Salta & the Andean Northwest - Argentina - page 455

Hostería Villa Cardón GUESTHOUSE $$$
( 491701; [e-mail]; Aranda s/n; d AR$480-540; ) The friendly young
owners bend over backwards here to make your stay a pleasant one, and the white, min-
imalist, comfortable rooms opening off a courtyard on a quiet backstreet are perfect for
relaxation. Breakfast is a highlight, and the overall package is faultless. The teahouse out
front is great, too. Single rates available off-season.

La Merced del Alto HOTEL $$$ $$$

( 490020; www.lamerceddelalto.com ; s/d US$188/218; ) Built of traditional white-
washed adobe with ceramic floors and cane ceilings, this hotel across the river from town
is designed to look like an historic monastery. It offers excellent facilities and great peace
and quiet, with cool, restrained rooms looking over either the hills beyond (slightly more
expensive) or the interior patio. Public areas include a most inviting lounge, a good res-
taurant, and a rustic spa area (extra charge). Service is multilingual and top-notch. Sub-
stantially cheaper for Argentines.

Eating
For local dishes such as locro (a spicy stew of maize, beans, beef, pork and sausage) and
humitas (stuffed corn dough, resembling Mexican tamales), look for non-touristy con-
fiterías (cafes offering light meals) and comedores (basic cafeterias).

Oliver PIZZA $
(Ruíz de los Llanos 160; mains AR$28-80; 7am-midnight; ) On the plaza, this homey,
multilevel, wooden-tabled restaurant is a reliable choice for tasty pizza, bruschetta and a
couple of creative meaty mains. The terrace on the plaza is also a fine place for a sun-
downer.

Ashpamanta ARGENTINE $$$
(Bustamante s/n; dishes AR$45-90; 12.30-3pm & 7.30-11pm; ) Compact and snug, this
likable little place has a short but tasty menu of pasta, salads and a couple of more elab-
orate mains - quinoa risotto or panfried fillets with vegetables - that are prepared in an
open kitchen behind the bar.

Information

Tourist Office (

491902; [e-mail]; Güemes s/n; 9am-9pm) On

the plaza.