Traveler Favorite - November '09

Villa Huinid, Bariloche, Argentina

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Why so darn good? "Paradise in Patagonia -- Villa Huinid overlooks the Andes foothills and Lago Nahuel Huapi, just a couple of kilometers outside of Bariloche in Argentina's Lake District, so the views are spectacular. The property features a modern hotel and spa as well as several comfortable cabañas. Our family of four rented a one-bedroom cabaña for two weeks (the kids slept on sofas in the living room that convert to beds), and it felt like a ski resort condo with a sort of Ralph Lauren-meets-Martha Stewart style of knotted pine, plaid duvets and gingham window treatments. With a cabaña, you also get hotel amenities such as a breakfast buffet, daily maid service, and use of the pool and fitness center. The service was excellent, and the concierge was exceedingly friendly and helpful. Our kids (ages 8 and 11) loved the property's game room, pool and open space, which includes a play structure."

Location: "Next to the main lakeside highway, close to the city of Bariloche, overlooking the magnificent scenery and lake of Nahuel Huapi (the country's oldest national park) in Argentina's Lake District of Patagonia. Bariloche is a popular destination for skiers, anglers, and trekkers."

Rooms: "We did not see or stay in the hotel rooms, but we rented a cabaña (Villa Huinid has a cluster of cabañas set apart from the main hotel). There are about two or three cabañas in each stand-alone unit, so you share walls with others, but it feels very private nonetheless. It was clean and cozy, with an adequate kitchen, an awesome deck and a laid-back country feel. The grounds: well kept, woodsy, with friendly free-roaming dogs and a chicken coop nearby. The medium-sized indoor swimming pool and fitness center were also well-maintained."

Food: "Mediocre meals in the bar and an adequate breakfast buffet. Fine, but nothing to write home about."

Vibe: "Family-friendly and international. A lot of tour groups seem to book here, so we noticed groups from South Africa, England, U.S., and South America coming and going from the hotel."

Keep in Mind: "Cabañas are a great value and allow you to cook your own meals. You don't really need to rent a car in Bariloche because cab service is plentiful and more affordable than car rentals."

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