Finca Valentina

Chic but relaxed: a beautifully designed guesthouse just southwest of Salta, which offers breathtaking tours

It was Fabrizio who fell in love with the Argentine northwest first. He’s so passionate about the beauty of the dazzling high altitude plains of the Puna that he left Italy and started a small company taking guests up across the salt lakes and into the sculptural desert of the Andes beyond. He then wooed Valentina away from designing Chelsea interiors, and together the Italian couple have created a beautiful little country house (known locally here as finca|valentina) with just 5 very chic rooms in a lush garden fringed by distant mountains.

Valentina has brought light and space to traditional Salteño style, combining white walls and lofty ceilings with classical modernist hallmarks: a whole wall of paned glass in the dining room, a soaring minimalist fireplace and a stunning swimming pool. Mid-century modern classics are everywhere, but so are antique chairs, and the hall is hung with ancient woven ponchos. The result is delightfully crisp and airy, but you know you’re in Salta. All 5 romantic bedrooms mix high-end comfort with vintage finds, and the bathrooms are gorgeous little havens. Bowls of roses abound. The food is superb. It’s like staying with relaxed, very welcoming friends.

Highs

• Beautifully designed - rare for Salta - and yet excellent value for money
• Fabrizio and Valentina are great hosts: young, friendly, interested in people, they make you feel at home but leave you to do your own thing
• Personalised service: this is a small place so you create the schedule
• A great base, and really excellent activities on offer: Fabrizio knows the area intimately, and takes visitors to the wildest parts of the northwest, as well as conventional tours to Cachi and Cafayate
• Great location: really handy for Salta city (you will need to get a taxi to and from if without a car) and Salta airport (10 minutes’ drive, with free transfers)

Lows

• Service is relaxed: don’t expect city speed or efficiency
• Fabrizio and Valentina live with their kids next door (but also on site), giving a friendly family feel to the place, but this might not suit those who prefer a child-free atmosphere
• No other restaurants within walking distance/close by