By: Michael T. Luongo

Scenes of mayhem with even the middle class taking to the streets in protest might have reigned on your television set a few years ago when the news turned to Buenos Aires, but all of that is over. The glamorous capital of Argentina has returned to its vibrant self, quickly recovering from its December, 2001 peso devaluation crisis when the currency dropped to a third of its former value. This was the worst economic crisis that Argentina had ever faced, but the country now has a new confidence and vitality because of it. Argentines had to become self-reflective, learning a little about themselves and their place in the world at the dawn of the new millennium. Portenos, as Buenos Aires natives are called, are looking forward to the future once again.

With the currency stabilizing, what was once a very expensive city has become a bargain destination for tourists seeking culture in a city often described as "The Paris of South America" both because of its architectural beauty and its wonderful café life. On top of the general vacation boom, with millions of tourists a year pouring into this city, trade has increased substantially for Argentina. This means Buenos Aires is becoming a major travel destination for business people the world over seeking luxury accommodations. Argentina's agricultural bounty - like grains and beef - have become a major source of revenue, but reduced labor costs are making the exportation of mineral wealth and some manufactured goods viable on the global market once again.

To meet this demand, Buenos Aires's already luxurious business hotels have been upgrading and adding a multitude of services. And fast giving these places a run for their money - for a chance at grabbing yours - are new hotels built from the ground up or into renovated classical buildings updated for the modern era.

The most luxurious hotels in the Old World tradition are in the Recoleta district, famous as the home of Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of Evita. The neighborhood is full of frilly glamour, and its marble structures recall a simple Paris of long ago. The Alvear Palace, first opened in 1928, best epitomizes this scene, and its Neoclassical façade was restored at the beginning of 2005. Patrons of this hotel are surrounded by gilded columns, and elegant service, complete with white gloved and top-hatted porters, all of which harkens back to an earlier more sophisticated time when travel was the ultimate luxury. Each room also has private butler service, making getting a suit pressed all the easier. Don't let this image fool you though, the hotel is full of all the amenities a business traveler needs, from Wi-Fi internet access to a large business center. Down the street, with a more subdued elegance is the Buenos Aires Four Seasons Hotel. It's in 2 parts, one a gleaming white high rise with unparalleled views down 9 de Julio, the city's main thoroughfare and the world's widest boulevard. The two parts of the hotel are connected by a garden complex with an outdoor pool, creating a resort-like feel in the middle of the city. Adding to this, there's a well-equipped health club offering spa treatments which include a wine massage and facial, certainly welcome after a day of meetings or an overnight flight.

Just around the corner from the Four Seasons is Buenos Aires's newest luxury hotel, which also capitalizes on the Old World style of the area. The Buenos Aires Park Hyatt-Palacio Duhau opens this summer, and similar to the Four Seasons, has a high rise tower attached to an old mansion. The hotel uses the former home of the prestigious Anchorena family which was also intended as the residence of Argentina's representative to the Vatican, and still retains papal insignia on the façade. Views, luxury, quiet and the services a business traveler needs are part of the offerings throughout the 165 rooms.

All three hotels put you close to some of Buenos Aires's most exclusive shopping. In fact, the Alvear not only has a Ralph Lauren, Cartier, and other luxury boutiques across the street, there's even a shopping arcade and art gallery complex attached to the hotel with direct lobby access. Getting last minute gifts for business contacts will be easy, and if you travel with your partner, he or she will not lack for things to do. The upscale Patio Bullrich, with shops and cafes aimed at ladies and gentlemen who lunch is also a short cab ride away from the Alvear or Hyatt, and can be walked to from the Four Seasons.

The charm of old Buenos Aires might not abound in the Puerto Madero district, but hotels for the business traveler are beginning to pop up in this once abandoned area. The Buenos Aires Hilton is home to the city's largest conference center and most efficient business center. Quietly work alone at the terminals, or ask about translation, secretarial, and other services. One of the key features of the hotel is its soaring glass atrium lobby filled with artwork, where visitors won't mind waiting for you to come down and greet them for appointments. While the Hilton is severely modern, nearby is the new Faena Hotel and Universe complex, designed by Phillipe Starck. It's hard to describe this hotel and its mélange of styles, built into the Porteno Building, a restored warehouse on the old docks. In the lobby, there are several bars and restaurants, one seemingly right out of Nicole Kidman's Moulin Rouge movie, called El Cabaret. Another, El Living seems a place your grandmother, if she were a Dutchess, might invite you over to have tea in. The building's old round grain silos have been converted into the spa complex, which offers a unique arrangement of machines and treatment rooms, as well as a hammam. This hotel is popular with fashionistas and the seen and be seen crowds that flock to Buenos Aires.

Whether you stay at the Hilton or the Faena, the Puerto Madero area can seem remote and desolate during the day, even if just a quick cab ride to the center of the city. Come sunset however, the waterfront lights up in brilliant red and gold reflections, and couples walk along romantically hand-in-hand. The nearby restaurants, offering traditional steaks to international cuisine, begin to fill up and dance clubs like Opera Bay gear into action. The best of the steakhouses is the Cabana las Lilas. It's expensive by Argentine standards, but a full meal with wine and tip won't run more than about $30-$40 per person. If you don't take the locals here, they'll probably take you, since it's where many out-of-town business people are brought to impress them.

You've seen images of the Casa Rosada or Presidential Palace, the garishly pink building with perhaps the world's most famous balcony, from which Evita enthralled millions during her short but busy life. The building is still the political heart of the country, and where, when he isn't out of town, President Kirschner comes to work. The closest hotel to his office and all the surrounding government buildings is the Spanish owned NH City Hotel, located around the corner in a jazz age art-deco building, beautifully restored in June of 2001. Rooms are decorated in a masculine, bold style with oversized bathrooms, and the closets have the largest in room safes I have seen in Buenos Aires, perfect for laptops and more. Retreating to the rooftop deck with its small pool offers an incomparable view of the historical downtown and the intricate bronze domes on the surrounding buildings, giving a sense of Europe. Plus, you'll even be able to keep an eye on the comings and goings down at the Casa Rosada.

If you've been reading up on the Buenos Aires buzz, you've no doubt heard about the fashionable Palermo Hollywood district. It was once run down, but like many such places across the world, Bohemians took over and made the place chic. There's not much business related here, except for some possible real estate ventures as the market heats up. What you should consider though is branching out from the usual hotel restaurants to here, where super star chefs are opening up tantalizing restaurants with excellent fusion and international menus. German Martitegui is the chef who oversees both Casa Cruz, with its flavorful dishes of using the best local ingredients like beef, sea bass, rabbit and exotic accents, as well as Olsen, a Scandinavian restaurant with a Brady-Bunch style 60's interior.

Depending on how long you're in Buenos Aires, take in a tango show at splashy Senor Tango or the sensual El Querandi. The action and loud music in both places might prevent business talk, but you'll see what drives the local passion for living.

On your trip here, you'll be happy to see that after its terrible peso crisis, Buenos Aires is back in business. Thankfully though, from great restaurants, luxury hotels, tango houses and that local way of Porteno living, this city offers a memorable way of relaxing and celebrating once the deal is set.