Escape to Paradise: Howard Johnson La Plata's Argentinian Oasis
Escape to Paradise: Howard Johnson La Plata - Is This Really An Oasis, Or Just a Fancy Pool? (Spoiler Alert: It's Actually Pretty Good)
Okay, let's be real, "Escape to Paradise" is a pretty big claim. Howard Johnson La Plata, Argentina? That sounds… well, it sounds like a Howard Johnson. And yes, it is a Howard Johnson, but don't let that fool you. This place surprised me. I went in expecting a slightly above-average business hotel, but I walked out… well, feeling pretty darn relaxed. And, let me tell you, that's saying something after the chaos that is trying to navigate Buenos Aires traffic.
First Impressions & Accessibility (and My Blunders):
The first thing that struck me (besides my luggage feeling embarrassingly heavy) was the location. La Plata isn't exactly a bustling tourist hotspot, which, honestly, is part of its charm. It's a bit off the beaten path, a breath of fresh air from the frantic energy of the capital.
Accessibility is a big deal, people. BIG. DEAL. They advertise wheelchair accessibility. I didn't need it personally, but I made it a point to check things out. From what I saw, it seemed genuinely accommodating. Ramps were plentiful, elevators were spacious, and descriptions mentioned accessible rooms were indeed available. Good job, Howard Johnson, for actually caring about this! It gives me hope for humanity.
Let's Talk Internet, Because, Let's FACE IT, We're All Addicted (Sorry, Mom):
Okay, so they boast free Wi-Fi in all rooms. And I'm talking, like, screaming it from the rooftops! And… it actually worked. Consistently. Which, for Argentina, is practically a miracle. Even my video calls didn't drop mid-sentence (which, trust me, is a valuable thing when your family is involved). You can even get LAN internet access if you want to go old-school, which, well, you do you. I'm all about the Wi-Fi, personally. Saves me from untangling a mess of wires.
The Nitty Gritty: Cleanliness, Safety & My Obsessive Hand Sanitizer Use
Alright, let's be honest, travel during… gestures vaguely at the world… is a minefield of anxiety. Did I feel safe? Yes. Did I feel clean? Double yes. They are obsessed with cleanliness, and in the best possible way. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and it seemed like they were actively sanitizing everything every 5 minutes. Bonus points for the hand sanitizer dispensers EVERYWHERE. I, uh, may have used them excessively. Don't judge me.
Dining Delights (and My Unsuccessful Quest for the Perfect Empanada):
So, food. This is where things got interesting.
- Restaurants: Several options. A La carte, Asian, International, and even a Western breakfast.
- Breakfast: Buffet was the star, and they had it all: from croissants to fruit.
- Room Service: 24/7 what more could you ask for?
My quest for the perfect Argentinian empanada continued, and though Howard Johnson didn't single-handedly fulfill it (note to self: explore the local street food more next time), the food was consistently good. The coffee? Excellent. And the staff, even at 6:00 AM for breakfast, was friendly and attentive. It felt like they actually cared if you enjoyed your meal.
Relaxation & the Pool with a View (My Soulmate):
This is where Howard Johnson La Plata really shines. You see, I spend most of my life running from one thing to the next. I'm a master of the frantic to-do list. So, when I saw their seriously gorgeous outdoor pool a sense of pure serenity flooded over me. It wasn't just a pool; it was an experience.
I spent half a day just floating in that pool, staring up at the Argentinian sky and letting the sun warm my skin. There are poolside drinks? Check. The pool itself? Clean, well-maintained, and with a view of the surrounding area that felt…peaceful. I actually managed to unwind. This is huge, trust me. They also have a gym, spa, sauna, steamroom, offering body wraps, massages, etc. I didn't hit all of them (that pool, you see…), but from my quick peek, they looked top-notch.
Things to Do (Beyond Lounging by the Pool - But Seriously, Do That First):
La Plata itself is a charming city. Beyond the hotel, you can explore the city by car, cycling, or taxi.
The Room: Comfy and Functional but… Where Were the Chocolate??:
The rooms? Solid. Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? Thank goodness. They even provide all the little things like toiletries, slippers, and bathrobes. But they skimped where it really mattered: the chocolate. I’m kidding! (Kind of). They did have coffee/tea makes and free bottled water which I loved.
Services and Conveniences: From Basics to Awesome:
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Laundry service: Brilliant.
- Daily Housekeeping: Spotless, so much so that I felt guilty about messing it up.
- Currency Exchange: Super handy.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Available and accessible.
