If you're a European or North American traveler used to corporate hotels, the Bauen is neither comfortable nor hospitable. In addition to the badly worn and faded interiors that other Web reviews prepared me for, the air conditioning was also not operative (in late November with a west-facing room this was a real discomfort), the storied basement disco lounge was closed, and the staff were even surlier than I would have expected of survivalist porteno service employees.

That said, the hotel cooperative is giving it a good effort and the basic hotel services are fine (I used the hotel laundry service and delivery was prompt and tidy). The real reason to stay there is to give business to a group of people who took over an abandoned property and reopened it for business to demonstrate their right to work. Legally dicey, and hardly an example of a government looking out for its people, it remains an intriguing case of labor disputes-- in North America and Europe, these are usually executed by not working, where here we have a mostly functioning hotel run by people who needed work to maintain their livelihoods. If you don't see any merit or legitimacy in this position, there's no especially compelling reason to stay there. Don't go expecting the worker cooperative story to be immediately apparent, and if you like comfort and have a few extra pesos to spend, look for something plusher.

I was put here when there were troubles with the airlines to ensure my flight back home. The only thing I can say about the Bauen that is slightly positive is that this is why I like to make my own reservations. The hotel is old, very old. You walk into the lobby only to be greeted by seniors listenting to has-been opera singers on an overpowered amp (probably to accomodate the collective hearing loss). I could barely speak with the front desk it was so loud. Adding to the atmosphere was the cloud of smoke lingering in the lobby.

The receptionist insisted that I wait for the bellboy to take my two bags (both carry-on size that I carried from NYC to BA by myself). After waiting ten minutes I said I would rather take it myself than wait any longer. She looked puzzled and refused to hand over the key until I insisted that she give me the key. Then, only two of the 3 elevators were working and some amateur soccer teams along with a socialist party group of 20-30 kids were all waiting. I pushed to the head of the group to squeeze onto to the elevator fearing it would be another hour of listening to the opera screamers until I could unpack.

Then the room! I found the room with the door open and the maid sitting on the bed talking with a friend on the phone. I knocked on the door and she looked annoyed that I would try and enter and actually asked to see my key. The walls were chipped, the beds soft and squeeky, the windows allow all of the noise from the Callao/Corrientes intersection to seep in, there was only one outlet, no safe, and the air conditioning does not come on until summer (mind you, it was 80 degrees the night I stayed there).

I tried to change rooms and succeded in only getting on the same side, but 9 floors lower. The bed was a bit firmer, but overall the room was the same.

All in all, unless you want to be miserable, save your pesos and find someplace better.