Las Balsas
Selected
Check Availability & Prices
Find the best rates for Las Balsas.
Check Availability on Booking.comView the official listing on the MICHELIN Guide.
Hotel Details
Location
Neuquen
Argentina, South America
Explore More Hotels
Expert Review: Las Balsas
Las Balsas, a Michelin Key Selected property in Neuquén, Argentina, consistently garners high praise as a luxurious Patagonian retreat, celebrated for its stunning lakeside location, exceptional service, and sophisticated design.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
Las Balsas is widely regarded as an "excellent" and "magical Patagonian hideaway," with an intimate atmosphere that makes it a memorable destination. Guests frequently describe it as a place one "has to visit once – or, ok, maybe a few times – in a lifetime." On Hotels.com, it boasts an impressive 8.7 rating out of 10, with particularly high scores for comfort (9.6), location (9.5), cleanliness (9.2), and staff (9.1).
2. Key Highlights
Guests are consistently enchanted by the hotel's breathtaking setting on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, framed by the majestic Andes mountains. Its intimate scale, with just twenty rooms and private villas, fosters a warm and exclusive ambiance. Other significant highlights include an award-winning restaurant with panoramic lake views, a private jetty offering direct access to activities like sailing, fly fishing, kayaking, and wild swimming with specialized guides, and a well-appointed spa featuring a heated indoor-outdoor pool. The hotel also prides itself on its strong sustainability credentials, being Latin America's only certified B Corp hotel. A well-stocked wine cellar, a wine-tasting lounge, and a cozy reading room further enhance the guest experience.
3. Room Quality
The accommodations at Las Balsas are thoughtfully designed, comprising ten beautifully appointed rooms in the main house and ten modern glass-and-wood villas raised on stilts. Each room offers lake views and evokes an alpine chalet-style elegance, featuring exposed wooden beams, fireplaces crafted from native stone, and expansive windows that frame postcard-perfect outdoor vistas. Rooms are described as airy and rustic-chic, equipped with high vaulted ceilings, parquet floors, plush white duvets, Illy coffee machines, and spacious bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Corner Suites provide a handsome-yet-homey feel with hardwood floors, textured rugs, antique furniture, and crisp white linens. The Lakeview Villas are particularly notable for their panoramic views of Nahuel Huapi and sleek, sustainable design.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience at Las Balsas is a significant draw, with the excellent restaurant showcasing local Patagonian produce and freshwater fish. The cuisine artfully blends Patagonian traditions with Latin American and European influences, focusing on simplicity, innovation, and sophistication, aligning with Slow Food movement principles and sustainability. Dishes mentioned include refined starters like steak tartare with wasabi-infused egg yolk and mains such as Patagonian trout with creamy pepper purée. Breakfast is à la carte and highly rated by guests. The hotel also offers a traditional afternoon tea with gourmet jams, cakes, and pastries. The bar features cozy seating, a snack-style menu, and an extensive selection of over 150 wines, alongside pisco sours, martinis, and an honesty bar. Argentinian gin tastings are also available.
5. Service & Staff
Hospitality at Las Balsas is consistently lauded, with guests frequently highlighting the staff as excellent, friendly, and welcoming. Reviewers commend their attentiveness, such as offering informed recommendations from the vast wine list. The staff's ability to accommodate specific needs, such as flawlessly catering to celiac guests, is also noted.
6. Location & Accessibility
Las Balsas is idyllically situated just outside the small town of Villa La Angostura, within the stunning Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina's Lake District. This prime location offers spectacular views of Lake Nahuel Huapi and the surrounding Andes. San Carlos de Bariloche airport (BRC) is approximately an hour's drive away, with daily flights connecting from major Argentine cities like Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Salta, as well as Santiago de Chile. The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, providing opportunities for hiking through ancient forests, kayaking among lake islands, fly fishing, sailing, horseback riding, and skiing or snowboarding at nearby Cerro Bayo and Cerro Catedral during winter months. While taxis are available, a rental car from Bariloche airport is often recommended for guests who wish to explore the region independently, as taxi costs can accumulate, and waiting times may be around twenty minutes.
7. Value & Pricing
As a luxury Relais & Châteaux property, Las Balsas offers a high-end experience commensurate with its pricing. Base rates for a stay start from approximately $299, though prices can fluctuate significantly based on room type and dates. Guests have reported paying around $900 per night for a villa. Rates typically include à la carte breakfast, and guests have options for half-board (including lunch or dinner with soft drinks and a 50-minute massage) or full-board (all meals, soft drinks, massage, and return Bariloche Airport transfers). The general consensus is that the unparalleled location, exceptional service, and luxurious amenities make it a worthwhile splurge for an unforgettable Patagonian escape.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted. One guest mentioned that the lake frontage can be somewhat noisy during the day due to public beach access. Another isolated incident involved an unlocked connecting door to a neighboring villa upon check-in. Within the spa, a guest found one massage therapist to be less experienced, and noted the gym's limitation to a single treadmill. It is important to note that the hotel is not recommended for guests with reduced mobility. Additionally, the hotel has an annual closure period from December 26th to January 10th.
