The Best Hotels in Bariloche, Argentina

This modernist construction made of rock, wood and glass, sitting along Exequiel Bustillo Avenue, minutes from downtown Bariloche, overlooks Nahuel Huapi Lake. At the Rochester, you’ll get to enjoy dry-heat and steam saunas, finnish baths, a fitness centre and a heated indoor-outdoor pool. The rooms have super-king beds and are equipped with Jacuzzis, climate control, blackout blinds, kitchenettes and heated Patagonian wood flooring. Enjoy an à la carte breakfast in your room or from your private balcony with lake views.

Hotel Tunquelén sits on 15 acres (6ha) of land and is surrounded by centuries-old forests of coihue and cypress trees. It is located 15mi (24km) east of Bariloche on the shores of Nahuel Huapi and offers views of the Andes. The architecture reminds of a 1930s chalet made of swiss pine and stone, and there’s plenty of warmth and comfort inside. The 40 rooms have lake, mountain or forest views, and there are a communal stone terrace and walkway for enjoying the vistas of the water.

Enjoy gazing across Nahuel Huapi from the outdoor pool or hot tub, the heated indoor pool or simply from your room, some of which also have mountain vistas to the south. Some rooms have their own Jacuzzis, and there are also a fitness centre and a spa, with a sauna, a steam room and a solarium. The location is great for hiking around the hills of Cerro Campanario and Cerro Viejo Eco Park. The El Casco Restaurant offers beachfront fine dining.

Swiss-themed chalets are fine, but, if you want something a little different to Bariloche’s prevailing style, the Aldebarán Hotel could be for you. From Bariloche, descend the steep shore of the Península San Pedro for about 14mi (23km) to find this Spanish-influenced spin on the classic mountain lodge. It has wide archways and is made of pale grey stone. There are 10 minimalist bedrooms with private decks. The Sirius restaurant is a winner ؘ– try the Patagonian lamb or the beef cooked in malbec – and there are opportunities for climbing, hiking and skiing at nearby Catedral and Otto Hills.

As you might guess by the name, this hotel right in central Bariloche, two blocks from the lakefront, is one for the skiing crowd. There are more luxurious options in the area, and the rooms are quite basic, but Hotel Aspen is good value and comfortable if you’re looking for a good place to lay your head after a day on the slopes. Apartments offer extra living space compared to the standard rooms and the restaurant serves a buffet breakfast.

This is another no-nonsense mountain lodge hotel in Bariloche near the town’s gastronomic centre, and it’s only a 5-minute walk to the lakefront. There’s a free continental breakfast, and all 20 rooms have cable TV and private bathrooms. You have got a great selection of Italian restaurants nearby, including La Fonda del Tío, Nebbiolo and PIÚ Pasta, all of which are popular with locals and tourists alike.

Named in honour of the waterfall found in its grounds, La Cascada also has a private forest right by the edge of Nahuel Huapi. Most of the rooms offer either forest or lake views, some with their own private balconies. A host of outdoor activities can be arranged through the hotel, from lakefront yoga to tai chi, walks, kayaking, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding and treks to Frey Lodge, which sits on the shores of the green-coloured Toncek Lagoon.

Close to La Cascada, La Casona Hostel also enjoys great access to the lake, just 164ft (50m) away, and one of the best beaches along Nahuel Huapi, Playa Bonita, is within walking distance. The hostel is surrounded by a pretty pine garden, and you’ve access to a barbecue, a shared kitchen and a lounge, plus you can rent kayaks as well as ski and snowboarding equipment. Choose between dormitories, rooms with balconies and private bathrooms. Renowned microbrewery and beer hall Kunstmann is close by.