The "Meh" Bits (Because Nothing's Perfect):
Look, no place is perfect. A few minor quibbles:
- The Elevator: A bit slow during peak times. But hey, it's Argentina, right? Everything moves slower. Embrace it.
- The Lack of a Perfect Empanada: I'm still looking. (But that has nothing to do with the hotel!).
For the Kids (If You Have 'Em):
Family-friendly? Absolutely. Babysitting service, kids' meals… they've got you covered. A definite plus for families.
The Big Picture (The Emotional Bit):
Howard Johnson La Plata isn't just a place to stay; it's a place to… breathe. It's a place to recharge. It's a place where you can actually, truly, escape. I honestly didn’t expect to be so charmed. I went in expecting a practical hotel and found a genuine oasis.
Final Verdict & My Offer (Get Ready to Book!):
Overall: 4 out of 5 Stars. For the price, the amenities, the service, and most importantly, the vibe, Howard Johnson La Plata exceeded my expectations.
My Offer to YOU (Because You Deserve This!):
Ready to Ditch the Chaos and Discover Your Own "Escape to Paradise"?
Book your stay at Howard Johnson La Plata TODAY!
Here's the deal:
- Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely. Work, play, stream, whatever your heart desires.
- That Pool With a View? Yours for the dipping!
- Clean, Safe, and Stress-Free? Guaranteed (or I'll eat my hat, if I had one).
- Plus, for the next 30 days, book your stay and receive a complimentary upgrade to a room with a balcony!
Don't wait! This offer won't last forever. Click here to book your escape to paradise: [INSERT BOOKING LINK].
You deserve this. You deserve the peace. You deserve the pool. You deserve the escape.
Escape to Paradise: Unforgettable Wyndham Santa Cruz Getaway
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your perfectly manicured travel itinerary. This is a digital vomit of my potential trip to the Howard Johnson in La Plata, Argentina. Prepare for the glorious mess.
Trip: A Whirlwind Romance (with La Plata… maybe)
Destination: Howard Johnson by Wyndham La Plata, Argentina. (Sounds fancy, right? Let's see if it lives up to the hype.)
Duration: 5 Days. Five glorious, potentially disastrous days.
Budget: Let's just say "flexible," which translates to "pray the credit card gods are kind."
Day 1: Arrival and Initial WTF Moments
Morning (ish): Okay, so I'm terrible at mornings. Flight's at… oh god, 8:00 AM. That means I'll probably be a zombie. Pray for me. Fly into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires. Ugh, airports. The fluorescent lights, the screaming children, the sheer volume of people… I need coffee now.
Mid-Morning: Assuming I survive the flight (turbulent air is my nemesis), I'll stumble bleary-eyed through customs. Language barriers are my specialty. Trying to remember some basic Spanish. "Por favor, dónde está el baño?" is about the extent of my vocabulary. Pray for the customs officers.
Afternoon: Hire a transfer to the Howard Johnson. Hope it's a decent drive. I'm expecting a comfy ride, but let's be honest, I've been on buses in worse conditions. Checking into the hotel. First impressions are crucial. Is it clean? Are the staff friendly (and do they understand my terrible Spanish?) Is there a decent pool? (Very important question.)
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: After a quick refresh at the hotel, Let's explore La Plata. I'll probably wander aimlessly at first. Getting lost is part of the fun, right? (Famous last words). I'm hoping the city is charming, not just another grey concrete sprawl. The city boasts some beautiful architecture, so hopefully, I won't be disappointed. Finding somewhere to grab dinner, trying the local cuisine. Fear not the unknown, or maybe fear it a little.
Evening: Wine (required). Dinner (hopefully delicious). Bed (bliss). The first day is about surviving travel and getting my bearings.
Quirk: Pray the jet lag doesn't hit too hard. I turn into a grumpy, sleep-deprived monster.
Day 2: La Plata's Grandeur (and My Potential Clumsiness)
Morning: Okay, coffee is the key to my functioning. Big priority! Breakfast at the hotel (hopefully a good one). Then… Museo de La Plata. Apparently, it’s a big deal. Paleontology, anthropology. (I hope they have dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are always cool.) I'm more of a "look-at-the-pretty-things" kind of museum goer, but I'll try to appreciate the history.
Mid-Morning: Explore the city square. My expectations are high. Hopefully, it's not just a boring park. Maybe a cute cafe nearby for another coffee?
