The Argentine Lake District - Argentina - page 316

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island on foot, horseback, bike, or kayak. When the daily boat tours depar t, you'll have
the island to y ourself. In the evenings, enjoy fine dining with an ev en finer vie w in the
restaurant. It's romantic and intimate. Although childr en aren't specifically pr ohibited,
families are gently discouraged, which is a shame as the island is a childhood deam come
true. A 2-night stay here is just right.
Nahuel Huapi National Park. & 02944/448088. www.islavictoria.com. 22 units. 2-night packages from
$740 (£502) per person double; 4-night pack ages $1,421 (£964) per person double . Packages include
transfers, boat crossing, lodging, full board, excursions. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Bar; wine cellar; out-
door pool; spa; library.
Llao Llao Hotel & Resort Kids The internationally renowned Llao Llao Hotel
& Resort is one of the finest hotels in Latin America. S ituated on a grassy cr est of the
Llao Llao P eninsula, and framed b y rugged peaks, this fiv e-star hotel is r eminiscent of
Canadian mountain lodges, with cypr ess and pine-log walls, stone fir eplaces, antler
chandeliers, and barn-size salons. Maintaining very high standards and offering a slew of
amenities, this is the place to spend the night if y ou're willing to splurge for a special
evening. A driveway winds upward to the hotel, where a discreet security guard monitors
traffic (the hotel tries to keep gawkers at a distance, although visitors may come for a
drink, afternoon tea, or a meal, but only with a prior reservation). From the lobby, every
turn leads to another r emarkable room, including a “winter garden” cafe, whose expan-
sive glass walls look out onto a large patio, the hote's golf course, and Lake Nahuel Huapi
beyond. All r ooms ar e decorated in a r ustic countr y design and hav e gleaming white
bathrooms. Standard rooms are comfortable but quite small; superior suites are split into
bedroom and living areas and some come with a wraparound deck and fireplace; a lovely
two-bedroom cabin with a splendid vie w of Lake M oreno is also av ailable. Opened in
2008, the hotel 's ne w Moreno Wing has 43 suites and studios that w ere designed to
please North Americans—they are larger, and have wide windows and terraces, air-con-
ditioning, and massiv e bathr ooms. The spa affor ds vie ws that ar e nothing less than
panoramic. A myriad of daily activities are included in the price of the rooms, from adult
watercolor-painting classes to games and ev ents for kids. Transfers to and fr om the air-
port and the ski hill are also included. The hotel's fine-dining restaurant, Los Cesares, is
currently w ell o vershadowed b y nearb y r estaurants (see “ Where to D ine,” belo w). It's
definitely time for the hotel to up the ante with its dining options.
Av. Bustillo, K m 25, San C arlos de Bariloche . & 02944/448530. Fax [phone]. Reser vations (in
Buenos Air es) & 11/4311-3434. Fax [phone]. w ww.llaollao.com. 172 units . $350-$595 (£238-
£404) double; $715-$855 (£485-£580) studio; $840-$1,680 (£570-£1,140) suit e; $840-$1,045 (£570-
£709) cottage. Rates include buff et breakfast and park ing. Rates rise substantially during the holida ys,
Christmas to New Year's, and Easter. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; lounge; small indoor
heated pool; golf c ourse; t ennis c ourts; ex ercise r oom; fabulous spa; Jacuzzi; ex tensive wat ersports
equipment; children's center; video arcade; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center; shopping arcade;
salon; r oom ser vice; massage; bab ysitting; laundr y ser vice; valet park ing; dr y cleaning . In room: A/C
(some), TV, safe, minibar, kettle.
Expensive
Aldebaran Finds Serenity, silence, and highly personaliz ed ser vice make this
remote retreat one of the Lake District's newest treasures. Far off the typical tourist route,
each of the 10 r ooms here enjoys lovely views across the Campanario Arm of N ahuel
Huapi Lake. The design and constr uction are very natural, fr om stone-and-wood walls
to cement floors. Thick Mediterranean-style walls hav e cur ved ceilings and dar k hall-
ways. Rooms are large, with ear th-toned blankets, cozy nooks, and a blend of modern
and recycled furniture. Rustic bathrooms have large tubs and spotlights. All hav e either

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