more often photographed local landmarks. Wallpaper City Guide shows a little of everything, but it all seems to be shot in a hip way that would definitely make you want to visit that run down section of the city to try the pastries (during the day), for example.

It assumes that you'll use the guide in tandem with another guide to help with the logistics (how to get there, etc.). Or maybe the producers of this guide assume you'll just tell the hotel concierge and it'll magically happen for you (like it always does, right?).

Either way the guide certainly sheds light on up-and-coming and little known stores and restaurants that can make a trip really stand out. You'll definitely be able to experience Buenos Aires more like an Argentine and less like un turista.

I plan on buying more of these handy, pocket-sized guides for each city I visit and even for the city in which I live (to see how up I am on all the local hotspots).

I can understand why some people don't like the book. I agree with them on any number of points, but here's the score: if you're a little shameless about wanting to make sure you see hip stuff in your short time in BA, just get this. The restaurants recommended are really good (The Standard is amazing... Bar 6 is a great place to hang out when you're tired of walking around....). The hotel recommendations are a little ridiculous. (I had a great hotel and paid $350 for 5 nights... they recommend ultra-fab Faena which goes for $500 a night... you can live like a freaking king in Argentina on that kind of cash.... don't bother with their overblown hotel recommendations).

But as far as being a guide to great bars, restaurants, and other non-touristy attractions, it's quite good if you're a Radar-reading, design-obsessed kind of person. If you're a Rick Steeves kind of traveler, don't bother.

I can relate to the design-oriented vibe, look and slant of this guide to Buenos Aires. And it's a nice addendum to the more complete Frommer's guide that I already had. But it's an addendum only - with the almost guaranteed promise of dating quickly.

Easy to carry in your bag and pocket, good pictures and clearly color coded map and sections. I enjoyed visiting the design places recommended. it definitely shows the best places in BA. Still, it is not enough if you are willing to get information for your trip to BA.

This book was useless in what I was looking for. I like guide books that help you find interesting places, restaurants, etc. (like Rick Steves)
This book does none of that. Save your money

Brought Wallpaper to Buenos Aires almost as an afterthought, thinking it would be too idosyncratic to be of use to a regular guy like me. Wrong: it proved to be a very accurate guide to all that was best in BA, and much more insightful than most other guides.