36 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.

Run by a German-Italian couple, this B&B in a heritage home surrounded by a beautiful garden has an eclectic mix of singles and doubles; rooms fuse antiques sourced from Buenos Aires with ethnic art, and period details with modern amenities. Pleasant communal spaces include a living room, a library, a greenhouse, and a back garden complete with vines.

Oenophiles will appreciate the decor at Delvino—a remodeled, Spanish-style villa where the airy guest rooms are painted in grape tones (Malbec red among them) and decorated with wine-themed artworks. All are named after one of Argentina’s sacred grapes; try the Torrontés suite for size (it comes with a Jacuzzi). You can relax with a bottle of vino from the on-site wine store in the cozy living room or, in warmer months, sip it on the veranda by the swimming pool.

Despite appearances, this striking Georgian-style mansion only dates from the 1980s, when it was built as a private home; it still feels like one, with bright and airy rooms in the main house and in a guesthouse with huge windows, hardwood floors, and period furniture. The dark-wood-paneled penthouse suite has a vaulted ceiling; two of the double rooms in the guesthouse share a sitting room, making them ideal for a family or group.

It's small and no-frills, but if you're just looking for a place to sleep in between excursions, this friendly lodging a short walk from the main square is a good bet. Its seven rooms are arranged around a small courtyard, and are decorated sparingly.

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.

This century-old building used to be a youth hostel until the owner got tired of the noise and chaos; rooms are basic, but they're set around a pleasant courtyard or around the inviting swimming pool.

At this tranquil retreat, weeping willows, red rocks, and gardens filled with birdsong are hemmed in by the craggy Quebrada and its utter calm; inside the colonial-style stucco mansion, local artifacts and earth tones make things warm and harmonious throughout. The view from the Jacuzzi is unbeatable. The restaurant offers sophisticated takes on local fare.

The building that houses this hotel was formerly used by the painter Medardo Pantoja from Jujuy, hence the name (Refuge of the Painter) and the artwork adorning the walls. The sweeping views are timeless, but everything else has been redone with style and imagination; rooms are small yet efficient, with wooden beams, striped fabrics, and big windows. Common spaces are light and welcoming. There's a fogón (open fireplace) for cooking in the courtyard or for warming chilly feet. Look carefully for the hotel sign or you'll miss it.

An ideal stopover between Salta capital and Cafayate on the Ruta 40, this stunning lodge is located on the Colomé wine estate 20 km (13 miles) from Molinos.

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.

The exterior of this beautiful old house belies the modern comforts within; an elegant lobby leads to a tastefully appointed sitting room, an airy courtyard, and a good (though expensive) restaurant. The rooftop pool area has great city views. The slightly pricier superior rooms have balconies overlooking a quiet plaza; suites have Jacuzzis.

This elegant 10-room abode represents Salta, right down to the cardon cactus door panels and hand-stitched headboards depicting Andean landscapes. Comfortable en suite guest rooms, each named after a national park, have terraces and some boast a poolside view. You can lounge in the living room with a glass of Torrontés after a long day of sightseeing.

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.

Although this stately white-adobe building looks like it's been here forever, it was in fact built in 2006; inside, rooms are huge and comfortable with tasteful wood and iron furniture. Communal areas include an enormous reading room, a well-stocked bar, a wine cellar, and a lovely restaurant. In a separate building there's a fully equipped spa with outdoor Jacuzzi, and hotel staff can arrange trekking, horseback riding, and visits to archaeological sites. The hotel sits between two streams, with the Nevada de Cachi on one side, the Parque Los Cardones on the other, and the town spread out below.

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.

Sister to the Buenos Aires hotel of the same name, the family-run Legado Mítico attends to every detail—from the gorgeous guest rooms named after notable figures from the city's past and individually decorated to suit the titular person right down to the welcome glass of wine. Shared areas, hung with artworks by the owners' mother, Norma Adamo, are so inviting that you might not want to leave.

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.