Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
375
Patagonia Rebelde
Moments
History buffs will love the heritage items on display in
this train-themed tin-walled
hostería
on the hill abo ve to wn. E very item has a stor y
behind it: The main room floors are recycled from a Buenos Aires conventillo, furniture
is from auctions, even key chains are from old train cars. Others may find it noisy. Rooms
are small but bright, with y ellow walls and r efurbished bureaus. All hav e showers only.
The suite, in the corner, is slightly bigger and brighter.
José R. Har o 442, esq . Jean M ermoz, El C alafate.
&
02902/494495.
www.patagoniarebelde.com. 12
units. $118 (£80) double; $132 (£89) suit e. Rates include br eakfast. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Bar; library;
Wi-Fi.
Inexpensive
America del Sur Hostel
With a friendly vibe and nightly all-y ou-can-eat
asado
barbecues for only $16 (£11), this is a great budget option. Located a 7-minute walk up
the hill from downtown, it affords a lovely panoramic view. Guests have the choice of a
simple bunk bed in a shar ed room that sleeps up to four people at a time, or one of the
newer doubles with priv ate bathrooms. All dorm r ooms have private lockers and bath-
rooms with separate tubs, showers, and toilets that allow for some privacy in an otherwise
shared room. The big kitchen is an upbeat place in which to mix and mingle with other
travelers while saving some cash b y dining in.
Puerto Deseado 153, El C alafate.
&
02902/493523.
w ww.americahostel.com.ar. 60 beds . $65 (£44)
double with private bathroom; $16 (£11) bed in shar ed room. Rates include breakfast. No credit cards.
Amenities:
Restaurant; transfers; laundry; high-speed Internet; kitchen; luggage storage.
In room:
Lockers.
Casa de Grillos B y B
Finds
This small inn, 8 blocks fr om Avenida del Liber tador
in the old part of town, is in one of El Calafate's only lush, green areas. Steps from Laguna
Nimez and the shores of Lago Argentino, it's somewhat of an oasis and a nice choice for
nature lovers who still want the convenience of being within walking distance from town.
It's a tr ue bed-and-breakfast, in that a lo vely couple r ents a handful of r ooms in their
home. Rooms are cozy, and each of the five rooms now has a private bathroom. There is
a lovely common area for TV watching, Internet surfing, and visiting.
Los Condores 1215, esq . Las Bandurrias , El C alafate.
&
02902/491160.
w ww.casadegrillos.com.ar. 5
units. $55-$75 (£37-£51) double. Rates include breakfast. No credit cards.
Amenities:
TV room; Internet;
library.
WHERE TO DINE
A number of cafes and espr esso bars r un along the main drag, Liber tador, and its side
streets. Try
Elba'r,
in the D e los Pajaros plaza at 9 de J ulio 57 (
&
02902/493594
). Or
the interesting
Borges & Alvarez Libro-Bar,
Av. del Libertador 1015 (
&
02902/491464
),
which has a fantastic selection of books to peruse while you sip a
café con leche.
For a light
snack, try
Almacenes Patagónicos,
at Av. del Libertador 1044 (
&
02902/491042
).
Expensive
Casimiro Biguá
Moments
REGIONAL This sleek wine bar and restaurant is the
best restaurant in El Calafate. The chic and modern black-and-white decor, thick table-
cloths, flickering candles on ev ery table, and y oung and energetic waitstaff make this
place a winner. You can sample one of the many wines while enjo ying an appetizer plat-
ter of r egional Patagonian specialties such as smoked tr out, smoked wild boar , and a
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