The Big Six: Boutique beds in Buenos Aires

Hotel Pulitzer, Retiro

When the Hotel Pulitzer opened, it brought boutique buzz to the Retiro district. This crisp, cutting-edge address offered a departure from the big brand hotels that had long coveted the quarter, with interiors by Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Inside it's strewn with select pieces – bold, blue carpets, wingback sofas, lacquered black mirrors – that create a distinctly urban, uncluttered space. The cool quotient is upped with an outdoor pool and a rooftop bar.

Hotel Pulitzer, Maipú 907, Retiro (00 54 11 4316 0800; hotelpulitzer.com.ar). Doubles start at US$140 (£93), with breakfast.

The Gallery, San Telmo

San Telmo is the oldest barrio in BA – a bohemian jumble of colonial buildings, tango parlours and antiques outlets that dips down on to the docks. Tucked within the tangle are three buildings, containing a six self-catering apartments, run by a group of friends who make up the San Telmo Loft company. As a collection they reflect the colourful, quirky makeup of the quarter, but The Gallery – an artsy, two-bed affair with vintage accents on the Paseo Colón – takes top billing.

The Gallery, Apart 2/9, Paseo Colón 1131, San Telmo (00 54 11 4361 7468; santelmoloft.com). Weekly rental costs US$485 (£323), self-catering. Sleeps four.

Legado Mítico, Palermo Soho

Each of the rooms in this smouldering Soho spot takes its lead from key historical figures. Check into "The Lady" for an elegant insight into Eva Perón. Stay in "The Writer" to slip into the world of surrealist scribe Jorge Luis Borges. Or march into "The Liberator" to meet José de San Martín, an Argentinian general who defended Latin America from the Spanish conquistadors. The handsome library adds class with Chesterfield sofas.

Legado Mítico, Gurruchaga 1848, Palermo Soho (00 54 11 4833 1300; legadomitico.com). Doubles start at US$303 (£202), with breakfast.

Hotel del Casco, San Isidro

A leafy street in the quiet San Isidro suburb leads to this rather grand pile, which stands out with a stuccoed façade, Neo-classical columns and sweeping steps. Built in 1892 as a summer house for an aristocratic family, it was later converted into a hotel and now swells with 20 sophisticated suites. Grand in scale and style, they flaunt crystal chandeliers, antique tapestries and oil paintings – and some have pretty garden views.

Hotel del Casco, Av del Libertador 16170, San Isidro (00 54 11 4732 3993; www.hoteldelcasco.com.ar). Doubles start at US$230 (£153), with breakfast.

Faena Hotel + Universe Puerto Madero

Alan Faena made his fortune in fashion. In 2000, he sold his Vía Vai label and used the capital to approach Philippe Starck with an idea. The multi-use development, in the revived Puerto Madero docklands, would be called the "Faena Arts District": comprising a hotel, the Faena Arts Center and – opening later this year – the private Aleph Residences, designed by Norman Foster. Check in for decadent suites, a cabaret bar, hammam and two restaurants.

Faena Hotel, Martha Salotti 445, Puerto Madero (00 54 11 4010 9000; faenahotelanduniverse.com). Doubles start at US$604 (£402), with breakfast.

Krista Hotel, Palermo Hollywood

Light abounds in this graceful 20th-century mansion, which offers a serene escape from the city with cool marble hallways and pastel shades. The double-height rooms are demure and airy, with antique furniture, original wooden floors and patios in some of the larger suites. Outside, pretty courtyards interlace the space, dressed in ivy and tropical plants – with one concealing an outdoor Jacuzzi and sunbeds for warmer months.

Krista Hotel, Bonpland 1665, Palermo Hollywood (00 54 11 4771 4697; kristahotel.com.ar). Doubles start at US$182 (£121), with breakfast.