MISSION The Hyatt has had a change of address. It’s moved three blocks down the road to the exclusive Avenida Alvear. So beware, because not all the taxi drivers know and you don’t want to end up like me, trying to check into the Four Seasons and finally having to cart your suitcase down the road - very un-glam. I wanted to find out what one of the old-style hotels in Buenos Aires has to offer.

USP The hotel has been renamed the Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt, to reflect the fact there are two buildings, facing each other, linked by the garden or an underground tunnel complete with changing art exhibitions. The Palacio Duhau is a recently renovated family mansion, which was built in 1934 and inspired by the Chateau Le Marais in France. It is very much, massive ballrooms and beautiful terraces overlooking the garden and oak-clad bars.

In the basement they have built the new Ahin Spa which has an amazing 82-foot indoor heated swimming pool. The spa prides itself on its body treatments. Liwen, Ragiantu and Pun are three special treatments all linked to the time of the day you have them. Energising ones for the morning, healing in the afternoon, and the most relaxing one for the evening.

AMBIENCE What hits you when you walk into the spa’s reception is how peaceful everything is, away from the bustle of Buenos Aires. The staff are incredibly polite and immaculately turned out in white India suits. Through the gigantic glass window which runs down the whole length of the spa you can see the swimming pool behind them, inviting you to take a dip.

There is a state-of-the-art gym with designer machines especially imported from Italy. Gym bunnies are given i-Pods, because the therapists don’t like the idea of loud music pumping out and disturbing the spa guests. Music seems to be a bit of a theme because I was given a choice of what to listen to during my treatment, which made a welcome relief from the back to back Enya that normally seems to be de rigeur. As expected there is a sauna and Jacuzzi for the guests to relax in.

EXPERIENCE I was told that guests normally opt for the Swedish massage and that Brits are particularly obsessed with deep tissue massages. But, I wanted to try something a bit different so I was steered towards the aromatherapy renewal massage with Rosanne. Like other therapists I had come across in Buenos Aires, she told me that you need at least two years of study before they let you loose on the clients. And they are regularly sent on courses to keep up to date with the latest techniques.

The treatment rooms come complete with a chaise lounge, where you could enjoy a relaxing cup of tea after your treatment. In keeping with the aromatherapy theme she wafted the oils under my nose before she started. I particularly liked the work she did on my legs and feet which were tired out from all that shopping!

My next treatment was called Ragiantu which you are meant to have between 1pm and 5pm, as that is when your body best responds. I was smeared with Argentinean mud, infused with rosehip oil, infamous in Argentina for keeping your skin looking young. I was then wrapped in cling film which felt a bit strange but it is meant to be the best way for the mud to really do its stuff and work its way through the pores into your body. I felt incredibly relaxed by the end of it as I sipped the special calming green tea they had prepared for me.

PRODUCTS The spa has an exclusive range of Italian products called Comfort Zone which they use for facials, body treatments and massages. But, if you want something more home grown they also use an Argentinean range called Arcakadia which includes the mud with extracts of rosehip.

IN-CROWD Fat-cat businessmen trying to de-stress, but who spend of a lot of their time sneaking off to make conference calls on their mobiles. Glamorous, American tourists taking advantage of being in one of the most exclusive shopping areas in town. Locals, who are members of the spa and like to drop by and relax.

FOOD There was fresh fruit on offer at the spa as well as plentiful supplies of water with lots of slices of lemon, or oranges floating about in it. I was also offered a choice of teas and infusions before and after my treatments. The hotel has an Italian style restaurant and a bistro where I ate a delicious smoked salmon salad for about £8.

WALLET WATCH Compared to Europe, for such a luxurious hotel the treatments are good value. But for the locals it’s a different story. My massage was about £50 and my Ragiantu treatment was £40. The rest of the treatments all range between £40 and £75 and that will buy you anything from a facial to a lymphatic drainage massage. Palacio Duhau starts from £270 per night/double; flights start from £699. Book through Exsus Travel (www.exsus.com; 020 7292 5050)

NEED TO KNOW Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt, Avenida Alvear 1661, Buenos Aires, Argentina (+54 11 5171 1234; www.buenosaires.park.hyatt.com)

For more than 200 independent spa reviews: timesonline.co.uk/goodspaguide

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