“Comfort and service w lake views”
This is a very nice place. Built into a south facing slope, the hotel's several buildings have sunny views over Lake Nahuel Huapi. It's a very vigorous walk--about 1.5 mi.--but a quick taxi ride into the center of Bariloche. It's a pity the town has not built a comfortable walking path or sidewalk along the roadway that carries fast moving traffic. The hotel has a modern spa feeling in decor and furniture and uses local art and artists freely. There is very friendly service w a good restaurant and bar in the main building. Get a room w a view to the lake: spectacular. The hotel has good exercise equipment, a heated in-/outdoor pool, and sauna. An excellent choice if you don't have to or want to be in the touristy town itself.
Area recommendations
Bariloche itself has lots of hotels, inns, b&bs of a wide range of quality; likewise the surrounding area. The town is clearly focused on tourism and in the summer when we were there hiking and being on the lake is the main activity but it is a remarkable center for culture and scientific research as well. Check for listings at the hotel. I think staying outside the town is better than being in the center b/c there's more likelihood of getting lake view lodgings. The town center does have the better restaurants, however, with some central streets for strolling but it's really limited. Absent here is concern about personal security, a major focus in Buenos Aires.
When to go
Although it's the center of skiing and winter activities, Bariloche is wonderful in the summer. It is comfortably warm and quite dry and the entire region to the north and south along the Andes is beautiful.
Getting there
We came via Chile spending one night in San Martín de los Andes to the north of Bariloche. There are two roads from San Martin to Bariloche, the main north-south highway which is paved and the Seven Lakes route which is solid packed earth; solid, yes, but rough. We hired a driver at US$200 for the trip and I'm glad not to have driven myself even though I've driven in lots of countries all over the world; the road is just really hard on a car and the driver. There are busses of differing classes of service available for the same route at a lower rate than what we paid for a private car. We did, however, have the privilege of stopping whenever and wherever we wanted and for a photographer or anyone who really wants to take in the breadth and scale and color of the lakes and mountains that is worth a great deal. Bariloche is also serviced w/ an "international" airport; it's small, has an adequate dining room, but has no wifi anywhere.
Getting around
Use taxis for shorter distances. They are relatively inexpensive. There are lots of busses serving neighborhoods and more distant towns.
If one does drive from San Martín de los Andes to Bariloche via the Seven Lakes route, you do pass through Angostura which has all the charm that Bariloche lacks. Angostura is a small town and worth a visit.
What to pack
Bring a fleece jacket or light sweater for the evenings. It can get cooler at night. One is visiting an Andean lake after all and they are very cold and you are at a higher range of elevation. Think Colorado Rockies.
Dining
We ate at Don Molina's. Nice atmosphere, good food, excellent wine. Although big, it was not especially touristy.
Outdoors or beach
Do the Nahuel Huapi boat ride. It takes most of the day and gets you to various parks and visitor centers around the lake. DO NOT buy the VIP Lounge boat ticket. It's not worth the extra expense. All one gets is a top deck enclosed, air-conditioned room separate from the supposed hoi-polloi but isn't that what we all are? And the people are from all over the world and get to stand at the boat railing rather than in the hermetically sealed lounge. The wine and sandwiches that come w the VIP ticket are also available at reasonable prices at the regular bar on the boat.
