Where to Stay in Argentina: Lodging Tips

From upscale city-center hotels in the European style to gaucho resorts where you can wander off into the Pampas sunset on horseback, Argentina has a broad array of lodging options. Some of the most luxurious bear the Relais & Chateaux label and are scattered throughout the country. There are plenty of budget accommodations too, including local chains, hostels and even historical boutique options that belong to the Small Hotels Argentina system across many price points. Below is an overview of Argentina’s best lodging choices.

Luxury Hotels

Some of the finest hotels in South America are concentrated in Buenos Aires. The vast majority are in the white marble-veneered neighborhood of Recoleta, a chignon’s throw from where Evita Peron is buried. Some of them are international chains, like the Park Hyatt and the Four Seasons, which incorporate historical turn-of-the-century mansions into their design. Others are uniquely Argentine, like the Alvear Palace or the Faena Hotel, an eclectic urban resort hotel with a cabaret for tango shows and a Middle Eastern hammam-style spa. Palermo Viejo and other Buenos Aires neighborhoods are famed for their small boutique properties, many in charming historical buildings just paces from some of the continent’s best shopping.

Throughout Argentina, you will also find other luxurious properties. These include the Llao Llao in the ski-crazy town of Bariloche, with its golf courses and gardens, set with a view of the surrounding Andes and Lake Nahuel Huapi. It has the same owners as the Alvear Palace and offers a sense of rustic luxury with its vast timber-roofed spaces. Borello Travel and Vaya Adventures can help you find and book Argentina’s most upscale properties.

Luxury Hotel Resources:
BorelloTravel.com
DestinationArgentina.com
RelaisChateaux.com
SmallHotelsArgentina.com
VayaAdventures.com

Eco-Resorts

Argentina’s vast size lends itself to great ecological diversity, and there are numerous well-located resorts to help you explore these natural landscapes. Among the most interesting and close to Buenos Aires are those in the Tigre Delta, set on the sedimentary islands of one of the world’s largest inland deltas, including Rumbo 90 and Delta Eco Spa. Keep in mind that some of these remote resorts don’t accept children under a certain age in order to maintain tranquility.

Near Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian and Paraguayan border, you’ll find fantastically situated resorts and hotels. Among them are the Sheraton, right on the edge of the falls, and the Iguazu Grand in Puerto Iguazu with its lushly landscaped grounds. Equally incredible properties are just across the border in Brazil.

Argentina Eco-Resort Resources:
www.DeltaEcoSpa.com.ar
IguazuGrand.com/en
Rumbo90.com.ar
StarwoodHotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1152
VayaAdventures.com

Estancias

One of the most relaxing ways to see Argentina is to do an estancia stay. Estancias are working ranches that are vital to the country’s beef industry, where gauchos raise cattle. Many are now open to the public, offering pools, horseback riding and gaucho shows — mini-rodeos where the gauchos compete to show off their skills.

While peaceful today, the history of estancias is not so tranquil. Many trace their roots as combination fort/farms during the 1800s campaigns against the native population as Argentina expanded, modernized and consolidated in the post-colonial period.

The vast majority of estancias that tourists will visit are in the exurban areas of Buenos Aires, particularly surrounding San Antonio de Areco and Capilla del Senor. The range of style varies considerably, from simple, rustic estancias like El Cencerro to more luxurious accommodations such as El Ombu de Areco and La Bamba, perhaps the country’s most indulgent estancia. Though less popular, estancias are also found elsewhere in Argentina, such Patagonia and the Salta region. Almost all can arrange your transit from Buenos Aires or other airports.

The website EstanciasArgentinas.com gives lists of estancias throughout Argentina, with a province-by-province guide. WelcomeArgentina.com provides similar lists divided by geographic region.

Estancia Resources:
ArecoTradicion.com
EstanciasArgentinas.com
EstanciaelCencerro.com.ar
EstanciaelOmbu.com
LaBambadeAreco.com
SanAntoniodeAreco.com (Spanish only)
WelcomeArgentina.com/estancias

Apartment and House Rentals

If you are coming to Argentina for an extended period or traveling in a large group of family or friends (who all get along!), renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel can be an economical option. In Buenos Aires and other cities, units are often located in new high-rise apartment buildings with full luxury amenities, including 24-hour security, indoor or outdoor pool, Internet and cable, fitness center, playgrounds and other recreational areas. Some rental services are more eclectic, stringing together listings from individual landlords so as to pool choices.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sign Up

It is best to peruse the listings on apartment rental websites to get an idea of location, choice, internal and external amenities, and availability. Some resort locations, such as the more exclusive beach cities of Pinamar and Carilo in southern Buenos Aires province, will also have entire beachside vacation homes for rent, but these usually require the expertise of a qualified travel agent like Borello Travel.

If you are unfamiliar with Argentina and are the type of traveler who often asks questions of a concierge, independent apartment living might not be right for your first trip.

Argentina Apartment Rental Resources:
ApartmentsBA.com
BestRentalsBA.com
BorelloTravel.com
TemporaryApartments.com.ar

Winery Accommodations

Argentina is one of the world’s most important wine producers, and many of its wineries now have lodges, allowing you to bask in the agricultural splendor and learn a thing or two about production. The vast majority are near Mendoza, the heart of the wine region.

One of the most exclusive and luxurious of these resorts is the Cavas Wine Lodge. There is a main house for the resort, and individual adobe bungalows are set just outside of the vineyard, each with a private hot tub and roof terrace for watching the sun set — a very romantic option for couples. Less expensive options include Finca Adalgisa and Club Tapiz, both relatively close to Mendoza.

Mendoza does not have a monopoly on wine lodges; near San Rafael, Algodon Wine Estates is another luxurious property. Other lodges exist near Cafayate in the north of the country and in Neuquin, Patagonia. Trout and Wine, a Mendoza travel company, can arrange wine country stays. If you stay at a wine resort, you might want to consider renting a car so you can also go and explore on your own.

Argentina Winery Accommodation Resources:
AlgodonMansion.com/wine_estates
CavasWineLodge.com
FincaAdalgisa.com.ar
Tapiz.com.ar
TroutandWine.com

Hostels

Argentina has numerous hostels aimed at the young and budget-conscious of any age. In Buenos Aires, many of these are concentrated in historic neighborhoods like San Telmo, putting you right in the middle of a great bar and music scene.

Hostels are scattered all over the country, from El Chalten, near Los Glaciares National Park on the Chilean border, to rustic hostels in Salta, putting you in touch with remnants of Incan culture that still remain in this northwest corner of the country. In short, wherever you want to be in Argentina, you’ll find an affordable hostel.

The travel company Say Hueque can help you find these accommodations, tying them in with other economy-minded travel adventures throughout Argentina and surrounding countries. Many hostels have basic private rooms, or you may be able to rent an entire shared group room when traveling with friends or as a family.

Argentina Hostel Resources:
Hostels.com
Hostels.org.ar
SayHueque.com

You May Also Like

Getting Around Argentina: Transportation Tips
Buenos Aires Travel Guide

–written by Michael Luongo