What was initially designed as an eight-night dream honeymoon in Argentina ultimately unfolded as a tightly compressed, four-day adventure. For John Morris, a veteran accessible travel reporter, and his partner, Stevie, a series of persistent flight delays and cancellations eroded the first half of their itinerary. By the time logistical hurdles were cleared, the couple had spent four unexpected extra nights at home and one night stranded in a Houston airport hotel, leaving them with just three nights on the ground in Buenos Aires.
Yet, maintaining a resilient outlook, the couple committed themselves to salvaging what they could of the trip. The resulting journey combined high-end frequent flyer redemptions, resourceful navigation of an international metropolis, and unforgettable cultural experiences—while exposing ongoing accessibility gaps in luxury travel.
Business and First Class Flights to Argentina Using Frequent Flyer Miles
To fund the long-haul transit from St. Louis to Buenos Aires and back, Morris utilized a total of 270,000 frequent flyer miles, drawing upon rewards accumulated over years of global travel and accessible tourism reporting. Specifically, the redemption pool comprised 120,000 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points and 150,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
For the outbound journey, Morris had originally used 60,000 Atmos Rewards points per person to secure business class seats on American Airlines. However, compounding flight disruptions forced American to reroute the couple onto a United Airlines flight. They ultimately flew in United’s Polaris Business Class aboard a Boeing 777-200ER. While the flight provided a comfortable ride, Morris noted that certain aspects of the seat’s accessibility fell short—issues he plans to examine in a forthcoming review.
The return itinerary from Buenos Aires to St. Louis was booked using 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per person. This time, the couple secured seats in Flagship First Class aboard an American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER. Because the carrier is actively phasing out international first class cabins in favor of expanded business class layouts, this trip served as a final opportunity to experience the carrier’s highest-tier product.
For disabled flyers, particularly those with a history of medical complications like pressure ulcers, the ability to recline completely flat on intercontinental routes is far more than a luxury; it is a clinical necessity. Morris, who has previously addressed the debate of whether first class is a luxury or a necessity for wheelchair travelers, found the flat beds indispensable on these long flights.
Beyond the physical comfort of a lie-flat bed, premium cabins traditionally offer enhanced meal service, lounge access, and expedited handling. However, Morris noted a sobering reality: paying for premium tickets does not guarantee specialized or elevated accessibility services. On this trip, he experienced a denial of preboarding, prolonged waits for passenger assistance, and subsequent damage to his wheelchair. In terms of systemic airport accessibility, the premium experience felt indistinguishable from flying in economy.
Booking a Wheelchair Accessible Suite
Finding genuinely accessible hotel accommodations remains a persistent challenge, even within the United States, as evidenced by Morris and Stevie’s earlier struggles with a poorly designed "accessible" suite at the Marriott St. Louis Grand on their wedding night. Abroad, the landscape is even more complex; Argentina enforces no legal mandates requiring hotels to provide fully accessible suites.
Recognizing that finding a formally adapted suite in Buenos Aires was statistically unlikely, the couple thoroughly reviewed photographs of standard suites across the city to identify a room layout they could successfully adapt to. They ultimately selected a Deluxe Suite at the Marriott Buenos Aires Downtown, a property ideally situated near the iconic Obelisk on Republic Square and the historic Teatro Colón.
The suite featured a distinct division between the bedroom, living room, and bathroom. While lacking a balcony or expansive views, the room provided ample square footage for Morris’s heavy-duty power wheelchair.
The bathroom presented a mixed bag of accessibility features. It was equipped with a roll-under vanity featuring dual sinks and a large walk-in shower alongside a soaking tub. Although the bathtub was inaccessible, the couple sourced an independent shower chair to make the stall functional. The bathroom lacked fixed grab bars, but the sturdy construction of Morris’s 400-pound power wheelchair provided sufficient stability for independent transfers. Despite these improvisations, the suite offered a comfortable, luxurious base for their shortened stay.
Getting Around in Buenos Aires
Navigating Buenos Aires required a pivot in strategy after initial transportation inquiries fell through. When Morris contacted local providers to arrange an accessible airport transfer, he was met with inflated quotes running into the hundreds of dollars. Unwilling to be exploited by exorbitant tourist pricing, the couple bypassed private options in favor of public transit.
Instead of specialized wheelchair taxis—which Morris had documented years prior under a different transit climate—they relied on city buses and purchased passes for the city’s hop-on, hop-off tourist bus. While public transit lacked the intimacy or luxury of a private car service, it proved cost-effective and surprisingly functional. The wheelchair-accessible tourist bus even featured an integrated audio guide, providing an informative narrated tour of the cityscape.
Wheelchair Accessible Tango in Buenos Aires
No cultural immersion in Argentina’s capital is complete without experiencing tango, a dance born in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata and recognized on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Seeking a definitive dinner and show experience, the couple selected Tango Porteño, a venue located just blocks from their hotel that advertised itself as wheelchair accessible.
They purchased VIP Dinner Show tickets, which promised the widest menu selection, complimentary drinks, and premium seating. Upon arrival, however, they discovered that the elevated preferred seating area was inaccessible to wheelchairs. Staff redirected them to an alternative seating arrangement in the front row, positioned directly in front of and below the main stage.
While the relocation was initially disappointing, the quality of the performance quickly overshadowed the logistical hiccup. The singers and dancers delivered a powerful, memorable show. Unfortunately, the dining experience came with an unexpected consequence: an item from the meal disagreed with Stevie, resulting in sudden illness overnight. Review platforms showed no history of similar incidents at the venue, suggesting it was an isolated event.
Michelin-Star Dinner at Don Julio Steakhouse
Buenos Aires boasts a thriving culinary scene anchored by five Michelin-starred establishments. Among them is Don Julio, an iconic steakhouse in the Palermo neighborhood that Morris had championed long before it received its Michelin star.
Securing a reservation well in advance, the couple dined inside the historic brick building. The venue’s main entrance features a barrier or lip measuring approximately 2.5 inches. While Morris’s mid-wheel drive power wheelchair managed the threshold with some effort, it could present a barrier for other models, and the restaurant currently lacks a portable ramp or an accessible restroom. Morris later contacted management to recommend installing a ramp to improve entry for future disabled patrons.
Logistical caveats aside, the meal itself fully justified its Michelin pedigree. From the house-made bread rolls to the expertly grilled cuts of beef, the culinary execution matched the high standards Morris remembered from previous visits, confirming that the restaurant’s recent accolades had not diminished its quality.
Wheelchair Accessible Day Trip to Uruguay
The disruption at the start of the trip forced the cancellation of a planned excursion to Mendoza, Argentina’s premier wine region at the foot of the Andes. To replace the lost mountain and vineyard tours, Morris and Stevie opted for a day trip to a destination Morris knew well: Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. The city’s historic Old Town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While Colonia’s historical landscape remained largely unchanged, the trip offered a novel shared experience: a ride in a wheelchair accessible golf cart rented through a local provider. This specialized equipment allowed Morris to explore areas of the city previously out of reach, including the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos, a historic bullring that has been transformed into a modern cultural and events venue. The couple traveled round-trip across the estuary aboard the wheelchair-accessible Buquebus ferry.
Final Thoughts
Although their honeymoon deviated sharply from its original blueprint—costing them five nights of relaxation and a planned journey into Mendoza’s wine country—the abbreviated time in Buenos Aires was defined by rich experiences, resourceful problem-solving, and shared resilience. Faced with imperfect accessibility and unexpected hurdles, the couple embraced the journey as an authentic travel adventure. As for the postponed visit to Mendoza, Morris views it not as a loss, but as a compelling reason to plan a second honeymoon in the future.
