With its intimate atmosphere, curated art and mood lighting, walking into Casa Lucía feels more like going into a stylish uptown bar than a classic hotel. There’s even a resident DJ.

That’s deliberate, according to Casa Lucía’s Director General Federico Uberto: sure, it’s five-star, but you’re supposed to feel at ease. 

“Here, there’s relaxing music, it invites you to sit down and relax. You actually have to look for the reception,” Uberto said.

Casa Lucía opened its doors on January 29 in the iconic Mihanovich building. Located on Arroyo street, in the heart of Retiro neighborhood, the hotel is just minutes from major Buenos Aires landmarks such as Teatro Colón and Plaza San Martín, as well as the Florería Atlántico, the secret restaurant in a flower shop that has ironically become world-famous.

Guests don’t need to leave the hotel to enjoy their stay, though. The house restaurant serves over 400 Argentine wines and delectable takes on the nation’s classic foods, which Uberto describes as “typical cantina dishes with a different presentation.”

Illuminating the hotel lobby are lights created by multi-award-winning Argentine designer, Cristián Mohaded.

Casa Lucía has 142 rooms and suites, tastefully appointed in warm, cream and wood tones that evoke Argentine comfort and tradition. Some rooms feature balconies.

The hotel also offers a spa, pool, massages, and — for guests arriving from long flights before check-in time — courtesy cabins for resting and showering.

The bar, where cocktails expertly curated by master mixologist Martín Suaya, has an outdoor deck where guests at the hotel can mingle with porteños looking for special after-work drinks.

Casa Lucia is part of Único Hotels, an independent hotel collection by the Barcelona-born hotelier, Pau Guardans. Collection, not chain, Uberto emphasizes, because unlike hotels that have the same brand in all the world’s major cities, Casa Lucía is unique. 

“There will never be a Casa Lucía in any other part of the world,” he said.

• Casa Lucía, Arroyo 841. Rooms start from US$670 per person per night. For more information and to book, visit www.hotelcasalucia.com