Interview with Diego García, General Manager at Azur Real Hotel Boutique from Córdoba, Argentina

Lifestyle - Interview

by Melisa Kaya

Azur Real Hotel Boutique is located in a historic building that reflecting the Architectural Legacy of Córdoba City since it was built in 1905. With uniquely decorated rooms, Terrace, La Pulperia, Deli, and the Azur Spa that offer unforgettable wellness experience, Azur Real Hotel Boutique has been hosting its guests since 2009. Cordoba has a lot of different attractions and activity options that guest could live new experiences such as horseback riding, bike rides, and paragliding. I talked with Diego García, General Manager at Azur Real Hotel Boutique, to learn more about the features and services of Azur Real Hotel Boutique and the charm of Córdoba.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique

Diego, could you tell us about yourself? Who is Diego García?

I am 35 years old and I have been working in luxury hotels for 11 years.

I have studied Hotelery Management and I am very happy of being part of this beautiful project in Córdoba city where I was born.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Habitacion Superior

Could you briefly tell us about hospitality culture in Argentina? What does Guest mean to you and your team?

I think in Argentina, in general, we have a high level of service focused mainly on guests needs.

In Azur Real, we work very hard to try to satisfy our guests' expectations and go beyond them.

We believe that our service is the most valuable product and we do our best to make our guests feel at home.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Cordoba, Argentina

Azur Real Hotel Boutique is located in Cordoba. What can you tell us about Cordoba? What are the advantages of being there?

In Cordoba you will find amazing landscapes; hills surrounded by towns full of traditions; horse riding at the fee of the mountains; bike, paragliding and boat tours; First-Class cuisine, hospitality like no other, corners full of Bohemia and fun; great lakes and crystal-water streams.

Besides, Azur Real is located in the heart of the commercial and historical center of Córdoba city, just 20 minutes away from the airport. Sited in a unique district of the city, surrounded by the Jesuit Block -declared World Heritage Site- and several trendy stores.

Could you tell us about Azur Real Hotel Boutique and overall concept?

Azur Real Hotel is a hidden hotel where you can relax, find intimate spaces and be surprised with every detail for a unique accommodation in one of the most exclusive hotels in the city center.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique

Please tell us about the building that you are located in and its design details.

The hotel is located in an ancient big house built in 1915, and is part of the Architectural Legacy of Córdoba City.

Exclusive design and impressive spaces; a place where you can breathe the peace of an ancient house and enjoy the comfort of a modern hotel.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Habitacion Deluxe

How many different types of rooms do you offer to your customers? What are their distinctive features?

Azur Real has 16 rooms with a unique architectural style and modern design;

We have 4 rooms categories but all of them are equipped with best amenities such as pillow menu, LCD TV, WiFi internet, digital safe, minibar, Scotish shower, and 180 thread count American percale sheets among other exclusive details.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - La Pulperia

You have three different spaces for your guests and events. Could you briefly tell us about Terrace, La Pulperia, Deli, and the Conference room? What could your guests find in these places?

Azur Real Hotel has different spaces for events. They can be used independently or together for bigger events.

The terrace is a spacious place to relax. Here you can enjoy the sun with snacks and beverages around the plunge pool, in the solarium or lying in a deck chair. Ideal for outdoor events.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Terraza

La Pulperia offers a unique local cuisine adn excellent personalized service. A charming environment and unique flavors merge into this place.

Azur Deli is a traditional old grocery store where aromas and flavors are enhanced. Premium wines merge with a unique boutique of regional products.

Our conference room is equipped with the highest technology and together with an excellent service, makes any corporate or social event a unique moment.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Spa

Please tell us about your services and amenities that make your guests stay unforgettable. How could your guests spend time at Azur Real Hotel Boutique?

An unforgettable wellness experience is our private Spa. This is an exclusive space in Cordoba, carefully thought to make our guests stay more pleasant.

Our spa offers an exclusive selection of first-class organic products, pure essential oils, and care for the use of each product.

The treatments and massages are specially designed for a complete harmony of body, soul and spirit.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Deli

What can your guests do when they step out of Azur Real Hotel Boutique and step into the streets of Cordoba?

Córdoba is a famous city full of soul, bohemian alleys decorated with music and colour. In Córdoba, you will Experience the cultural, historic and architectural legacy of this ancient town while enjoying its diverse culinary delicacies.

What kind of different experiences does Cordoba offer to your guests?

Córdoba offers a lot of different activities to our guests.

Besides stunning landscapes, In Cordoba, you can experience the Jesuit Legacy, a Gastronomic heritage and the “Gaucho” tradition.

To mention some of the activities, in Cordoba you can practice Adventure tourism, dove shooting, horseback riding, paragliding, trekking, fishing, etc.

Cordoba is also famous for having an important golf tradition, with the best golf courses located very close to the city.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Salon de Eventos

What kind of additional services do you offer for business travelers?

For business travelers, Azur Real offers the following services included in the room rate:

Buffet breakfast
Individual temperature control in each room.
Housekeeping service twice a day.
Luggage storage.
Digital Safe in each room.
Pillow menu.
Shoeshine service.
Wi-Fi in each room.
Bathrobes and slippers
Personal care products
Professional hair dryer
Professional hair iron (on request)
Netbook (on request)
Also, we offer a special rate corporate rate for business travelers.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique - Gimnasio

How can travelers make their individual or business/group reservations? Do you have any advantage packs that you offer to your regular and long-term guests?

They can make the reservations through our website, via e-mail or by phone. Of course, we offer advantages to our regular guest as special rates and room preferences.

Also, we offer special discounts in the room rate for stays with a minimum of 7 days. Besides we have a weekend promotion that we offer to all our guests staying at least 3 nights.

There is a tax advantage for foreign tourist, could you briefly tell us about this advantage?

In Argentina, foreign tourists are exempt to pay 21% VAT of the room rate if they pay with their credit card.

Azur Real Hotel Boutique

Which is the top season for travelers who want to visit Cordoba? What is the reason?

There is not a top Season, you can visit Cordoba the whole year as we have a very good weather and all the activities can be practiced almost at any time.

What are the most famous attractions near you?

These are some of the most famous attractions of the city located just one or two blocks away from the hotel:

- San Martín Square
- Cathedral Church
- Cabildo (Historic City Hall)
- Jesuit Block
- Montserrat College
- Patio Olmos Shopping

If you have only one weekend in Cordoba as a first-time visitor, in this limited time, what are the best things to do?

These are some of the activities you must do when you visit Córdoba city:

- To rove and discover the city by bike.
- Visit the Juan de Tejeda Museum of Religious Art.
- Walk by Güemes neighborhood and handicraftsman square since 6 pm every weekend.
- Have dinner at Papagayo Restaurant.
- Go to a folk music show “peña” or traditional “milonga” (Tango dance), where the locals go to have fun.

How do you describe Cordoba in one sentence?

Córdoba, one destination, one thousand landscapes.

Thank you Diego for this enjoyable interview.

For more information, please visit the website of Azur Real Hotel Boutique

This interview was conducted in a Question-and-Answer format. The answers were checked for grammar and punctuation and published without any additional editing. Thursday, November 1, 2018. All photos are the property of their respective owners.