The HI affiliate is La Casona de Don Jaime 1 (Roca 1051, tel. 0341/527-9964, www.youthhostelrosario.com.ar, US$8–12 pp dorm, US$23–36 s or d), which has mostly dorms but a couple of private rooms as well. Its expanded La Casona de don Jaime 2 (San Lorenzo 1530, tel. 0341/530-2020, US$9–16 pp dorm, US$29–42 s or d) is more spacious and has more private rooms with updated baths. Weekend rates tend toward the upper end of the scale.

The friendly 83 Rosario Hostel (Córdoba 824, tel. 0341/424-3587, www.83rosariohostel.com.ar, US$9–13 pp) occupies an old attractive house directly on the pedestrian mall, but this location is as dead as a cemetery at night—good if you want to sleep, but not so good for walking to the action.

Hotel Litoral (Entre Ríos 1043, tel. 0341/421-1426, www.hotellitoralrosario.com.ar, US$21 s, US$34 d) is a friendly, no-frills but clean budget option, with air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. Some of its 60 rooms boast balconies, but that’s a mixed blessing, given the proximity of busy Plaza Sarmiento.

Neither new (though it has upgraded in recent years) nor European (despite its deco-ish exterior), Nuevo Hotel Europeo (San Luis 1364, tel. 0341/424-0382, www.nuevohoteleuropeo.com, US$36 s, US$49 d) has 90 spacious, well-lighted rooms with air-conditioning, phones, and TV. Hotel Benidorm (San Juan 1049, tel. 0341/421-9368, www.hotelbenidorm.com.ar, US$40 s, US$56 d) is a good mid-range choice with parking.

On a short block with little traffic, Hotel Rosario (Ricardone 1365, tel. 0341/424-2170, www.hotelrosario.com.ar, US$52 s, US$60 d) is no longer a giveaway, but its rooms are ample and well maintained with air-conditioning, cable TV, and parking; even better rooms cost just a little more.

Hotel Presidente (Corrientes 919, tel./fax 0341/424-2545, www.solans.com, US$64 s, US$70 d) is part of a chain of not-quite-luxurious business-oriented hotels with excellent service and amenities. Try negotiating a lower rate, especially for longer stays. Under the same management, Hotel Riviera (San Lorenzo 1486, tel. 0341/424-2058, www.solans.com, US$70 s, US$86 d, US$95–101 s or d) is a step up, especially in its suites.

For decades a favorite for low-cost grand hotel nostalgia, the century-old 84-room Hotel Esplendor Savoy Rosario (San Lorenzo 1022, tel. 0341/429-6000, www.esplendorsavoyrosario.com, US$75–179 s or d) has undergone a major restoration and modernization that has taken it well out of the shoestring category. It’s still good value in the summer low season, though, even if prices rise slightly on weekends.

With 139 rooms, the still-sparkling Hotel Plaza Real (Santa Fe 1632, tel./fax 0341/440-8800, www.plazarealhotel.com, US$95–198 s or d with buffet breakfast) is a legitimate four-star facility. Amenities include a pool and sauna, but parking costs US$10 extra.

Rosario’s first five-star facility, the 139-room Ros Tower Hotel-Spa & Convention Center (Mitre 299, tel. 0341/529-9000, www.rostowerhotel.com.ar, US$218–342 s or d) has ample standard rooms and more spacious suites (with Jacuzzis), plus amenities such as a buffet breakfast and a surprisingly large rooftop pool. Its Aguaterra Spa offers saunas, massages, and Jacuzzis as well; there are occasional substantial discounts off the rack rates.