While not mentioned on their hotel website, the surname Draghi is that of the most renowned silversmith in Argentina (perhaps South America). While Draghi Sr. passed away a couple of years ago, his children carry on with the traditions. Presidents, popes and kings have commissioned custom works from this little shop (3 or 4 workers) that forms part of this wonderful boutique hotel about 1:45hrs west of Buenos Aires. A small museum of 19th century gaucho silver fronts the property, the shop sits just behind and the eight or so rooms behind that, also directly accessible from the street behind. The rooms are above average and the ambience and everything else beyond description. While there, ask Valeria (a daughter) to arrange a day-long outing to Estancia el Ombu. Magical!

We had a one night stay (and frankly, unless you are going to one of the estancias, you can see everything in San Antonio de Areco in this time) and formed a very favourable first impression of this little B & B. A relaxed check-in - no credit card or payment required - and smiling staff plus a lady (a member of the owner-family? we weren't sure) with excellent English. Our room was large and comfortably furnished in Spanish style but was the last one facing out to the rear street. As it had only french doors to the street side and to the garden area, it made it impossible for us to leave anything open for fresh air and so we were forced to use the airconditioning at night (which we try to avoid usually). The controls for this were positioned so high up on the wall that anyone under 1.83 or so (6ft) would have to stand on a chair to operate it. The bathroom was basic but clean. However, the shower screen was loose and allowed water to leak onto the floor.
There is a pretty garden and pool area and the silverware workshop and museum - quite interesting - is all part of the complex.
Staff were very helpful in storing luggage after our checkout.
Breakfast, described on their website as "the most delicious home made breakfast", was dreadful however - no other word for it. There were no plates, only saucers. The butter - 1 tiny pre-wrapped pat per person - was doled out by the waitress after you arrived and one of our two serves was rancid and turning to cheese. There was one serve of yoghurt in a bowl on our table - perhaps we were meant to share it? The buffet area consisted of cornflakes and milk, a few hardboiled eggs, a toaster with bread alongside, 2 pots of jam, a few medialunas, a few - very few! - slices of processed cheese and very thin cut, translucent tomato slices. The jams may have been home made and no doubt they boiled the eggs and sliced the tomatoes themselves but the entire presentation signalled Economy Basic! There was also serve-yourself coffee. We gave up on it and walked across the square to La Esquina de Merti (where we'd had a fun evening the night before) for coffee and a bite to eat.
To summarise, Paradores Draghi is probably the most attractive, centrally located place to stay in Areco but, despite breakfast being included, be prepared to have a second one elsewhere.
Final remark: unless you have very heavy or awkward luggage, you can easily walk to and from the bus station... look it up on Google maps before you go. In fact, we took less time walking back to the bus station for our departure than the taxi we'd taken on arrival.

After 5 days in busy Buenos Aires, we took a 2 hour ride on beautiful assigned-seat public bus (Retiro bus station) and arrived on the outskirts of this small town. We walked the 8 blocks to this amazing hotel on the main square. There are only 5 rooms. They lead out to a beautiful private garden with a small but refreshing pool (it was summer and hot). The rooms have the modern conveniences, but the tiled floors and woodwork and charm give the atmosphere of visiting an Argentinian home with the convenience of being in a town with bars and restaurants. We were greeted by a member of the family that runs the hotel, which is part of a small silver workshop and museum. We arrived in the afternoon of New Year's Eve, and Lucila immediately arranged for us to attend an asada at a restaurant where a crowd of local people included us in the evening festivities and guided us through the delicious food. The hotel has bicycles you can just borrow and ride all over.

This small resort is a lovingly restored courtyard property with siversmith workshop and museum on the main square and attractively decorated rooms surrounding the courtyard behind. Staff were very helpful with advice and arrangements, the breakfast room and food were very pleasant, location perfect. We spent four days relaxing at the start of our trip to Argentina and thoroughly enjoyed it. Value for money was very good.