Afternoon: Let's be honest, I want to embrace the local culture. Maybe a cooking class (if I can find one that doesn't require advanced kitchen skills). Or, maybe I'll just spend the afternoon eating pastries and watching the world go by. (That sounds more my speed).
Late Afternoon: Visit the Catedral de La Plata. I'm not particularly religious, but I appreciate beautiful architecture. Hoping the inside is as impressive as the outside. Taking some pictures. Being a tourist… and probably getting in the way.
Evening: Okay, I'm doubling down on dinner tonight. I have to try the Argentinian steak. Seriously, it's a crime to go to Argentina and not eat steak. I'm talking juicy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Finding a top-rated restaurant (research is important, even if I hate it). Let's hope it's as good as the hype.
Emotional Reaction: Anticipation. Hunger. This is what the trip will be about. Steak. (And maybe some wine…ok, definitely wine.)
Messy Observation: I'm probably going to spill something on myself. It's practically inevitable.
Day 3: A Deep Dive (or a Gentle Plunge… Depending on My Courage)
Morning: Okay, maybe a bit of a slower start. Head to the pool! I mean, if the hotel has a decent one. Laying by the pool is a must. Sun, a book, some peace and quiet. (Fingers crossed).
Mid-Morning: Visit the Museo del Fútbol Argentino (Argentine Football Museum), I'm not a big soccer fan, but hey, it's part of the culture. I've heard it's impressive. Maybe I will become a convert.
Afternoon: The journey to try a local craft. Argentinian leatherwork, maybe? Anything is better than sitting in the hotel room.
Late Afternoon: I think I might take a long walk through the city. The beauty of La Plata is still waiting and unexplored.
Evening: The dinner plan is up to fate.
Anecdote: I always manage to embarrass myself. Maybe I'll try to bargain for a better price on a souvenir and butcher the Spanish. Let's hope the shopkeeper has a good laugh.
Day 4: A Day Trip (or a Day of Regrets?)
- Morning: Okay, deciding on a day trip. Research is key. I need to figure out what's doable and what will actually be fun.
- Mid-Morning: Visit a local winery. I heard there's an amazing winery in the area.
- Afternoon: Sightseeing.
- Evening: The dinner plan is up to fate.
Emotional Reaction: Hopeful. The day trip is a roll of the dice, but hopefully it will be worth it!
Day 5: Departure (and a Bittersweet Feeling)
Morning: A final breakfast and a slow packing. Taking a moment to savour the last few hours. Maybe a last wander through the city.
Mid-Morning: Check out of the Howard Johnson. Do a quick final sweep of the room to avoid leaving anything behind. (I'm terrible at this.)
Afternoon: Transfer back to EZE. Airport chaos. More coffee. More waiting.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Fly home. Probably already planning my next trip.
Emotional Reaction: Sadness (trip is over). Relief (going home). And a weird mix of exhaustion and excitement for the next adventure.
Quirky Observation: I'll probably buy something completely impractical at the airport (like a giant stuffed llama).
Bonus Rambles:
- The Hotel: Seriously, I'm really hoping the hotel is good. Cleanliness is non-negotiable. Good staff, good amenities, good location. And a pool. A good pool is non-negotiable.
- The Food: I'm probably going to eat all of the empanadas. And all of the dulce de leche. And ALL OF THE STEAK.
- The Language: My Spanish is terrible. It's going to be a comedy of errors. Google Translate is my new best friend.
- The People: I'm hoping everyone is friendly. I like people (most of the time).
- The Unexpected: Something will inevitably go wrong. That's part of the fun. Maybe I'll miss a train. Maybe I'll get lost. Maybe I'll accidentally order a plate of something that looks like a pet food. Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be a story.
So, there you have it. My potential, messy, imperfect travel plan to La Plata. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. And maybe send me some antacids. Just in case.
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Escape to Paradise: Howard Johnson La Plata - Let's Get Real, Folks!
Okay, spill the beans. Is the Howard Johnson La Plata *really* an "Argentinian Oasis" or just a fancy hotel pretending to be one?
Alright, let's be honest here. "Oasis" is a STRONG word. It's not like you're stepping into a desert mirage with shimmering palm trees. But... the *potential* is there. Look, after driving for ages, the pool area definitely feels like a welcome reprieve. Especially after dealing with Buenos Aires traffic. My kids, bless their hearts, were screaming "Pool! Pool!" the second we pulled up. And the fact that it was fenced off? Absolute genius. Kept the little terrors contained (mostly!).
