Las Balsas

Overlooking the deep blue of Lake Nahuel Huapi, with the backdrop of the majestic Andes, Hotel Las Balsas is surrounded by 20 hectares of native forest and located just outside the small town Villa La Angostura. Las Balsas has made an art form of hospitality for more than 25 years. Every one of the ten beautifully designed rooms looks out over water; as do both the bar and fine dining restaurant where guests are served an exquisite Patagonian-inspired menu designed by the resident chef, paired with fine Argentine wine from the impressive wine cellar. The hotel’s Relais Châteaux status combined with their B Corp (Sistema B) credentials makes them a unique offering with world class service, facilities and comfort combined with an admirable focus on sustainability including a deep commitment to conservation.

The view of Las Balsas from the waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi is iconic. From the hotel you begin to notice small boats tentatively entering the bay, just to come and snap that photo of this special place with its dark blue wooden façade blending nicely into the tall pine trees behind, and the beautifully landscaped gardens reaching down to the shore. It is this same view that I too relished from the corner of the bay as I wondered barefoot along the beach, with the sun dropping to the west and the sky slowly turning that glorious Patagonia pink. You cannot help but feel completely relaxed and cared for at Las Balsas, with unparalleled service and an exquisite spa, producing moments to reflect and the opportunity to fully take in the jaw dropping beauty of the Argentine Lake District.

Nicola, Senderos

Key Facts

No. of rooms: 10

Room Categories:

All rooms have views out to the lake Nahuel Huapi and mountains beyond. They come equipped with a pillow menu, complimentary Illy coffee, robes and slippers, quality linen and magnetic phone chargers. The art in the rooms is all by local artisans.

Atelier (4): (ex-Standard Lake), 20sqm, cosy, light and comfortable recently renovated and repainted rooms

Studio (3): 45 sqm, spacious rooms with modern decor and designer lighting in the bathroom.

Corner Suite (3): 60 sqm rooms with super king size beds, very spacious bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs, a balcony or terrace from which to enjoy the views.

The ground floor has 1 of each category, the first floor has 2 Atelier, 2 Studio and 2 Corner Suites and the ‘second floor’ which is the tower has the Atelier ‘Torre’ room.

Facilities and Amenities: Gourmet restaurant, wine cellar with a large variety of wines from Argentina (some of which come from the owner’s own vineyard in Mendoza), tasting room, cosy bar area with many good whiskeys and stocked with one of the ‘best gins in the world’ - Bosque Craft Gin, 330 sqm fully equiped spa and infinity pool (inside/outside and heated), jacuzzi on pool deck, gym equipment, Sauna, Massage rooms with 2 massage therapists, living room with large sofas and piano, yoga platform in the gardens, access to the bay with their own pier.

Internet: Available throughout the property but they ask for a ‘limited phones, tablets, laptop’ policy in public areas.

Excursion details: Guests can book daily excursions from the hotel, and they are operated through a local trusted operator. They can provide activities such as sailing on Lake Nahuel Huapi including the popular sunset yacht trips, kayaking on the lake, hiking to viewpoints and trails in the surrounding mountains. Gin tasting and Wine tasting can also be arranged at the hotel with their resident sommelier. Afternoon tea service can also be arranged

Dates of operation: “Las Balsas todo el año” - all year round, but the hotel tends to be booked out by the owners at Christmas and New Year. To give an idea of seasons:

Spring / Summer - High season. More adventure and exploring with longer days. Fly fishing season starts Nov. 1st usually. Latest sunset is around 10pm.
Autumn / March & April - Slightly cooler, more colourful with the trees turning. Sunset around 7pm. Rises at 8am.
May / June - Low Season: Rain season starts and days are now the shortest of the year. Sunset around 6. Rises at 9am.
Winter / July & August - Snow! Very comfortable place to enjoy the snow with roaring fires, heated pool and jacuzzi. Opportunity to ski in the surrounding hills with Cerró Bayo being a local small ski centre with incredible views.

Rates from: Per person in a double room (Atelier) per night.

Low Season (May and June): $USD382.50 / Mid Season (1-16 Jul, 16-31Aug, Sep, Oct, Mar, Apr) $USD537.50 / Peak Season (17 Jul - 15 Aug, 01 Nov - 29 Feb, Easter Week) $USD560

Rates include: Full Board at their excellent restaurant. Transfers to and from Bariloche airport. One 50 minute massage per stay.

Minimum age: 12+

Minimum stay: 2 nights minimum stay

Senderos recommends: At least two nights to make the most of the setting, facilities and area.

Affiliations: Relais Chateaux, B Corp, Aves Argentinas

Sustainability

Las Balsas is a proud B Corp member, certified in 2021 after a 3-year application process. A copy of her report can be found here. Below are just a few of their initiatives to uphold this certification and for their own sustainability credentials. You can also request the sustainability report from Las Balsas at the bottom of this page.
Promotion of the sale and consumption of products from local artists and artisans as a genuine way of supporting the community and the history of the place.
100% of the black and grey wastewater is treated.
100% biodegradable cleaning products and amenities.
Their Nature Reserve has become an official member of the "Red de Reservas Naturales" (Nature Reserve Network) of the historic 105-year-old naturalist organisation Aves Argentinas. This includes a commitment from Las Balsas to protect the native forest of their 15 hectare reserve and to be ambassadors for the conservation of Patagonia.
In July 2021, the biologist in charge of the Sustainability project, Lic. Diego Meier, carried out the study on the carbon footprint between the months of June 2020 and May 2021. This technical study reveals that Las Balsas off-set more than is emitted through the protection of important wetland and native forest.

Need to know

The hotel is the only B Corp certified Relais Chateaux property in the world.
Reservations at the hotel are on a half or full board basis with excursions and activities bookable at the hotel or through your DMC.
A ‘limited screen time’ policy within the public areas is requests from guests - to encourage conversation, observation and disconnection.
Excellent, spacious spa with beautiful views of the lake.
The property has a 15-hectare nature reserve. Private trails take guests through forests behind the hotel. Wooden walkways are built over the wetlands with towering grasses and rocky paths up through pine and native tree woodland.
The hotel can arrange gin tasting, wine tasting and afternoon teas as special experiences for guests.

Perfect for:

Couples and friends looking for tranquillity and beauty as a base in the Argentine Lake District. The situation and faciliteis of the property lends itself well to those on a self drive itinerary.

Getting there

BY ROAD

Villa La Angostura is located 40 minutes to 1 hour from Bariloche airport (80km) and 2½ hours from San Martin Airport (130km). It is also about an hour from the border crossing of Paso Cardenal Antonio Samoré with Chile.

BY AIR

Fly into Bariloche (40min-1 hour) or San Martin de los Andes (2½ hours) airports for transfers to the hotel. There are regular flights to both cities from Buenos Aires and other regional airports in Argentina. Bariloche also has flights from Santiago, Chile.

Gallery & Resources

Follow this link to Senderos Resources for access to

Images, our selection
Fact sheets
Presentations
Videos
Rack rates
Excursion lists
And other useful information

Weather

The weather in this area of northern Patagonia is seasonal, with defined hot sunny summers, colourful springs and autumns followed by snowy winters. Each season offers something different to visitors, including skiing in winter.

Links

Las Balsas website

Meet the Team

Senderos Webinar about Estancia Cristina and Las Balsas, April 2023

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