5 Best Hotels in The Lake District, Argentina

Perched on a hill where the Correntoso River flows into Lago Nahuel Huapi, this local landmark is at once cozy and contemporary; from your plate-glass bedroom window you can see the fish jumping. The hotel was originally a fisherman's refuge, and today old photos, light fixtures made from colihue branches, handwoven Mapuche fabrics, and artisans' furnishings reflect its hundred-plus-year history. A somewhat pricey restaurant overlooking the lake serves Patagonian specialties such as hare, wild boar, lamb, and, of course, fish from local waters.

Ringed by cerulean lakes and looking out to cliffs and snow-dusted mountains, this masterpiece by noted architect Alejandro Bustillo is ranked as one of the Leading Hotels of the World by industry associations. Rooms in the historic main building are all Victorian chintz and overstuffed poshness, while the newer, Lake Moreno wing reflects a more contemporary, hunting-lodge aesthetic. Local woods—alerce, cypress, hemlock—line the walls along a 91-meter (300-foot) passageway, and the reading room, bridge room, Llao Llao Salon, and other public areas are correspondingly lavish. Even if you're not staying here, it pays to make a lunch or dinner reservation, or to invest in one of the spa packages, just to see one of the world's most beautiful hotels.

At this stunning modern hotel, all public spaces—halls, wine bar, gourmet restaurant, even the downstairs gym and indoor-outdoor pool—face the lake, while a private launch docked at the pier makes getting out on the water a cinch. Here the aesthetics go well beyond the lush natural setting: sculptures perched on marble stands or freestanding in the garden are part of a 500-work collection displayed throughout the property, making this Bariloche's most stylish lodging. You'll also find artwork in the huge, lake-view guest rooms, which are tastefully done in natural colors. The hotel is less than 15 minutes from Bariloche, Cerro Catedral's ski slopes, and two 18-hole golf courses.

Inside this posh mountain lodge, every detail—varnished pine beams, kilim rugs, stone hearths, all-wood floors—is chosen to convey an aura of rustic luxury, while outside, Lago Gutiérrez shimmers through the trees on the surrounding lawn. The combination makes this a great place to curl up with a book or lounge in a hammock. Prefer to expend some energy? No problem—just sign up in the lobby for the day's activities, which include kayaking, horseback riding, and folk-music concerts with Andean instruments.

Poised dramatically on a cliff overlooking Lago Nahuel Huapi and its forests, this classic stone-and-wood lodge enjoys one of the most beautiful settings on earth: the architecture harmonizes with the natural surroundings, and the tranquil interior—with white walls, pine trim, leather upholstery, and fine Mapuche-woven rugs—conveys a sense of peace. The whole property is a labor of love by its owners, who restored it from the foundations of the original lodge, which was built in 1937 and destroyed by fire in 1982.