Charm to spare: tips from the concierge at the InterContinental Hotel in Buenos Aires.

Where do you recommend for business lunches and dinners in Buenos Aires?

The city offers a range of options that are very close to the city center. There is Puerto Madero, which is considered a restaurant area. It's possible to find restaurants for all tastes there. If you prefer meat dishes, Cabala Las Lilas is the best choice. Katrine serves international food. To enjoy a wide variety of Argentine wines, Hondo Restaurant and Wines is a good choice. Besides meat, they also serve seafood there, and the restaurant has a private space for business meetings.

If I travel with a group, what is the best the city has to offer?

If travelers are staying in a hotel downtown, the city offers excellent attractions within walking distance. Normally, a visit to La Boca is interesting, which is where the stadium for the Boca Juniors soccer team is located. It's also where the first Italian immigrants arrived in Argentina. A visit to San Telmo is worthwhile, the oldest and most historic area in Buenos Aires. Continue along Avenida Mayo and you'll end up at Plaza de Mayo, where you'll find the Casa Rosada, the seat of government, and Palermo, a very beautiful neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets. To finish the stroll, a walk through Recoleta is ideal. It's home to the Argentine elite and it is the richest area of the city, with museums, fine boutiques and many restaurants.

On my days off, what is the best way to impress a client?

A good tango show, with all the traditional luxury and pomp of the show houses. Accompanied by a good orchestra, a company of professional dancers can really impress a visitor. Spending a day at a typical ranch is a chance to understand the country's past. Besides plenty of history, such outings offer activities like horseback riding, polo, and enjoying wide-open, green spaces.

What two areas would you recommend for shopping?

Avenida Santa Fe is very pretty and at the same time offers a countless array of boutiques that you can explore in complete safety and tranquility. Calle Alvear has more refined shops, while Avenida Florida is more middle class, but the stores are always very crowded with tourists.

Pablo Agosti has worked as a concierge for 15 years and has served guests at the InterContinental Hotel in Buenos Aires for 12 years.

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