Hosteria Los Notros

A unique hotel right opposite Perito Moreno glacier, inside Patagonia’s dedicated national park

To gaze at the world’s only advancing glacier from your bed or chaise-longue sounds like a dream. It's certainly a rare privilege, which has made Los Notros one of Argentina's most famous hotels, and unquestionably the best for access to the glaciers.

Chirpy, bilingual, young host-guides take you strolling along walkways to watch great hunks of ice carve into the milky turquoise lake, gliding past on a boat, or hiking the glacier’s ruckled surface with crampons. Then, while other tourists return to busy El Calafate, you’ll stretch out on a lounger and watch the sun set on this silent, infinitely mysterious expanse of ice, sipping a glass of excellent Malbec chosen for you by the sommelier. Rooms are comfortable but not ostentatious, and the restaurant serves a good range of traditional Patagonian delights, accompanied by a seriously good wine list. Most impressively, the enthusiastic staff take every care and go the distance to make you feel welcome. The real magic is that view from your room: unforgettable, and truly awe-inspiring.

Highs

• All inclusive 2- to 4-day packages mean that everything is taken care of: transfers, meals, bilingual guides, boat trips, 'mini-trekking' on the glacier...
• You avoid touristy El Calafate entirely, since all activities and excursions are organised from Los Notros
• You're met at the airport, taken to los Notros, given lunch as you gaze at the incredible view - no irritating check-in
• Charming host-guides plan all your activities with you
• Easily combined with Los Cerros in El Chaltén / Mount Fitz Roy, to make a sublime 'Best Of Southern Patagonia' experience

Lows

• A long way from civilization (not that there's much in El Calafate) and tends to attract older visitors, so if you want to hang out in bars with a younger crowd, stay in town
• No phones or televisions in the rooms, and there's no way of calling reception
• ’Cascada’ rooms were built some time ago, and though the décor is fine, the soundproofing could be better. Ask for Premium rooms if you're a light sleeper
• The glacier wind can be quite chilly and as you are the other side of the mountain, you lose the sun at around 3pm
• It's pricey, though remember that all meals, activities and transfers are included, everything has to be shipped in, and it's hard to put a price on a view like this!