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Very Expensive
Casa los Sauces Not only is the curr ent President of Argentina, C ristina Kirchner,
the o wner and next-door neighbor of this ex clusive boutique hotel, she was also the
interior designer. And she's obviously got good taste, exemplified in the genteel Argentine
country style that oozes through the four separate houses dotting this gr een property by
the lake. I t's all v ery refined, luxurious and, frankly , quite snobb y. There's a large staff
ready to wait on y ou, from offering glasses of champagne at check-in or a ride in a golf
cart to massages and private transfers. The 38 über-plush suites, each drastically different
in style, are located in five houses dotted about a meticulously maintained green garden.
There is a minimum 2-night stay; most guests come her e as part of an all-inclusive pro-
gram. F or a taste of the ex
373
clusivity, come for dinner at the ex
cellent r estaurant, La
Comarca.
Los Gauchos 1352-1370, El Calafate. & 02902/495584, or 11/4348-5288 in Buenos Aires. www.casalos
sauces.com. 38 units . $600 (£405) per person per night all-inclusiv e; $360 (£243) per person per night
B&B program. AE, MC, DC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; spa; bikes; transfers; game room; archery; read-
ing room; Wi-Fi. In room: Safe, minibar.
Posada Los Alamos Overrated The sprawling Posada Los Alamos is as conser vative
as a B rooks B rothers suit, perhaps better suited to a golf r esort than wild P atagonia.
Because of the low-key design of the complex and the slightly aloof service, you can't help
the feeling that you're in a private country club or thousands of miles north in a Buenos
Aires province. They have just about ev erything here, including a ne w spa with a huge
pool, wine bar , convention center, and hair salon. There are a number of comfor table
lounges in the hotel 's v arious buildings, all with large windo ws looking out onto an
expansive (and expensiv e-to-maintain) lawn. R ooms have ample space, and each has a
slightly different color and style. Ask for one that looks out onto the quiet, grassy back-
yard instead of the dusty dir t road.
Gobernador Moyano and Bustillo , El C alafate. & 02902/491144. Fax 02902/491186. w ww.posadalos
alamos.com. 144 units. $314 (£212) double; from $411 (£277) suite. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar;
lounge; golf c ourse; tennis court; tour desk ; room ser vice; massage; laundr y ser vice; dr y cleaning. In
room: TV, minibar, safe.
12
Expensive
Esplendor el Calafate Creative and modern, the Esplendor ex cels with a warm
and cozy feeling. This former white elephant was transformed in 2006 into a sleek ne w
multistory hotel with a unique ear thy style and stunning windo ws. It calls itself a bou-
tique inn, but, with 57 r ooms, it's quite big. The vast lobby has 20m (66-ft.) ceilings, a
huge fireplace, a long line of M ac computers, and lo w leather sofas. R ooms are dotted
with warm fabrics such as wool and suede, and the crisp micr ocement floors are surpris-
ingly warm. The curtains, with built-in fabric window slots, give you both privacy and a
view. The king-size beds ar e covered in white linens and knitted blankets. B athrooms
include stand-up sho wers, separated sinks, and soaker cement tubs. M ore towel racks
would help. Rooms on the second floor ar e the largest; thir d-floor rooms have wooden
angled ceilings. There've been complaints lately of a noisy next-door disco. Ask the hotel
if this has been solved before booking. Staff is young and attractive (another bonus).
Pte. Perón 1143, El Calafate. & 02902/492454, or 11/5217-5700 in Buenos Aires for reservations. www.
esplendorcalafate.com. 57 units. From $145 (£98) double; $208 (£140) suit e. Rates include buffet break-
fast. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar ; business center; room service; laundry service. In room: TV,
minibar, safe.
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