The Best Boutique Hotels in El Chaltén, Argentina

This small hotel at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy in the heart of Chaltén offers a warm welcome. Inspired by old Patagonian farmhouses, the rooms channel alpine lodges, with wood and beams aplenty and pretty pink-striped bed throws. Book a premium room for panoramic views. Once you’ve kicked your hiking boots off after a busy day trekking, there’s a cozy lounge with an open log fire and a restaurant dishing up Argentinian classics.

This laid-back lodge welcomes you with a light-filled, stylish lounge featuring a rugged stone fireplace, mustard-yellow chairs and sink-into sofas. The 17 simple and spacious rooms blend bare floorboards and whitewashed beams with warm textiles. Owner and mountain guide Alberto del Castillo has filled the walls of the breakfast room with his mountaineering photos, so you can get inspiration for your trekking adventures as you eat your eggs and toast.

In the foothills of the Andes Mountains, this rustic-chic hotel has views of El Chaltén valley. The plentiful rooms combine rustic materials with neutral colors, although some feature bolder yellows and deep reds – but the large windows allow the view to be the star of the show. The exterior is attractive, with red-metal pointed turrets mirroring the jutting mountain backdrop. Kick back in the luxurious spa with a sauna, hot tub and yet more of those mesmerising valley views. For dinner, tuck into traditional Patagonian dishes such as cordero al palo (roasted lamb), paired with a robust Argentinian red.

Set just off San Martin Avenue, the main strip, this larger-than-average hotel is in a prime location. Rooms have a light, airy feel and comfortable king-size beds. Stone, wrought iron and warm wood feature in the design of the public spaces. After a hard day of hiking, pull off your boots and warm your toes by the big stone fireplace in the sitting room, or nip to the spa for a swim and a soak in the jacuzzi. Breakfast on a buffet of buttery pastries, bread and preserves.

Contemporary cube-like spaces with rustic rock exterior detail nod to the region. Inside, you’ll find a restaurant and a bar, plus a warming open fireplace. Wooden cabins in the garden feature fully equipped kitchens, bathtubs and a splendid view of the valley and hills of the Los Glaciares National Park. The continental breakfast includes juice, yogurt, cereal, bread, butter, jam and cheese. After a day of hiking, try the indoor barbecue area.

Patagonicus is set above a pizzeria on the edge of town, so there are no prizes for guessing what dinner will be. Breakfast on continental-style dishes and sip your coffee in a deckchair on the terrace while admiring the jutting peaks before you. Ecotourism is a priority, with recycling and provenance key here. The three rooms, decked out in brick and wood, are named after the members of the Trentine expedition to Cerro Torre in 1959: Maestri, Egger and Fava – and you can see the names brought to life in the atmospheric black-and-white photos that line the walls.

Set in a charming house overlooking Mount Fitz Roy, Hostería Kau Si Aike offers rooms and self-catering bungalows just 1,969ft (600m) from Los Glaciares National Park – the reason most travelers come to El Chaltén. Smartly tiled floors and olive-colored walls create a calm atmosphere, the self-catering bungalows feature microwaves and refrigerators and there are desks for penning those postcards home. Start the day with a complimentary breakfast, and quell hunger pangs between meals at the snack bar.

What could feel closer to nature than staying in a geodesic eco dome with circular ceiling windows revealing the starry night sky? Layers of timber flooring, rugs and a warming wood stove keep things cozy at this sustainable complex offering fantastic views across to the iconic Paine Massif. Socialise in the community domes, with terraces with views, a chill-out area and a welcoming bar for high-altitude cocktails. The three-course dinner menu includes beautifully presented stews, soups and salads, and changes daily.