Salta & the Northwest - Argentina - page 224

Colón 47, 4427 C afayate. & 3868/422254. www.killacafayate.com.ar. 16 units. $60 (£41) double; $120
(£81) apt f or 4. R ates include c ontinental br eakfast. No cr edit car ds. Free park ing. Amenities: Small
lounge; pool; garden; patio.

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Villa Vicuña A crazy mural of some local leprechauns stands in the shaded courtyard,
surrounded b y 12 simple but w ell-appointed r ooms in a modern building with some
colonial touches, such as an ar ched entrance and str eet balcony. The r ooms ar e v ery
comfortable, with wooden-posted beds, built-in wardrobes, and clean bathrooms of aver-
age size (10 have tubs). The decor is some what mixed, with plastic chairs in one corner
of the cour tyard and a traditional loom in the other , not to mention the lepr echauns.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for a clean, friendly place that's close to the plaza and not
too expensive, this one will not disappoint.
Belgrano 76, 4427 Cafayate. & 3868/422145. www.villavicuna.com.ar. 12 units. $85 (£57) double; $120
(£81) suite. Rates include continental breakfast. MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; Wi-Fi.
In room: TV.
Inexpensive
Hotel Gran Real C afayate This terribly modest hotel has quiet r ooms with v ery
simple furnishings. These rooms, some with pleasant mountain vie ws, are considerably
more enticing than the gloomy do wnstairs lobby and cafe. Popular with Argentine visi-
tors, the G ran Real has an attractiv e pool and barbecue ar ea, which is its saving grace.
Service is friendly. TVs are available, on request, for an additional $3 (£2) per night.
Av. General Güemes 128, 4427 C afayate. & 3868/421231. Fax [phone]. w ww.granrealcafayate.
com.ar. 35 units. $55 (£37) double. Rates include continental breakfast. MC, V. Free parking. Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge; nice outdoor pool. In room: TV (on request and for a fee).

8 Wine Lodges

Expensive
La Casa de la Bodega The 20km (12-mile) driv e to this luxur y winery lodge is
almost as enjoyable as the destination itself. You drive through a desert of pink sand and
cactus sentinels until you reach a twisting road that meanders through purple mountains
resembling melted Plasticine. The hotel itself is built of sand-color ed brick, with lots of
tile and wood; the r eception desk is a huge tr unk of the local tr ee algarroba. The eight
rooms ar e large with stone headboar ds and y et mor e wood. I ndigenous designs hang
everywhere. The bathrooms are luxurious, with Jacuzzi and hydro-massage. All the rooms
have mountain views, and four hav e balconies. Despite such opulence, ther e is no mis-
taking the humble, r ural location, with small adobe huts in the distance and the occa-
sional scampering goat and foraging boar to catch your attention. Adjoining the lodge is
a small, ultramodern winery producing very decent wine.
RP 68 K m 18, Valle de C afayate. & 3868/421888. www.lacasadelabodega.com.ar. 8 units . $120 (£81)
double. Rates include continental breakfast. MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; outdoor
pool; spa; Wi-Fi. In room: TV, Jacuzzi.

Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa Overrated Patios de Cafayate does not quite get it
right but it makes a valiant attempt. Through a series of leafy, flower-adorned courtyards
(the patios in the name) you are transported through several eras. First stop: 18th-century
colonial splendor. The main building is a palatial-style villa with fountains and ev en a
tiny chapel for some priv ate worship . Vaulted corridors lead to suitelike r ooms with
colonial portraits watching you from the corners. Hand-painted flowers creep over walls
and tabletops and into v ery spacious r ooms with E gyptian cotton sheets and gener ous
bathrooms with sunken tubs. You'll feel like G atsby himself in the high-ceilinged living