As the first Relais & Châteaux property in South America and our only destination in the world-famous Lakes Region of Argentina, we are thrilled to welcome Las Balsas to the CK Representation portfolio. This blue-hued lakeside lodge greets adventurous visitors year-round, which means that whether guests seek a traditional Patagonian holiday with epic hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing–or they prefer to visit during the snowy winter months–Las Balsas can accommodate any desire.
Set on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi across from Arrayanes National Park on a private 37-acre (15-hectare) nature reserve, every direction is a new view at Las Balsas. Behind the lodge, staggering mountains rise quickly out of thickly vegetated forests. Stretching out in front of the lodge’s blue façade are the crystal clear waters of the lake—an adventure-lover’s playground. Within the folds of the landscape are rivers teeming with trout and ample trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. One of the most popular activities that Las Balsas offers clients is sailing. Lake Nahuel Huapi offers epic views of the Andes mountains at every direction you look. This activity is perfect for those who love photography, or simply want to get away from it all.
Come wintertime, the local mountains transform into a powdery offering of quiet winter-time bliss. Find yourself relaxing in the hot tub overlooking the lake and mountains with snow all around you, or if the conditions allow, hop on a ski lift for a day of snowboarding and skiing. At the end of each day, the world-class wellness center provides a sanctuary to rejuvenate weary muscles. Massage services are available with in-house professional masseuse, and guest are free to use the heated indoor/outdoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and sauna. If you please, stretch out and meditate in the yoga area, or strengthen your muscles further at the upstairs mini gym.
Travelers have a choice between several accommodation styles at Las Balsas, from the Atelier rooms ideal for couples to Studio Suites capable of hosting three. These are all in the original house, which is the blue building you see in the photos above. For those who prefer standalone-style lodging, there are 10 villas available to choose from. The majority of the villas are standalone, studio-style homes, while several are both two-bedroom/two-bathroom standalone homes with connecting doors and separate balconies. They each offer ultra-modern architecture with private terraces. All rooms feature lake and forest views.
The on-site Relais & Chateaux restaurant fuels travelers each day, serving up beautifully prepared seasonal and regional fare. A sommelier service and wine cellar complete the package for a dining journey that parallels the high standards of the entire Las Balsas experience. Additionally, Las Balsas believes every guest should be able to go at their own pace, so there is room service available at each accommodation from the main house to the villas, even when it’s snowing outside!
Last but not least, this hotel has a lot of soul because it was originally purchased for an amazing deal by a family in 1988 to create as their home. A few years later, the hotel was purchased by the same family who owns it today. One thing that is important to note is that the hotel has blackout dates from December 26 - January 9 every year because the family comes to live at the hotel. That’s what makes Las Balsas a truly special place. A local Argentine family chose to build as their home, but decided Las Balsas is a piece of natural paradise in Argentina that people all over the world should be able to come and enjoy.
PROPERTY FACTS
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Atelier (4) Studio Suite (3) Corner Suite (3) and Lakeview Villa (10)
Full Board (minimum 2 nights), Half Board (minimum 2 nights), and B&B (no minimum)
Yes, Throughout and Complimentary
Open Year Round / Blackout Dates: Dec 26 - Jan 9th
Relais & Châteaux
Wellness center with massage, yoga, meditation, and more
Heated indoor and outdoor pool, gym, and more
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STARTING RATES:
$499 per person per night (half board, low season, tax not included)
Starting All Inclusive:
LOCATION: Villa la Angostura, Argentina
Closest Airport:
Buenos Aires has two airports – EZE (International Airport) & AEP (Domestic Airport). Both airports have several daily direct flights (both 2 hours and 10 minutes long) to Bariloche via Aerolineas Argentinas and JetSMART. We recommend choosing those airlines. Guests who are booking flights need to be very careful when purchasing flights. If guests are arriving at EZE international and have a flight at AEP, that is going to be a 45 minute - 1.5 hour drive depending on traffic in Buenos Aires. From Bariloche Airport to Las Balsas, it is a scenic 1 hour and 15 minute drive.
Sky Airlines typically has a daily flight from Santiago, Chile which makes it a super convenient way of flying to Bariloche (2-hour flight). This allows guests to create an itinerary combining Las Balsas with places like Atacama, the Chilean wine region, and other attractions throughout Chile. There is an immigration checkpoint at Bariloche, but since there is only one flight typically arriving from Chile per day, it is really easy and quick.
