Luxury hotels in Argentina
While Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is often referred to as the Paris of South America; Monica Irauzqui, Vice President and co-founder of Yampu Tours, feels there is a better description. “Buenos Aires is strong enough in unique culture, art, cuisine, and architecture to stand on it’s own as a top destination. South America is no longer a second tier destination to Europe. People who visit Buenos Aires come for the city’s unique vibe and passion. Travelers visit to sight-see, eat, drink wine, dance, collect art and fashion, or take in a concert.”
The vibrant city is plentiful with both old and new culture, a dynamic art scene, and trendy restaurants, bars, and hotels.
The beauty of Buenos Aires is stunning with broad tree lined avenues, beautiful parks, and opulent architecture. Despite the lavish ambiance of the city, due to a financial crisis in late 2001 that dropped the value of the Peso, Buenos Aires is a relatively thrifty bohemian paradise. The two deluxe hotels in Buenos Aires that I have scoured are the Faena Hotel + Universe and the Algodon Mansion.
The Faena Hotel + Universe
Conceptualized by the French designer Phillipe Starck, the Faena Hotel + Universe is a delightfully lavish accommodation. The exaggerated elegance of the Faena Hotel + Universe holds a modern and trendy décor that emphasizes red, black, and white palates.
The hotel is located in the waterfront district of Puerto Madero set apart from downtown Buenos Aires.
The uptown location of the hotel transcends to the panache pool, spa, restaurants, and onsite entertainment. The Faena Hotel + Universe have a renowned cabaret that exhibits the most popular tango show in the city. The prominent passion of the tango dancers exudes into the decadence of the hotel itself and emulates the vibrant flair of Buenos Aires.
The Algodon Mansion
Located in Recoleta, the Algodon Mansion is situated in the most elegant and sophisticated residential neighborhood in Buenos Aires.
Originally built in 1912 in a classical French design, the property was recently renovated, redecorated and unveiled anew in 2010. The new style of Algodon echoes the vivacity of Buenos Aires with a sleek fashion that does not embellish pretentiousness. The Mansion offers a rooftop pool, a decadent spa, and live music in the Library Lounge.
The hotel restaurant, Chez Nous, serves traditional French cuisine and was recently awarded five stars by a local Argentine newspaper. Despite its immense onsite luxuries, it is the attentive and personal staff at Algodon Mansion that truly defines the high quality of this hotel.
Continuing out of Buenos Aires and upwards to the foothills of the Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche is the Argentine retreat in Northwest Patagonia. Bariloche is part of the Lake District and is surrounded by pristine lakes and high peaking mountains. The inspirational views, fresh mountain air, and amazing outdoor terrain offer adventurous guests several opportunities including: skiing, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, mountain climbing and biking, hang gliding, and rafting.
El Casco Art Hotel
Set within this beautiful landscape is El Casco Art Hotel nominated one of the top ten ski resorts in the world and 2010’s best Boutique Hotel of the Inlands by Cuisine and Vines magazine. The hotel is an ideal escape that combines the beauty of both art and nature. El Casco sits on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi and holds over 475 paintings and sculptures on the property.
Cleverly designed, each of the 33 rooms has exquisite lake views and is decorated to display one artist’s work per room. With only 33 rooms available the hotel is intimate and personal mimicking an avid art collector who opened their home to a few privileged guests.
Once leaving the foothills of the Andes, and before leaving Argentina, it’s important to stay in Puerto Iguazu. This city is the home to the largely impressive Iguazu Falls. The Falls straddled the boarders of Brazil and Argentina and boast over 275 cascading waterfalls that stretch over a mile in length. Iguazu Falls offer several on site activities to allow visitors to truly experience its magnificent beauty and power that includes: soft boat trips, bird watching, canopying, tree climbing, and wet rappelling. Also located at the Falls is a 49 acre large bird rehabilitation center, a must see for any nature enthusiast.
Panoramic Hotel
Undeniably, the most dramatic effect of Iguazu Falls is the sheer beauty and power of nature. Sitting high on a hill at the meeting point of the Iguazu and Parana Rivers is the Panoramic Hotel. True to its name the hotel offers striking views of the Three Frontiers of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The hotel was built in the 1940s by renowned Argentine architect Alejandro Bustillo popular for his celebrated luxury architecture which includes the like the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Bank of Argentina. The hotel features a posh roman bath, a full fitness center, a solarium, and an impressive rooftop pool overlooking the Falls.
Yampu offers a variety of Luxury Argentina Tours that showcase the country’s most beautiful destinations.
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