mmb23

My husband and I are considering a few nights at the Four Seasons Carmelo after 5 or 6 days in Buenos Aires. We're seeking a restful outdoor setting with good food, wine, the possibility of visiting a vineyard, a bit of walking or hiking.

I'd love to hear from folks who stayed there on a couple things:

1. do you have to rent a car, or is it possible to get there and be there for 2-3 nights without one?

2. are there restaurants/vineyards within walking distance (up to an hour, we love to walk)? If not, is a shuttle available, and is there a charge for guests to use it?

3. Did you go horseback riding, wine tasting, or do any other excursions organized by the property? Were they good, and what was the cost?

4. How did you find the on-site restaurants, in terms of cost and quality?

I appreciate any tips/insights on this property. I'm also open to other suggestions; I encountered Estancia Tierra Santa but can't seem to find much on it in this forum or on tripadvisor, so I'm wary (despite the beautiful web site).

Thanks in advance for your help!
Melissa

owlwoman

We stayed there in 2006 on our last trip to AR, it was our R&R before heading home.

1. No, you don't need a car, the FS has a shuttle that will pick you up (we came via the buquebus into Colonia). I believe a private taxi (at that time) was $50.00.

2. We went to a restaurant up the road one night, I believe the FS shuttle drove us over. We walked the property a lot, it's very pretty, they have an amazing looking golf course (we don't play).

3. Went horseback riding, it was $25 for an hour, kind of a boring ride, did walk along the beach. Had a good massage, about $95 (all US).

4. Restaurants were very good, we had a buffet breakfast included each morning that was more than ample. The Italian restaurant was very good too. Prices were way above what local restaurants would charge, but not as much as NY prices.

The staff is really great there too, they remember your name, etc. The pool is also nice.

That all being said, as beautiful this resort was, I felt I could be anywhere in the world. There was a big group of Americans there (so am I), on a business conference.

If you really want a great taste of local AR, I would either end my trip at the Llao Llao in Bariloche or, if you have the time, Colome near Molina (in the NW of AR). I had the best horseback ride with the resident gaucho, Ernesto, in Colome, really neat area, you're in a vineyard and there's lots of places to walk.
http://www.estanciacolome.com/Estancia/index.htm

Have fun....we're going back for our third trip in March.

Graziella5b

We did not rent a car either. They pick you up at the port providing you can that way, ( it might be charge or not)
2) we walked around the property is very big
3) to visit the oldest winery in Uruguay, Cerros de San Juan we drove there by taxi, but there might be a better way , like a small tour.
That day we rented a taxi paying a flat fee and he took us to Colonia and the WInery.
I can guess there are several options to go about a car is not a must. The property is very nice.

Graziella5b

i meant providing you arrive that way...( there might be a charge or not)

mmb23

thanks to you both for your responses. Your info is great!

owlwoman, I hear what you're saying about authenticity and would love to know if you have any authentic (but slightly luxurious) recommendations for properties within a couple hours of BA. We made the decision to stay in that area (rather than taking any internal flights or long buses). We made this decision because a) it's not relaxing for us to move around too much and we dislike being in transit, and b) domestic flights aren't inexpensive, and c) we like sinking into a specific area and getting to know it.

We also love wine, which is what pushed me into the Uruguay area instead of just going to an estancia outside BA, but I'm open to any suggestions within a couple hours of the city.

Thanks again to both of you!

owlwoman

The only other recommendation would be an estancia within a couple of hours of BA. I haven't stayed in any of them, but did look at two for our last trip to AR (Villa Maria and El Ombru). We use a local travel agent, [email protected] who has always found places to meet our needs. She would be better equipped to make a recommendation near BA.

But, don't get me wrong, the FS is a beautiful property (our room was amazing, two stories and huge).

Note, it also takes a while to get there (buquebus, which is the fast ferry from BA - Colonia)then another 1 hour ride or so to the resort.