Tel Aviv is getting a new stylish boutique hotel and restaurant. The Montefiore has just opened with 12 rooms, a restaurant and bar, in the center of Tel Aviv close to Rothschild Boulevard and the Bauhaus buildings. Until now, the only alternative to the large chain hotels has been the Nina Cafe Suites in the trendy Neve Tzedek neighborhood.

• Vibe: Modern colonial chic in a 1920s heritage building set in the middle of Tel Aviv

• Pros: Only 12 rooms, full service concierge, beautiful interiors; has a restaurant and bar

• Cons: Must reserve well in advance

Hotel Montefiore
Montefiore 36
Tel Aviv, Israel
+972 3 5646100
www.hotelmontefiore.co.il

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Check out all of Mapplr’s favorite restaurants and cafes in Tel Aviv.

I just posted my favorite hotels in Buenos Aires, so now here are my favorite restaurants and cafes (gelato bars). The gelato in Buenos Aires is very good so don’t miss it.

788 Food Bar
Arenales 1877
Recoleta
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4814 4788
Mediterranean creative

Almanza
Charcas 4799
Palermo viejo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4771 2285
Eclectic casual

Buddha BA
Arribeños 2288
Belgrano
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4706 2382
www.buddhabar.com.ar
Pan-Asian creative

Cabernet
Jorge L. Borges 1757
Palermo viejo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Wine bar, eclectic creative

Damblee
Av. Rivadavia 3402
Balvanera
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4861 1629
Mediterranean fish

El Trapiche
Paraguay 5099
Palermo Viejo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Parrilla (mixed grill)

Lola, Guido and Junín
Recoleta
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4804 5959
www.lolarestaurant.com
French upscale

Maat
Sucre 2168
Belgrano
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4896 1818
www.maatclubprivado.com.ar
Eclectic upscale

Puratierra
3 de Febrero 1167
Belgrano
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4899 2007
www.puratierra.com.ar
Eclectic elegant

Urondo
Beauchef 1204
Parque Chacabuco
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Creative casual

Zadvarie DOC
Uriarte 1423
Palermo viejo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Peruvian creative upscale

Casa Saltshaker
Private restaurant
Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.casasaltshaker.com/indexen.htm
Reserve online (maximum 12 guests)

Cafes / Gelato bars

Chungo
Arias 2510
Saavedra/Nuñez
Buenos Aires, Argentina
gelato

La Comarca
Juramento 2492
Belgrano
Buenos Aires, Argentina
gelato

Scannapieco
Córdoba 4826
Buenos Aires, Argentina
gelato

Un Altra Volta
Santa Fé 1826
Recoleta
Buenos Aires, Argentina
gelato

Rio is the ultimate beach and party getaway. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere and dread the coming winter, look no further than Rio. There are other things to do besides hanging out on the beach. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer in Niteroi across the bay from Rio. It’s a futuristic building that looks like a spaceship. And if you are going to Carnival, make your hotel reservations now. Here is my list of favorite hotels in Rio.

Hotel Portinari
Copacabana
Rua Francisco Sá 17 - Posto 6
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+ 55 21 3222  8800
www.hotelportinari.com.br

Mama Ruisa
Santa Teresa
132 rua santa cristina
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+ 55 21 2242 1281
www.mamaruisa.com

Relais Solar
Santa Teresa
Ladeira do Meirelles, 32
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 2221 2117
www.solardesanta.com.br

Casa Mango Mango
Santa Teresa
Rua Joaquim Murtinho 587
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 2508 6440
www.casa-mangomango.com

Castelinho38
Santa Teresa
Rua Triunfo, 38
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 2252-2549
skype: Castelinho38
www.castelinho38.com

Fasano Rio
Ipanema
Ave Vieira souto 80
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 3202 4000
www.fasano.com.br

Marina All Suites
Leblon
Av. Delfim Moreira, 696
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 2172-1001
www.marinaallsuites.com.br

La Suite
Joatinga
Rua Jackson de Figueiredo, 501
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 24 84 19 62
www.kiwicollection.com/property/la-suite-inn-rio-de-janeiro

La Maison
Gávea
Rua Sergio Porto, 58
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 3205-3585
www.lamaisonario.com

Casa 32
Cosme Velho
Largo do Boticário 32
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
+55 21 2265-0943
www.casa32.com

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Here is a Google map of my favorite hotels in Rio.

View Larger Map

It’s not too early to make reservations at any one of these delightful hotels in Buenos Aires. Most people think they should visit Argentina in the months of December and January, but actually you should go in the springtime - October and November. Buenos Aires in January is too hot and humid. That’s why the locals flee to the beaches of Uruguay and beyond.

Buenos Aires is “in” again. A lot of artists and other creative types have moved in from New York, Amsterdam, Paris and London where the good life is beyond the reach of mere mortals. Many have bought and renovated apartments, while others have opened boutique hotels and restaurants, giving the city more choices for food, the kind of fresh innovative cuisine you find in other places. The neighborhood of Palermo is the trendiest place to be, with funky boutiques and excellent bars.

To help you make your Buenos Aires travel plans, I have listed my favorite places to stay (some are hotels, others are loft apartments) in Buenos Aires.

Palermo Soho Loft
1396 Armenia
Palermo Soho
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4775 3620
www.palermosoholoft.com

CE Design Hotel
Marcelo T. Alvear
1695 Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 5237 3100
www.designce.com

Five Cool Rooms
Honduras 4742
Palermo SoHo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 5235 5555
www.fivebuenosaires.com

Soho All Suites
Honduras 4762
Palermo Soho
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4832-3000
www.sohoallsuites.com.ar

Legado Mitico
Gurruchanga 1848
Palermo Soho
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4833-1300
www.legadomitico.com

Home Hotel
Honduras 5860
Palermo Viejo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4778 1008
www.homebuenosaires.com

Moreno Hotel
376 Moreno Street
San Telmo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 6091 2000
www.morenobuenosaires.com

La Cayetana Hotel México
1330 Monserrat
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 5237 1244
www.lacayetanahotel.com.ar

Art Hotel
Azcuenaga 1268
Bario Norte/Recoleta
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4821 4744
www.arthotel.com.ar

Faena Hotel and Universe
Martha Salotti 445
Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 4010 9000
www.faenahotelanduniverse.com

When the Beijing Olympics officially begin on August 8, thousands of visitors will descend upon the city to enjoy the games and to explore the country. Many will be visiting Shanghai and Hong Kong, too. That’s why I have put together a list of favorite hotels and restaurants in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. We have tried hard to select independent boutique hotels and luxury B&Bs, but it was not easy. Most of these cities have a lot of large luxury hotels, mostly belonging to chains. In time, I believe we will see more local entrepreneurs set up stylish, small hotels and B&B.

Click on the articles below:

Mapplr’s favorite hotels and restaurants in Beijing

Hotel G: stylish boutique hotel opens in Beijing

Mapplr’s favorite hotels in Shanghai

Mapplr’s favorite restaurants in Shanghai

Mapplr’s favorite restaurants in Hong Kong

Mapplr’s favorite hotels in Hong Kong