21 Best Hotels in The Northwest, Argentina

Once the only decent place to stay in Cachi, the Argentine Automobile Club hosteria is gaining some stiff competition, but is still a practical option thanks to its swimming pool, children's facilities, attractive garden, and reliable restaurant.

This gorgeous boutique hotel in the village of Tolombón, 14 km (9 miles) south of Cafayate, occupies an 1892 colonial mansion; there's a wine bar and cellar, an excellent restaurant, a reading room complete with fireplace, and a peaceful spa overlooking endless vines. Rooms are spacious and nicely decorated, with views of the garden and large swimming pool. At the back of the hotel you can find the Tolombón Ruins.

This former state-owned hotel, a short ride out of town, has comfortable rooms and recreational facilities that invite you to linger; the view from the swimming pool takes in most of the city and the mountains beyond. Altos de la Viña's 12-acre property also includes a revamped spa and tennis court, plus a reasonably priced restaurant.

Conveniently located between the main plaza and Balcarce Street, Ayres de Salta has a small pool and fitness center on the roof and a good little restaurant on the ground floor; rooms are large and well equipped. The staff can arrange excursions to the rest of the province and parts of Jujuy.

Three km (2 miles) from the plaza on a straight dusty road lined with vineyards and in the shadow of San Isidro is a large white adobe building with 22 rooms built around a wide courtyard. Highlights include walk-in closets, a well-stocked cellar with tastings and talks, an excellent gourmet restaurant, and an elevated swimming pool with views of vineyards and mountains.

Converted from a vintage villa, this boutique hotel stands out for its chic and traditional style and friendly service; the 12 guest rooms are tastefully decorated with traditional antiques and art. Common areas include a charming courtyard, a wine cellar, and a gorgeous stone-walled restaurant (Catalino) serving Andean cuisine.

An adorable one-room B&B located on the vineyard slopes that form part of the San Pedro de Yacochuya wine estate, Fancy Rancho makes for a very private stay. Enjoy breakfast accompanied by a fantastic view of the valley before heading out to nearby wineries Domingo Molino and Piattelli. There’s also a grill so you can try your hand at making asado, Argentina style.

A contemporary offering in the area, Grace Cafayate isn't just a step away from the local style—it's a whole world away; located within the well-heeled La Estancia de Cafayate residential and recreational complex, its lodging options include suites overlooking vineyards in the main building, as well as stand-alone villas and apartments across the way. Relax by the infinity pool or head to the spa for a grape-based treatment, then watch dinner being prepared in the open kitchen at the gourmet restaurant.

This downtown boutique hotel has sober rooms with parquet floors and all the modern conveniences. Large comfy armchairs draped with woven textiles dress the public areas; the decor, with its clean and simple lines, is well executed.

The swimming pool is terrific, the garden is ample, and this—the biggest and oldest hotel in town—is quite comfortable. Half the rooms are standard, the other half superior, with better views and decoration; all feature big bathrooms and lots of storage space.

This charming property in a former convent is run by a cheerful, attentive young staff; rooms are clean, bright, and well-priced. You can opt for a more private, apartment-style suite in the back with its own parrilla (barbecue). The hotel is on a lively street just a few blocks from many downtown attractions.

This hotel, on the main road in the heart of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, is a stunning colonial-style property, complete with a spa, an outdoor swimming pool, and spacious, well-appointed guest rooms. Design and simplicity combine for a comfortable stay. Chef Walter Leal of Finca in San Salvador de Jujuy oversees the restaurant. 

Designated as a National Historic Monument, the Salta occupies a handsome neocolonial building in the heart of the city; antique furniture and views of either the plaza or the surrounding mountains make every room attractive. You'll also find wooden balconies, blue-and-white tiling, sitting rooms on every floor, and a poolside bar-restaurant with an area for barbecues. Local master Ernesto Scotti painted the frescoes in the dining room.

Carob wood and local boulders from the Quebrada de las Conchas were used to construct the little Casa de la Bodega, a rustic space with most mod cons that feels like peace personified. Guest rooms are spacious and well appointed; communal spaces include a living room overlooking the colorful hills, a restaurant, and a pool you can lounge by in summer. You can also visit the winery attached to the hotel, Peña Veyrat Durbex, for a close-up look at boutique wine-making.

The various rooms, cabins, and houses here surround a garden of flowers and cacti; all accommodations are built with traditional local materials—adobe, cane, wood—and are decorated with a contemporary eye. A similar aesthetic is reflected in the restaurant, which is one of the best in town. The small pool is heated, so you can even take a dip on a cool evening, with a view of the Siete Colores range.

A few blocks from the square in a quieter area, Las Terrazas has nine spacious rooms, each with its own balcony. The bar serves snacks and regional wines, and there's also an outdoor swimming pool. Check out the ingenious water feature that flows inside and out, and the perfectly circular well that dates back more than 1,000 years (it was discovered during the hotel's construction). Flora fans will appreciate the owner's cacti collection.

All the reddish adobe walls of the cabins at Los Colorados, on the Cerro de Siete Colores, have rounded corners, giving the whole place a look of having been sculpted straight from the earth; it's a perfect spot for kicking back, whether you're curled up by the fireplace in your room or stargazing on the communal terrace.

Creature comforts, a fine restaurant, and rustic-chic rooms overlooking the vineyards make this luxury property a top choice. In the Wine Spa (which is open only to hotel guests), local blends are used for grape baths and other treatments. If you are more interested in drinking wine than soaking in it, the on-site El Esteco Bodega produces several well-received lines, including Ciclos and Altimus. Comprehensive tours and tastings are available. Be sure to dine at La Rosa restaurant, which has an imaginative menu comprised of contemporary local dishes crated by chef Virginia Marín and many ingredients are sourced from their organic garden.

Just two blocks from the plaza but already on the edge of town, this place feels like a hideaway; behind the large colonial-style building, with its big guest rooms and its fireplace-warmed common area, is a garden with a blue-and-white swimming pool and great views. There's also a well-stocked quincho—a sheltered barbecue area with tables, chairs, and an oven.

This long, thin, adobe boutique hotel overlooks a decent-size swimming pool; inside, rooms have simple decorations and low lighting. A special emphasis was placed on getting the bathrooms right; those in superior rooms have hot tubs. There's a snack bar on-site but no restaurant; given its close proximity to eateries in the town center, however, that's not a problem.

Tucked away in one of the more elevated parts of Tilcara, thereby offering priceless panoramas, cosy rooms and cabins sporting traditional style and plenty of comfort for up to four guests await at Villa del Cielo. Given that the hotel’s owner is also behind Huichaira Vineyard near Tilcara, there’s also a small vineyard. Shared spaces include a relaxing zone and a restaurant with local wine list.