Las Balsas travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Villa La Angostura in Argentina‘s Patagonia is a quaint village with a friendly atmosphere. Despite being in South America, it has slightly Swiss feel to it, which could be down to the very tempting chocolate shops on every corner, or perhaps the chalet-style homes. Set aside form the small town, Las Balsas is a hideaway in a league of its own. Hidden far down a small dirt track, within the Nahuel Huapi National Park – one of the most beautiful spots in Patagonia – this certainly is not a place you will stumble across by chance. Photo by: noe_cherokee

With just twelve rooms and three suites, it is guaranteed to be intimate. Each room has its own style, from the all dusty-pink room with its stunning views framed by the Andes to the elegant red-striped scheme. Photo by: noe_cherokee

There is even a sophisticated, simple beige suite transformed with original vanished canoes cut in half and upturned in lieu of side tables. In addition to the interior and exterior pool, there is a stone spa with an incredible array of treatments: everything from a ”golden face mask”, with gold acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, to a full-body ”chocotherapy”, using chocolate as a base element. Photo by: noe_cherokee

The hotel’s attraction is definitely the restaurant and the charming wine-tasting lounge built from cypress and stone. Nibble on trout seviche, king crab with coconut milk, or venison with a blackcurrant and chocolate sauce before trying the Argentine’s favorite dessert: dulce de leche served with red fruit sherbet and coconut cookie by chef Pablo Campoy. Las Balsas might be in the middle of nowhere, but that not means you have to compromise on comfort. Photo by: noe_cherokee