Argentina is a once in a lifetime destination for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere. Its cities are a riot of vibrant colour which dance to a tango beat, while its rural backyard boasts spectacular scenery, from the salt desert of the north-west to the lake district of Patagonia and the vineyards of Mendoza. It's a spectacular country. Reflecting this diversity, you'll find some great hotels here, ranging from rural estancias and wine estates to urban boutique designer hotels.
Vibrant Buenos Aires
Most visitors land in the capital Buenos Aires. This lively city is both a cosmopolitan metropolis and, in places, a small, friendly town, where everything from wine to tango is celebrated in festival form. In the colourful heart of the city you'll see businessmen in suits jostling fruit sellers and jugglers, with the local butcher (OMG the meat!) sandwiched between an artisan designer, an international boutique and an award-winning seafood restaurant.
Mendoza: Food and Wine Capital
There's more to the Andes mountain range than spectacular passes and 'bucket-list' views. Eighty per cent of Argentina's world-class wine is produced in the bone dry foothills of the Andes, where the sunny days and cool nights create excellent conditions. Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina, with some wonderful wine estates and lodges to stay in across Mendoza Province, as well as a good selection of boutique bed and breakfast hotels. For foodies, Mendoza is a must.
Scenic Bariloche
For jaw-dropping landscapes, make sure you take a trip out to Bariloche in the south, the hub of Argentina's Lake District. Bariloche is a small city 900m above sea level, surrounded by peaks reaching over 2,000m high. The dramatic scenery comes with plenty of snowfall, so in winter the area turns alpine. There are some excellent Swiss-chalet style places to stay here, as well as luxury spas and lakeside hotels, many with spectacular views. Bariloche is also an excellent centre for both summer and winter sports, from sky-diving to hiking and climbing.
Cultural Córdoba
If it's culture you're after, Córdoba, a city in the centre of Argentina, boasts four impressive galleries, multiple museums and some beautiful churches — earning it the title of 'Cultural Capital of the Americas'. It's a great place for visitors because it's small enough to explore on foot, and most roads run off Córdoba's lively and lovely colonial central square. Needless to say, there are some excellent places to stay in Cordoba, from traditional colonial style mansion houses to stylish boutiques.
Finally ...
Check out some of the off the beaten track hotels and lodges and fincas close to some of the other scenic highlights, whether the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, the Salinas Grandes Salt Flats, the gateway to the Andes at Salta, or the scenic south — where there are some great experiential places to stay in El Chalten and El Calafate in Santa Cruz province, and in Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego further south.