Will be in Mendoza the 2nd week in December; are there nice rooms (double) available for under $100 (U.S.)? Any recommendations for wineries to visit?

Try Urbana Suites or next door Urbana Class Hotel, both are fine. Location is good in the City of Mendoza, they have a good breakfast included, internet in the lobby. Rooms in the hotel are smallish but most hotels in Mendoza have small rooms. It is modern and clean and a good buy. THe suites are larger of course, and have like a kitchenet
( URbana Class Hotel is located in 25 de Mayo 1540,Phone 54 261 438 0004

There are more than 900 wineries in Mendoza, quiet a bit, to visit try Catena Zapata, same have nice restaurants, there are several organized tours. Check with the Tourist OFfice.

Thanks very much! I'll check them out.

We stayed at Hotel Bohemia last week. I think it was $92. Nice rooms with great bathrooms and most have outdoor space. There is a swimming pool. Breakfast includes homemade apple tart. It is in a residential neighborhood, but within walking distance to the main park and restaurants. If you do not hire a car, Emir will arrange a tour of the wineries. Actually, most hotels will.

We had a rental car and went to two wineries and then drove to the Chilean Border.

There is a great restaurant at the end the Grandier. But there are great restaurants all over Mendoza.

http://www.vinesofmendoza.com/travel_guide/

Check the above site out, as it has a plethora of useful information. I've found it to be a very helpful source while planning my upcoming trip. There are SO many wineries to choose from, and tons of centrally located affordable hotels to stay in and this site does an above average job of sorting them out.

Don't forget that there are some lovely accomidations 15/20 mins outside of downtown Mendoza that may be worth checking out, and many give a 10% discount if you pay in cash.

Cheers! EG

Thank you sandiej and E Galea! Have either of you tried biking in the area?

We did not bike around Mendoza or Cuyo de Lujan where there are several wineries. However, there were several bike riders around the wineries. It was bit warm/hot and dry without a lot of shade. If you do it make sure you have water.