Las Balsas
Rugged good looks
Top of the lake
Like a brooding Argentinian gaucho, Las Balsas stares out across the glacial Nahuel Huapi lake with solipsistic surety, knowing only the surrounding national park can rival its supreme position. This macho, fire-warmed place, with sturdy stone walls and open hearths, is a high-end take on the Argentinian estancia. Behind its rugged good looks though, there’s a softer side to this Patagonian pensión: a restaurant that fills the stomach; a spa that soothes the soul.
Facilities
Rooms
20, including six suites and 10 villas.
Checkout
Noon; check-in, 3pm. Both are flexible, subject to availability.
More Details
Rates include à la carte breakfast. Half board also includes lunch or dinner with soft drinks and one 50-minute massage per room; as do full-board stays, which get all meals and return Bariloche Airport transfers on top.
Also
Unfortunately, this Patagonian stay is unsuitable if you have reduced mobility.
Hotel Closed
The hotel closes annually from 26 December to 10 January.
Fitness Center
Free Internet Access
Laundry
Pet Friendly
Room Service
Spa
At the Hotel
Gym, walking trails and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: smart TV, minibar, bathrobes, slippers and organic bath products.
Our Favourite Rooms
With their earthy ochre-and-clay hues, the Corner Suites show off Las Balsas’s handsome-yet-homey feel. We love the combination of hardwood floors, textured rugs, antique furniture and crisp, white linens, spread over king- or twin-size beds. But you can’t ignore the view: large windows give way onto the lake and the hotel’s quaint waterside dock. Prepare for some ooh-ing and aahing- in a contemporary Lakeview Villa, where panoramic Nahuel Huapi views are as breathtaking as the residence’s slick, sustainable design.
Poolside
After a day out exploring this part of northern Patagonia, the indoor-outdoor pool provides an enticing prospect. It has two areas: a heated section, tucked within the cosseting spa; and an alfresco extension, beside the lake. There’s a deck too, with parasols and loungers (more for relaxing, than working on your Patagonian tan). Between 6pm and 10pm, it’s for adults only, meaning grown-ups can unwind before warming up in the lakefront Jacuzzi.
Spa
In a standalone building beside the lake, the vast Las Balsas Spa is just what the doctor ordered after all that exertion. Two treatment rooms are earmarked for holistic massages, mud-therapy facials, body scrubs and more; jet showers and a toasty sauna cap off the indulgence. Pre and post treatment, there’s also a snug to relax in, with woven Argentinian textiles, a large velvet sofa and a snack menu of trout carpaccio, cheeses and carrot soup. Beyond, the great outdoors is your setting for lake rituals and forest-inspired wellbeing.
Packing Tips
Plentiful layers will help you to greet the changeable Patagonian climate.
Also
It may seem strange to be talking about the beach in Patagonia, but Las Balsas is set by one, so vamos a la playa! Head down to the nearby lakeshore for a misty morning stroll or a sunset drink… there are even loungers.
Children
It’s over-12s only, except between 1 July and 15 August, when all ages are welcome and a kids’ club runs. Babysitting can be arranged on request and there’s a children’s menu at the restaurant.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Facing towards the lakeshore, all tables have a fantastic view, but we especially love number seven for its window-front position.
Dress Code
Casual and informal: cosy lambs’ wool jumpers and well-worn jeans.
Hotel Restaurant
Patagonian classics are cooked with fine-dining flair at Las Balsas Restaurant. Chef Duvan Ochoa turns out refined starters of steak tartare with a wasabi-infused egg yolk, followed by mains of Patagonian trout with creamy, pepper purée. Argentinians are known for their sweet tooth, so make sure you save space for postres (desserts). We’re eyeing the coffee chouquette with chocolate ganache…
Hotel Bar
Cosy couches abound in the bar (bag one of the Chesterfields, if you’re quick). It serves a snack-style menu of bruschettas and tapas, as well as trout carpaccio, sandwiches and lamb burgers. But let’s be real: we’re really here for the drinks, which include 150 wines, pisco sours, martinis and negronis. If you get a hankering for a midnight tipple (we’re not judging), there’s also an honesty bar, with single-malt whisky, tequila, cognac and grappa. The hotel also hosts Argentinian gin tastings, where you can sample regional spirits that are infused with local herbs alongside seasonal snack platters and sweat treats.
Last Orders
Breakfast is 7.30am–11am; lunch 12.30pm–3pm; dinner 8pm–11pm. Children are only allowed at lunch. One day, skip lunch in favour of afternoon tea.
Room Service
You can order dishes from a dedicated menu to your door between 7.30am and 11pm.
Planes
Regional connections land at San Carlos de Bariloche airport, which is a one-hour drive from Las Balsas, via paved roads and scenic views. Another option is to fly into San Martín de los Andes, which has flights from Buenos Aires only, and takes two hours to transfer to the hotel. Staff can arrange one-way airport transfers from US$60.
Automobiles
If you hire a set of wheels in Bariloche, you’ll find that driving to Las Balsas is straightforward and takes less than 90 minutes. There’s free on-site parking with valet services and electric-vehicle charging points.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Ignacio Centroni wears his ‘Clefs D'Or’ badge proudly, a sign that he’s achieved the international gold standard for concierges. A font of knowledge, he’s on hand to realise day trips and excursions. Highlights include hiking in the Arrayanes Forest; trekking in the Andean cordillera; fly-fishing on the Limay River; and kayaking on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Mountain trails and lakeside paths also make for good cycling and horse-riding territory. In winter, Las Balsas also acts as a base for ski breaks on Cerro Bayo, which opens from mid July until late September. It offers access to several lifts and a clutch of green-to-black runs, plus snowshoeing, snow-tubing and a freestyle snowboard park. Villa La Angostura is your main town: known as the ‘Garden of Patagonia’, it stands between the Lake District hubs of San Martín de los Andes and Bariloche, with a handful of harbouring upmarket restaurants, shops and bars.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
