The Best Hotels in and Around Salta, Argentina

A five-minute drive from the village of Cachi, dramatic La Merced del Alto stands in whitewashed isolation in a picturesque valley with fantastic views over the Nevado de Cachi mountain range. The gardens brims with poplars and lavender bushes and suites sport sturdy stone floors and flourishes of local textiles. Savour the peace and quiet with a massage at the spa, before dining in-house at the hearth-warmed restaurant on ingredients sourced from the hotel’s grounds.

This beautifully restored colonial home in Cachi was converted into a boutique hotel back in 1993 – though, it looks like it was done yesterday. That said, box-fresh El Cortijo still manages to blend into the local environment, making full use of local and natural resources such as stone, adobe and reeds in its atmospheric architecture. Well-appointed rooms with wood-beamed ceilings are comfy, while master suites include a balcony. Foodies should book a table at Catalino restaurant to savour regional cuisine such as llama steaks.

Patios de Cafayate is a five-minute drive from the centre of Cafayate, tucked among the Malbec vineyards and on the grounds of El Esteco winery. Airy rooms, some with original adobe walls, are sumptuous with thick curtains and stone floors covered with locally made rugs; suites include a living room, dressing room and Jacuzzi. Book into the winery for a tasting, then dine on regional fare at La Rosa restaurant during the day, such as traditional choripán bread baked in clay with tomatoes, and a spruced-up menu of beef tenderloin with Andean potatoes at night, all cooked by Cafayateña chef Virginia Marín and her team.

Spread across 14 floors in downtown Salta, the Alejandro I is the city’s most contemporary lodging, located just two blocks from the Catedral Basílica. Standard rooms are well kept and elegant; and executive suites boast stellar city views of the historical buildings below. Drop by the health club, which offers a full schedule of classes, plus all the kit you need and an indoor pool.

Found a stone’s throw from the central hub of Plaza 9 de Julio in downtown Salta, Hotel Marilian main draw is its location – ideally placed to visit the city’s sights on foot. Simple rooms are spic and span; guests can wind down in the sauna or the heated swimming pool; and the buffet breakfast is particularly hearty.

Luxury rules at Legado Mítico, a renovated colonial mansion that’s one of the grandest in Salta, placed just a short walk from the city’s historical hub and the centerpiece Plaza 9 de Julio. Stylish and elegant rooms, some including four-poster beds, are named after Argentine heroines and heroes and decorated with touches of traditional Salta, such as vibrant handwoven rugs and antique dressers.

Located four blocks from Plaza 9 de Julio and Salta’s historical center, the renovated mansion that houses La Candela is one of the city’s gems. Rooms decorated with local handicrafts are spic and span, some overlooking the lush garden and swimming pool, essential during the steamy Salta summer. Shared spaces include the reading room and a sun deck.

Tucked into the base of a mountain in the Tres Cerritos neighborhood, some 15 blocks from Salta’s historical centre, KKala is one of the city’s contemporary stays, architecture wise, with its cinematic glass windows and bright pops of interior color. Rooms are airy with vibrant deco touches and some include a jacuzzi and terrace; shared spaces include a plush outdoor pool and deck, and a cacti-lined terrace. Enjoy the buffet breakfast from a dining room that offers expansive views looking over town, then head off to explore Salta’s wilds.

Just a few meters from Salta’s focal point Plaza 9 de Julio, Villa Vicuña’s colonial style incorporates original features, such as colorful ceramic floor tiles and white walls, that make for a characterful and relaxing stay. The soothing aesthetic applies to bright, whitewashed rooms, some with French doors and balconies overlooking the green-lawned, plant-filled garden.

Plenty of new life has been breathed into renovating former convent Hotel del Antiguo Convento – an architectural grande dame, tucked right in the historic heart of Salta city, just five blocks from Plaza 9 de Julio. Doubles are light and airy, while deluxe suites include a jacuzzi. All feature individual artworks and artefacts; some showcase slanted wooden ceilings. There’s even a loft-style apartment pitched over two floors with its own kitchenette and doors leading out to the hotel’s shared courtyard pool.