Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
187
her guests. The area is also the center of Argentine ballooning, offer ed as an option for
another $150 (£102) per person. The main house was renovated in 2008 so that it con-
tains fiv e bedr ooms, thr ee as suites with priv ate bathr ooms, each large enough for a
family of four . An additional house has been opened in the adjacent ranch, with two
units, also large enough for families. A gourmet chef cooks dinner , and a new playroom
has a game r oom, small home theater , and other amenities. O ne of the charms of this
property is the wooded cr eek flowing through it; it makes a r elaxing place for a nap , a
picnic, or an afternoon spent r eading. The property is 21 hectar es (52 acr es). You can
access the estancia by bus from Buenos Aires to Capilla del Señor and then a $6 (£4.05)
taxi ride. By remise from Buenos Aires, 80km (50 miles) away, it's about $80 (£54).
Buenos Aires Provincial Ruta 39, 2812 C apilla del Señor. & 11/4743-2319, or 11/15-6093-2319 (cell) in
Buenos Aires. www.estanciaelcencerro.com.ar. 5 units, including 3 suites. From $150 (£102). Rates include
all meals and some drinks. Day rate of $75 (£51) includes lunch only. No credit cards. Free parking. Ame-
nities: Outdoor pool; bic ycles; game r ooms; limited room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; bir d-
watching; carriage riding; horseback riding. In room: Ceiling fan.
El Ombú de Areco El Ombú takes its name from the tree that dominates the
Pampas. It's among the most historic estancias near Buenos Aires. General Pablo Riccheri,
an Italian militar y man who came to Argentina during the unification wars, built the
original vine-covered house in 1880. The general atmosphere and the overgrown row of
trees out fr ont will r emind you of a plantation in the S outhern U.S. The rooms in the
old house, with high ceilings, ar e best. But you really can't go wrong here; all the rooms
have r omantic appeal, decorated with brass beds, floral linens, and a str ong countr y
atmosphere. There are two pools, one in a small cour tyard, another on the edge of the
main garden with a fantastic view of the sun setting over horses in the fields. Several game
rooms are on the grounds, with TVs, movies, and other activities, and it's easy to mingle
with the very friendly staff. This is a working ranch, with 300 hectares (741 acres) of land
and more than 400 co ws and other animals. H orseback riding, cattle r oundups, sunset
carriage riding, bicycling, and many other activities ar e available, and all four meals and
drinks are included in the rate. They also accept pets. S ome rooms have hydro-massage
tubs, others tub/sho wer combinations. R ooms are not air-conditioned but hav e ceiling
fans. The estancia is about 10km (6 miles) from San Antonio and 120km (74 miles) from
Buenos Aires. Their remise service costs $85 (£58) fr om Buenos Aires and about $105
(£71) from Ezeiza airport. A taxi from San Antonio de Areco is about $11 (£7.45). There
is a 10% discount on r oom rates if paid in cash.
Buenos Aires Provincial Ruta 31, C uartel 6, 2760 San Ant onio de Areco. & 2326/492-080, or 11/4737-
0436 Buenos Air es. w ww.estanciaelombu.com. 9 units . From $200 (£135) single; $320 (£217) double .
Rates include all meals and drinks. Day rate of $70 (£47) includes lunch only. AE, MC, V. Free parking. Pets
allowed. Amenities: 2 outdoor pools; bicycles; game rooms; concierge; 24-hr. room service; babysitting;
laundry service; carriage riding; horseback riding. In room: Ceiling fan, hair dryer.
El Rosario de Areco U nlike most estancia owners, who live in Buenos Aires,
Francisco and Florencia de Guevera live year-round on their estancia, along with some of
their nine childr en. This estancia is among the most pleasant to visit, with its barn-r ed
buildings and bougainvilleas scattered among the grounds. The estancia dates from 1892,
but the rooms, many of which are in former horse stalls, have surprisingly modern inte-
riors. The waitstaff is a little differ ent here, too. Instead of r unning around in gaucho
outfits, they wear chic black uniforms, as if they popped in par t-time from another job
in Palermo Soho. The owners regularly greet guests, and Francisco cooks the lunch asado.
The public rooms and even some of the gardens have Wi-Fi, which is rare for an estancia.
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