Where to Stay in El Calafate, Argentina
This article rounds out a series I’ve written lately on Patagonia: which includes iconic places to stay in Torres del Paine National Park, or more reasonable hotels in nearby Puerto Natales. I’ve also covered El Chalten, which is one of my favorite places to hike in Patagonia! But today’s article focuses on El Calafate ~ which is the first place I ever traveled in Patagonia. Two girls I met at a horse farm in Uruguay & I decided to fly to El Calafate, so that we could visit Perito Moreno Glacier. Based on our adventures, find out where to stay in El Calafate, Argentina…
Once upon a time, three girls met in Uruguay…then flew down to El Calafate, to see the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier.
What are Patagonia’s Three Major Cities?
- 1) Puerto Natales = The gateway to Torres del Paine National Park;
- 2) El Calafate = The gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier & other Patagonia adventures;
- 3) El Chalten = Town at the base of epic Mount Fitz Roy hike.
In a Rush? Here are My Favorite El Calafate Hotels:
⭐ Best Overall + Lake Views: Hotel Mirador del Lago
❤️ Best for Couples: Kosten Aike Hotel
💰 Best Value + Views: La Cantera Boutique Hotel
🎒 Best for Budget/Solo Travelers: America del Sur Hostel
✨ Best Luxury + Pool: Xelena Hotel & Suites
Overview of El Calafate Hotels
The view from America del Sur Hostel in El Calafate, Argentina! It’s just a short downhill walk to town from here…
- America del Sur Hostel ($40+) = My Favorite Hostel in Patagonia! The view from America del Sur’s massive dining room/lobby is WELL worth the price. Views of turquoise Lago Argentino are unforgettable…this is a jaw-dropping location. And a great place to meet friends to hike with! The large dining area makes it easy to meet people. You can either stay in shared dorms, or private rooms. Check prices here.
- La Cantera Hotel Boutique ($80+) = Designer Lodge with Amazing Lake VIEWS: Set high on a hill, La Cantera gives you amazing city & lake views; many rooms also have lake views. Enjoy free breakfast, room service + a nice restaurant & bar. Sit on their stunning outdoor terrace for incredible views of the lake, & a peaceful feel. BEST VALUE. Check prices here.
- Kosten Aike Hotel ($115+) = Cute Boutique Hotel with Hot Tub + Sauna! If you want charm & a good location: check out Kosten Aike. For a mid-range price, you can enjoy a free breakfast buffet, exercise room, Scottish shower, hot tub, & sauna. And you’re right in town: walkable to plenty of shops & restaurants! A GREAT location. Check prices here.
- Hotel Mirador del Lago ($120+) = Chic Hotel with Incredible Lake Views + Easy Walk to Town: Set right on the shores of Lago Argentino, this cozy hotel has warm rooms with Wi-Fi & flatscreen TV’s ~ plus a good breakfast buffet & restaurant. You’re right in town, easily walkable to restaurants & shops. This is where I would stay! (Note: Sometimes, Expedia has cheaper prices for this hotel than Booking.com: so check both sites.) Check prices on Expedia here.
- Xelena Hotel & Suites ($162+) = The Place to Splurge with Amazing Indoor/Outdoor Pool! This is the one of the only five-star hotels in El Calafate, set right on the turquoise shores of Lago Argentino. Their STUNNING indoor/outdoor pool is not to be missed! Many rooms have balconies with amazing lake views, as does their restaurant. If I was celebrating a special occasion, or just tired of staying in mid-range hotels: I’d stay here.
Incredible indoor/outdoor pool at Xelena Hotel & Suites.
Ask for a lake view room at Xelena!
✨ Best Luxury Hotel:Xelena Hotel & Suites — Wake up to stunning Lake Argentino views, visit Perito Moreno Glacier for the day, then come back & unwind in their heated indoor/outdoor pool & spa. This is the perfect place to splurge for a luxurious Patagonia escape.
Map of El Calafate Hotels
👉 Type your travel dates into the map below to see which hotels are still available for your trip!
Photos of El Calafate Hotels
La Cantera Hotel Boutique is set on a hill, with amazing views.
Check prices at La Cantera Hotel Boutique.
Kosten Aike Hotel offers comfort & the feel of staying in someone’s home…very popular with couples!
Check prices at cozy, reasonably-priced Kosten Aike Hotel.
Photos of Mirador del Lago Hotel
Hotel Mirador del Lago offers some of the best lake views in town.
Beautiful dining room at Mirador del Lago.
Views of Lago Argentino.
🏆 My Pick: Hotel Mirador del Lago
If you want a comfortable hotel with gorgeous Lago Argentino views AND an easy walk into El Calafate, this is the hotel I’d choose.
Goodbye, Argentina…
Read More Articles on Patagonia:
- The Perfect 10-Day Patagonia Itinerary
- How Much Does a Trip to Patagonia Cost?
- Where to Stay in Puerto Natales by Torres del Paine
- How to Hike the Iconic Mirador Las Torres Hike on a Budget
Mirador las Torres in Torres del Paine is my favorite hike EVER!! Click on the photo to read about the hike…
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Where to Stay in El Chalten, Argentina
Pin It
Discover more from Girl Who Travels the World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Of the three major cities in Patagonia, which was your favorite? i.e. where would you spend the most time?
Hi Allison! That is really hard, because they’re all quite charming in their own way. And none are too big or overwhelming! But because there are SO many great hikes in El Chalten, pretty much all accessible from town: I’d choose to stay longer there. And also because there’s so much to see in Torres del Paine, I’d opt to stay longer in Puerto Natales as well. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like El Calafate! It’s super cute ~ but my absolute favorite adventures were located by the other towns. Hope that helps! xoxo Noelia
I know you wrote this over a year ago, so not sure if you’re monitoring comments, but I think we only have time for El Chalten or Torres del Paine (but not enough for W hike), so would you recommend TDP or El Chalten for best day hikes? (We are seasoned hikers). Thanks in advance.
Hi Rebecca! And yes ~ I monitor comments for ALL of my articles : ) The Patagonia ones are especially popular. Your question is really tough, because Torres del Paine is an absolutely ICONIC place (the hike to the famous Miradors is probably the #1 favorite hike of my life). But what makes TDP difficult is the lodging aspect: if you’re staying in Puerto Natales, as I was, that’s a 90-minute drive from TDP. So either you would need to camp + hike for several days (which I personally didn’t want to do), & many of those hikes (i.e. French Valley, etc.) are very long, & subject to weather & wind issues, even in the summer. Staying right in TDP can be very expensive ~ but if money is no object, then that is an option to be closer to all of these grand hikes, without having to camp, etc.
The hiking in El Chalten is more easily accessible (I walked right from my hotels in town to at least 5 different hikes), & I would say you have a greater variety of hikes in El Chalten – that don’t require multi-day trekking. If you want to go for an easier, 45-minute hike: you can do that. If you want to do longer, more epic hikes, like to Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre: you can do that. And then you can come right back into town, grab food on the main street, & sleep in a nice bed. Or get a massage. (This is my kind of travel, btw! Ha)
So in a nutshell: Torres del Paine is probably more iconic & unforgettable ~ but El Chalten (I thought) was just as gorgeous, had a ton of variety, & was more easily accessible for hiking (i.e. from hotel to hikes). So hopefully that helps a bit! It really depends what kind of travelers you guys are, if you like long hikes/camping, etc. or if you prefer a little more comfort after hiking. You really can’t go wrong in either place! xoxo Noelia