Best hotels in Argentine Patagonia

Opening its doors at the end of 2021, El Chalten is the latest of Explora’s luxurious lodges, where adventure is the name of the game and disconnecting from the modern world is encouraged - and with a setting in the private 14,000-acre Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, neither of those are hard to achieve! Within easy reach of the iconic peaks of Mount Fitz Roy, it's the ultimate HQ for exploring this incredible, glacier-filled corner of Argentina and a great base for exploring the Southern Ice Field. The all-inclusive model means endless excursion opportunities with the world-class guides and puts some of the wildest corners of Patagonia at your fingertips.

The all-inclusive Aguas Arriba Lodge is truly one-of-a-kind. Sitting on the banks of Lago del Desierto, 37 kilometres from El Chalten, it's the only man-made structure on the lake and surrounded by nothing but gorgeous southern beech forest to one side and the vastness of the lake and Vespignani Glacier to the other. It will come as no surprise that the secluded spot is accessible only by boat - unless you want to hike. Accompanied by one of the lodge’s guides, a three-hour walk through the forest will lead you to the front door, whilst your luggage travels comfortably by boat. If you’re up for it, it’s certainly worth it!

Just off the main road in El Chalten, Hosteria El Puma is one of the most charming lodges around town, offering amazing comfort and a down-to-earth atmosphere. It might not be overly fancy, but the lodge has been very well thought out and, owned by a mountain guide, it's ideal for travellers who enjoy nature and the outdoors. On top of that, the service is outstanding, the laid-back and welcoming vibe is soothing and the location, right next to the start of many of the park’s trails, is unbeatable. If you’re not one for overly ritzy, resort-style hotels, Hosteria El Puma is calling your name.

Positioned in Patagonia's adventure capital, this welcoming base strikes the perfect note between comfort and practicality. The spa provides much-needed muscle relief after glacier hikes, while the artisan bakery's morning aromas could tempt even the most determined mountaineer to linger over breakfast. It's refreshingly unpretentious, focusing instead on the essentials that matter after a day in the wild.

Back in the 70s and 80s, the popular El Casco hotel, owned and hosted by a German aristocrat couple, exuded European glamour and attracted visitors from all around the world. It then went through a series of owners and even closed its doors for a few years before being taken over by an avid Argentinian art collector. Nowadays, while preserving its original spirit of elegance and hospitality, the renovated version of El Casco is all about the 500+ original paintings and sculptures by Argentinian artists, impeccably decorating every last room. Coupled with the dreamy surroundings, this is one unforgettable experience.

A few metres from the shore of the Golfo Nuevo is the Rayentray Grand Hotel, where you can experience the comfort of the hotel's hospitality and the beauty of the Patagonian nature.

The hotel has 170 rooms with direct sea view and an excellent restaurant where you will be able to taste a variety of local and international cuisine.

Some hotels simply provide a bed for the night; others invite you into a world they've meticulously crafted. This newcomer to El Calafate falls firmly into the latter camp. Born from the complete transformation of a former guesthouse, the property has emerged as something rather special – a design-conscious bolthole where every material, scent and texture has been chosen to echo the wild landscape beyond. Run by siblings Luisina and Facundo Perez Costa, there's a warmth here that feels genuinely familial rather than corporate. The building features charred timber using the ancient Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique – a rather clever nod to sustainability that also happens to look extremely handsome against the Patagonian stone. It's an ideal perch from which to explore the famous Perito Moreno Glacier and the wider wonders of Los Glaciares National Park, yet close enough to town for an evening stroll along Avenida del Libertador.