Las Balsas: Villa La Angostura's Enduring Original Luxury

Las Balsas Relais & Chateaux, a landmark hostería in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, has preserved its distinctive charm since its inception in 1989. When it first opened, the area lacked basic amenities like roads, gas, electricity, and telephone service. Today, Villa La Angostura, nestled within the Nahuel Huapi National Park and serving as the gateway to the famed Seven Lakes Route, thrives as a tourist destination, tripling its summer occupancy and drawing visitors for skiing at Cerro Bayo.

The hostería, instantly recognizable by the striking blue of its exterior walls, remains a serene refuge on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. Despite significant growth since its early days, Las Balsas has steadfastly maintained its unique identity. Guests often find themselves drawn to the balance between exploring the region's natural beauty, mountains, lakes, and landscapes, and enjoying the tranquility and warmth within the hostería itself.

Luxury at Las Balsas is defined not by ostentation, but by personalized service, gourmet cuisine, and the privacy of its modern villas offering expansive bay views. Alternatively, guests can find comfort in the main house's classic Patagonian architecture. The establishment was founded by Pinky Fernández Barrio and Ana Goñi, who were inspired by a summer stay in the nascent tourist area. They envisioned a boutique hotel, a novel concept for Argentina at the time.

In 1995, Las Balsas achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first hotel in Latin America to join Relais & Chateaux, an association renowned for its high standards in luxury hospitality and personalized service. This prestigious affiliation followed an unannounced visit by the association's then-president. Two years later, in 1996, Ana and Pinky sold the hostería to one of their loyal patrons, the Sielecki family, who had been vacationing there regularly.