The rooms? Pretty standard Howard Johnson fare. Clean, comfortable, nothing to write home about... except maybe for *that* view of the parking lot. (Don’t get me started! One day, I’ll write a scathing review just about parking lot views.) But hey, you’re not *living* in the room, are you? You're *escaping* it! Which is what matters, right?
So, oasis? Exaggeration. Decent escape from the… you know… the real world? Definitely. And sometimes, that's all you need.
The pool... tell me *everything* about the pool. Was it a glorious, chlorine-filled paradise or a lukewarm disappointment?
Okay, the pool. This is where things get… complicated. First, the good: it's big! Plenty of space to spread out, even with a gaggle of screaming kids vying for prime real estate. The water temp? Surprisingly pleasant. Not ice cold like some hotels. And the sun? Oh, the Argentine sun! Glorious and merciless. I swear, I got a tan just *thinking* about the pool.
Now, the not-so-good: the chairs. They were the plastic type, the ones that feel like they’ll snap when you sit down. I swear, I felt like I was trapped in a perpetual balancing act, constantly checking my weight distribution. Also… the whole "kids screaming" thing? Yeah, that wasn't just my kids. It was a full-blown aquatic symphony of shrieks and splashes. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but after a while, you crave… silence. Or at least, the gentle lapping of water. Maybe a cocktail. Anyway, bring earplugs. Seriously. And maybe a really good book.
Oh, and the towels! They’re… well, let’s just say they’ve seen better days. I snagged one that looked suspiciously like it'd been used to wipe down a car. Lesson learned: pack your own!
Speaking of food… How was the breakfast? Did it live up to the South American hype? Because I've heard *amazing* things about Argentinian breakfast.
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. This is where things… wobbled. Argentinian breakfast, in my experience, is a sacred ritual. Croissants, dulce de leche, fresh fruit, strong coffee… the works! At Howard Johnson, it was… adequate. Don't get me wrong, there was a decent spread. Your standard continental: bread, pastries (some were actually pretty delicious!), cereal, eggs, and a smattering of fruit. The coffee? Acceptable, if you like it lukewarm and watery. The juice? Definitely not fresh-squeezed. (I’m starting to see a theme, here.)
The biggest disappointment? The dulce de leche. It was… *meh*. Not that rich, creamy, sugary goodness that I’d been dreaming about. My inner Argentinian was deeply saddened. I tried some pastries and bread with the sad dulce de leche, and it was fine. My kids devoured it. I didn't want to get into a big thing about it. But, secretly, I was plotting an escape to the nearest *panaderia*.
So, did it live up to the hype? Nope. But, hey, I got fed, and that's half the battle, right?
Restaurant Experiences? What about the on-site dining, were any good?
Oh, the on-site dining. Buckle up, buttercups. This is where things get… interesting. I mean, it *was* convenient. After a long day of attempting to navigate La Plata, the thought of venturing out again for dinner… well, it was exhausting. So, we ate there. Twice.
The first time, it was decent. Standard hotel fare. My steak, a *bife de chorizo*, was actually quite good. Medium-rare, cooked to perfection. My wife, however, ordered the chicken, and it arrived looking like it'd been through a war. Dry, overcooked, and a testament to the chef's apparent lack of love for poultry. She barely touched it. (She’s a saint, my wife.) The service was… slow. Very slow. But at least the waiters were friendly, albeit stressed. The second time? Let's just say the quality was… less consistent. I swear, the steak this time was a different cut and cooked as if they had a vendetta against meat.
The kids? They were happy with the fries, though. So, win some, lose some. Overall… don't expect Michelin-star quality. Do expect convenience. Pray for a good steak. And tip generously for the poor, overworked waitstaff.
So, would you go back? Seriously. After all the ups and downs, would you recommend this place?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? After the parking lot view, the mediocre dulce de leche, the questionable chicken, and the screaming children? Honestly… yeah, probably.
Look, it's not perfect. Far from it. But it’s a decent place. It serves a purpose: a clean, safe place to rest your head. And let's be real, travel is messy. It's filled with imperfections. And sometimes, those imperfections make for the best stories. Would it be my *first* choice? No. But if I were in the area again, after a long drive, with tired, cranky kids who needed a pool? Yeah, I'd probably book another room. Plus, knowing the quirks beforehand, you can plan accordingly. Bring your own towels, pack some snacks, and lower your expectations (just a bit). Then, maybe, just maybe, you'll find your own little oasis within the… you know… the not-so-perfect paradise.
And maybe, just maybe, you'll get a decent steak.