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WHEN TO VISIT
Unlike several of our other properties in Patagonia, Las Balsas stands out as a year-round destination. Their positioning on Lake Nahuel Huapi in Neuquén Province provides a four-season setting that lends to a diverse excursion book—from paddle sports and fly fishing in the summer months to skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
June and July are among the wettest and snowiest months, while summer (December-February) sees daily high temperatures ranging from 57-61˚F (14-16˚C). Most of the precipitation falls in autumn and winter (May - October, leaving a mostly precipitation-free summer ideal for outdoor excursions. And while dry trails are always nice, the fact that this lodge is open year-round makes it an over-the-top cozy and exciting destination for travelers looking for a unique Southern Hemisphere getaway.
October - April (Spring and Summer)
Average sunrise: 4:00AM - 5:00AM
Average sunset: 9:00PM - 10:00PM
May - September (Autumn and Winter)
Average sunrise: 8:00AM - 9:00AM
Average sunset: 5:00PM - 6:00PM
Las Balsas is unavailable annually between December 26th - January 9th.
FOR FAMILIES
Las Balsas welcomes children 12-years-old and up year-round, and in their winter season (July through September) they host children of all ages. This makes it a great property for families who want to create memories together in Patagonia, particularly parents of young children who might have trouble finding accommodations that will welcome the youngest of travelers. They also have a kids club open during these months.
RECOMMENDED LENGTH OF STAY
There is no minimum required length of stay for those booking B&B board at Las Balsas, but two nights is required for half and full board visitors. As always, we recommend travelers tack on at least one additional night–or even more–so that they can fully explore the region and the amenities Las Balsas has to offer. Las Balsas’s suggested itineraries (located on their site) are all a minimum of three nights.
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
The Seven Lakes Region is a bucket-list destination for many adventurous and active travelers, but for those who want to pair their outdoor efforts with luxurious lodging and world-class hospitality and dining, there are very few options in the area that can compare to Las Balsas.
While most hotels and visitors tend to visit the town of Bariloche, Las Balsas is located in the town of Villa La Angostora which is about a 1 hour and 15 minute scenic drive from the Bariloche International Airport (there are daily flights from Santiago, Chile, as well as Buenos Aires and other airports in Argentina). This allows for guests to feel totally in tact with nature, completely separated from the sounds of the city. While sitting on the balcony of your villa or on the back porch of the hotel, you won’t hear anything but the ripples of water softly crashing into the shore or a sailboat peacefully coasting by. And inside the lobby is a cozy area with a fireplace, leather couches, and a very home-style feeling. The local staff here allow guests to feel perfectly home from the time that they arrive to the time that they leave.
The year-round excursion booklet has it all: kayaking and sailing on waters that are as blue as Lake Tahoe, fly-fishing for award-winning salmon and rainbow trout, and skiing uncharted runs inaccessible to throngs of Epic Pass holders; there is no shortage of endorphins or adrenaline at Las Balsas.
Directly across the water from Los Arrayanes National Park and on a private 37-acre (15-hectare) nature reserve, visitors of Las Balsas are gauranteed to have a supremely private and remote experience away from the standard Patagonian tourist track.
Aside from the obvious beauty of the Argentinian Lakes Region, Los Arrayanes National Park is known for its rare forest of arrayán, or myrtle, trees. Some of these trees are over 600 years old, and all feature beautiful peeling cinnamon-colored bark with white patches. Wildlife in the area can include pudú (a tiny South American deer), guanacos, monitos del monte (pint-sized marsupials), foxes, and even river otters. Above the canopy of native trees, condors, eagles, and hawks take to the skies.
Las Balsas was the first Relais & Châteaux member in Latin America. They also became the first B Corp certified hotel within the Relais & Châteaux consortium, offering a carbon-neutral experience for guests and another way to stand out in a competitive hospitality market in Patagonia.
In addition to a beautiful restaurant with celebrated Chef Duvan Ochoa Zuluaga as its lead, Las Balsas boasts a wine cellar and sommelier service that enhance the dining experience for those with a taste for wine.
BEST COMBINED WITH
From October - April, Las Balsas can be combined with Torres del Paines, El Calafate, El Chalten, Ushuaia, or even a cruise from Punta Arenas to Antarctica. However, Las Balsas can be combined with spectacular places in the norther regions of Chile and Argentina such as Iguazú Falls, the Atacama Desert, Mendoza wine region, or other ski destinations near Santiago.
For those living in many parts of the USA where it gets scorching hot from June - September, this region of the world is a spectacular escape offering cold, refreshing weather and a place to fully relax. Atacama desert or Iguazu are also both hidden gems during this time of year because you get to explore these breathtaking landscapes when the weather is favorable, and not scorching hot like it can get in their summer. There are also far less tourists, offering a much more intimate experience with nature.
We are always happy to offer recommendations for what pairing would be ideal for your travelers. Creating sample itineraries is something Clark was excellent at, so we will always continue to help support carving out the most unique combinations of places to visit in South America! We take great pride in going to these destinations to not only be with our partners in person, but to figure out the absolute best logistics for others to go enjoy later.