Hotel berhampiran MUSEO REGIONAL (MUNICIPAL), Lago Argentino Department

This place represents what traveler hostels are intended to be – a cool spot to hang out, meet people, and find your own combo of chill and adventure. The staff at the front desk enjoy meeting visitors and giving advice on how to get things arranged (they even held my cash for me, til an outside tour company came to collect it). And, they are wonderful people themselves, and great to meet and chat with. Because of them, the vibe at America de Sur is just what you would want – easy-going, helpful and welcoming. While I was there, a local band came and played music at dinner. That was a really nice bonus, as is the outdoor deck behind the dining area. The location is great for transport to the glaciers and airport, and America de Sur is well known among the tour operators so there is no problem with pick-up and drop-offs.

Hotel is made of cardboard. Walls super thin and there is zero control of other guests. I know it’s hard to control but when other guests leave their door Ld open and party in the halls come on!?! At least Daniel at front desk moved us. Some runs have micro safes and barely any room to put anything incl a laptop. No hot water one morning. Fun taking a shower. Mattresses were poor and warped. Breakfast was pretty lousy. Pool and spa looked okay. Dirt, dusty road to walk to downtown. Do not get a room on first floor. Workers loom in you room and can’t leave window open for some fresh air since no A/C. Hard pass.

A modest aging property located in the small town of Califate that provides a convenient base for exploring the nearby lake and natural wonders. It looks quite stately from the lobby and exterior but the rooms and especially the bathrooms are long over due for an upgrade. We stayed for two nights at the end of January as part of a tour to visit glaciers and national parks. We stayed in a king room on the 2nd floor. While perfectly clean and comfortable it was definitely a step down from other hotels on this trip-comparable to a mid-scale spot in the US. Like other area hotels in Patagonia, there is no Ac due to the normally cool climate and heat is provide via antiquated radiators. Luckily there was a large sliding window to open but without any cross ventilation or fan to move air, the room felt stuffy. The small bathroom was at least 20 years old with outdated fixtures like the tub/shower combo and a tiny single sink with antiquated faucet and sputtering water pressure. Bath amenities were also very basic. Breakfast was included and while there were many selections, items were largely packaged and canned foods set out like canned pears, cold cuts, and processed meats and cheese. As I said, despite the woeful lack of creature comforts, as a place to crash for a couple of nights it was perfectly adequate.

This hotel offers basic accommodation, there are no frills, but it is a great base to explore El Calafate town. They have a delicious breakfast with an extensive selection. There is also a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. This has to be pre-booked and you are only allocated a 30 minute slot so it’s a bit of a whirlwind but great none the less after a long day out in the cold at the glaciers. If your main aim is to be outdoors and explore the glaciers rather than relaxing at a luxurious hotel then I would recommend this hotel.

Stayed here as part of an Inspiring Vacations tour. It isn't the type of place you want to stay if on a tour and wanting to see the destination city. Design Suites Calafate is technically I guess in Calafate, but in reality is located about 7km from the part of town as a tourist you'll want to go to and spend most of your day at, or even as someone who is hungry and wants to buy either a meal or just a bottle of soft drink or snack from a shop. There are no shops whatsoever in the vicinity of Design. It's one of those places where if you gave someone directions those directions include turn off the paved road. I did walk into ”town” the first day of my stay, you walk down a lot of dirt roads, there's some derelict houses between you and the tourist area (I never felt unsafe at all), as well as plenty of newer houses, hotels and lots of buildings under construction. In fact the great view which is the number one thing this place has going for it, I think if you came back in five years, would be completely different. But at the moment you get a great view from your room (if you get one facing Lake Argentina) or from the dining room and other common rooms. It's nice but it's like a painting, it never really changes. For me I'd rather walk 7kms to see a nice view, stay there for long enough to take it in, then go back to my accommodation where the main town/tourist area is. You really need a car if you're staying here, although they do have to free scheduled shuttle drop offs and pickup times, although they are not very convenient times so I never used it. Room comes with breakfast which is a buffet serve yourself what you want from a couple of tables. Juice, various sliced bread to toast, fruit, cereals, pastries. There were scrambled eggs and on the first day these weird bacon fat things. The second day some little frankfurt things were mixed in with the bacon fat. I preferred it without them. The staff were always quite friendly and helpful. Room was a decent size, two beds had been pushed together to form a double, the second night kind of noticed the gap as you sort of fall in between them. But it was comfortable. These weird leather women's purse type pillows were on the bed and were very uncomfortable along with great normal ones. An odd collection of wires hung above the bed for some reason. Was it art? I don't know. Bathroom toilet was excellent. Shower unfortunately was in a bath tub. No need for a shower curtain with how it was designed. The wash your hands basin though was too shallow. Like the depth of a dinner plate. Walls were really thin, you could here everything that was being said by the loud talker in the room next door.

I am seeing a lot of negative reviews and that compelled me to share my experience. My paperwork reads the Xelena as a 4 star hotel. We booked a lakeview room and when we checked in, it was at the ground level. A jogging/bike path was in front and a patch of lawn with access to the spa was in front of the picture window. I didn't like it and asked to be moved. I also wonder if the heater was broken as the room was hot and the window would not stay open. We got moved to a room on the 4th floor, same level as the reception. We still have a view of the lake, just with some tree branches in front. I like our bathroom. I like the stone and everything about it. I like there are a few places to hang our towels. I like the big closet. The furniture is sp**** but comfortable for us. The pillows are great. There are two double beds but maintenence converted them to a King like on a cruises cruiseship. Unlike other Argentinian hotels where a bellhop walks us to our room and shows us how to use the tech, Xelena didn't have that and we needed help with the heater. Our 2nd room had a newer AC/heater and it was easier to use. No problem with the auto blinds. Overall, a nice experience. I enjoyed our included breakfast. I like our coffee in the room as I enjoy the view and the quiet before going to the buffet. We also appreciate the complimentary shuttle to town.

This hotel is some way out of the town. Approximately one and a half hours walk but there is a bus service starting at mid day. The positives first. Lovely views of lake, staff mostly attentive but sometimes difficult to make ourselves understood in English. Good food in restaurant for dinner. Not so good for breakfast. The negatives. The “gym” is not a gym. Home style treadmill with no elevation, two bikes, upright not working. A few very light weights. Room was very poor. No soundproof, you could literally hear every word from the room next to ours and certainly knew when they used the bathroom! Beds basic and uncomfortable. One very thin pillow. We had to put cushions under it and still uncomfortable. No hairdryer in our room. No plug for bath. Towels thin and torn. Very basic amenities and no shower gel. No kettle in room. Finally the checkout time is 10am but we were not informed of this. Had a phone call at ten past to ask where we were. They seemed angry with us. There is a very small notice at the reception desk that was not drawn to our attention when we checked in.

Muy buen hostel, con ubicación perfecta y resto abierto 24 hs. Podes comer a la hora que querés, xq la mayoria de los restos del Chalten abren al medio dia y a la noche o solamente a la noche. Atención de chicos excelente! Nos ayudaron mucho con el pronóstico para planear los recorridos. La habitación privada muy linda, calefacción buena, instalaciones nuevas y limpieza de 10. Comimos en resto y es para recomendar. Comida muy rica y platos para compartir. Tienen salón arriba exclusivo para huéspedes. Hay tres opciones para desayunar, incluidas a la rarifa, y podes elegir. Todo abundante y riquísimo. Baños y duchas del hostel que vi, muy limpios. Este lugar tiene muy buena onda! Nos quedamos muy satisfechos! Si volveremos seguro lo elegimos de nuevo