Hosteria Las Balsas, Bariloche and Villa la Angostura

Location

Villa La Angostura (Bariloche and Villa la Angostura, Argentina)

Description

Las Balsas is a small intimate hotel on the northern shore of lake Nahuel Huapi, 100km from Bariloche, in the Lake District. It is one of the few Relais & Chateaux properties in Argentina, with lots of wood, ample rooms and large windows. On the ground floor is a large sitting area, bar and separate restaurant. The food served is fresh and natural and changes with the seasons.

Activities

The whole area, much of it protected under the National Park system, is one of outstanding natural beauty, with snow-capped volcanoes, cascading rivers emerging into serene lakes, and dense forest. Activities include fishing (either trolling on the lake or fly casting the rivers with expert guides), windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing (in summer!), cycling, walking and riding. Speedboats and rubber rafts are also available. In winter skiing is possible at Cerro Bayo, only five minutes away. Picnic lunches can be prepared for adventurous excursions.

Accommodation

There are two suites and thirteen bedrooms all differently appointed - all except two overlook the lake.

Our comments

Las Balsas is extraordinarily peaceful in a lovely location. As it only has a few rooms it tends to get booked up far in advance, particularly at Christmas and Easter. It is a particularly good option as part of a circuit of the lovely 'seven lakes' if you hire a car in Bariloche or San Martín de los Andes.

When to go

November to April, unless you are there for the skiing. The scenery changes with the seasons as the trees change their foliage.

Client comments and reviews

The hotel was quality but very small and lacking a bit in atmosphere. Great views from the bedroom but room was very small. - RM (January 2017)

We had the most sensational lunch at Las Balsas, it is a lovely hotel. - FW (February 2008)