From September to mid January, my friend and I stayed at Emilio's to write our novel, and atmosphere of the complex made our experience that much more enriching.
The apartment style is more unique than your typical modern high rise, and though the apartment is technically only one room, the architectural cleverness makes the one room feel like four, plus the bathroom. Bright and full of plant life, the apartment feels like a hidden oasis in the rustic, gritty, art-abundant San Telmo neighborhood. For those planning extended stays, it's worth noting that the freezer/fridge is in a mini, so one must plan their storage accordingly, especially for the freezer section since icing can make the space even more minimal. For this particular apartment, large cooking sessions are challenging due to the small kitchen counter space, the two burner oven, and the match-lit oven, however many kitchen supplies are provided, including pots and pans and specialty utensils like graters, peelers, and mashers, along with the usual silverware, plates, bowls, drinkware. Sheets and towels were very clean, and given our extended stay, Flavia, Emilio's english-fluent associate, periodically dropped off fresh linens, much to our convenience.
A grocery store and the fresh fruit and vegetable stand adjacent are both only a couple yards from the main door. A bit farther on the same street is the laundromat. Garbage disposal is right outside in a big black bin on the street. A main door, a gate, a second door opened via secret button under the table, and the actual apartment front door, separate you from the street, so you're completely safe. Once out the door, Plaza Dorrego and the San Telmo Sunday Market are only about 8 minutes walk away, with wonderful restaurants in between, including the English style bar, the Gibraltar, and the deliciously affordable taco/pita/burger joint, El Banco Rojo. A bit past Plaza Dorrego, the waterfront Puerto Madero is very much within walking distance, giving great access to a garden, and a Cinemark movie theater in that region. Florida Street and the Galerias Pacifico shopping mall are also within walking distance about 25 minutes.
Though a language barrier existed between Emilio and I, his cheery demeanor transcended words. It was always nice to bump into him and his loving yellow Labrador. Flavia was also a pleasure. She was quick to reply to all questions and was always looking for ways to be even more helpful. They live in the complex too-- easily accessible. Into the summer months when cockroaches began creeping in the city, they efficiently sprayed the apartment for us with no issues. Occasionally music could be heard from the downstairs unit, and while it may bother some people, I personally found the music selection very epic, majestic, with occasional American familiars like Yellow by Coldplay. An extremely sociable black cat, the sweetest I've ever met, sometimes roamed the complex and occasionally came to the apartment for sleepovers.
Stay here for the authenticity and the nice surprises; it's well worth it.