Where to Stay in El Chalten, Argentina
Patagonia is one of my favorite places in the world. The hikes are some of the most iconic & photogenic I’ve ever done! And of the region’s three major hubs: Puerto Natales, El Calafate, & El Chalten ~ El Chalten is my favorite. Why? Because the town is insanely beautiful, being SO close to the mountains. And some hotels give up up-front views of those incredible moutains….like the dining room at El Chalten Suites! To get the best value for your money, let’s learn where to stay in El Chalten…
This sums up why I love El Chalten so much: even the highway leading there is INSANE!! And the town puts you even closer to these mountains…
A quick overview of 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 = Gateway to epic Mount Fitz Roy hike (the tallest mountain in the photo above).
If you love hiking: stay at least 3-4 days in El Chalten. There are SO many amazing hikes here…
Map of El Chalten Hotels
I stayed in El Chalten for over a week, & tried out several different accommodations. My biggest tip: go HIGH or LOW here!! Meaning, either splurge for a nice hotel, such as Destino Sur ~ or go budget at a hostel, where you can meet fellow travelers to hike with. I was not impressed with any of the town’s mid-range lodgings, & found them overpriced (& many with tiny rooms).
Mount Fitz Roy
El Chalten Suites
Hotel Destino Sur
Los Cerros Spa & Hotel
Aylen Aike Hostel
Patagonia Travellers Hostel
Overview of El Chalten Hotels
The view from the breakfast room at El Chalten Suites.
- Hotel Destino Sur ($170+) = Best Value for Luxury in El Chalten! And you’re super-close to the Fitz Roy trail head here, plus many other great El Chalten hikes. But also just a 5-minute walk to town. Rooms are spacious, their breakfast buffet is the BEST in town, & their spa is a little larger & more luxurious than the one at Los Cerros.
- Los Cerros Boutique Hotel & Spa ($308+) = High-End, Cozy Lodging with Amazing VIEWS: Sitting on top of a small hill in town, Los Cerros has cozy rooms ~ many with incredible valley views. They also have a small spa, hot tubs, nice breakfast buffet, & a common room with more incredible views.
- Patagonia Travellers Hostel ($48) = Warm & Cozy Hostel with Bike Rentals: There’s a free breakfast offered here, laundry facilities, a bar/lounge, bike rentals, & horseback riding offered. Rooms are basic but clean, & staff can help you get organized to hike, etc.
- Aylen Aike Hostel ($60+) = Hostel with Panoramic Mountain Views + Friendly Feel: Here’s the scoop straight from a recent visitor: “Absolutely perfect place to stay. Clean, warm, welcoming, perfect atmosphere & people. Located in the middle of town, not far from anything. The owner, Sebastian, is a story of his own, you have to love this guy. Super chill, helpful, friendly, you name it. I spent one week here & will come again in the future!”
- Chalten Suites Hotel ($172+) = One of the Only Luxury Hotel Options Right in Town: I stayed here for 3 nights, before & after the epic Fitz Roy hike. I HIGHLY recommend splurging after your longest hike: it’s SO nice to take a hot shower & sleep in a comfortable bed after hiking. Chalten Suites offers an amazing breakfast, with fantastic views of El Chalten’s major mountains. And their rooms are among the largest & most modern in town.
Situated on a prime corner in town, many of El Chalten Suites’ rooms look RIGHT at the mountains.
“El Chalten Suites has a great location, nice rooms that are very clean, large, & one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever sleep on. Front desk staff are very nice & helpful, the restaurant team is very polite, & serving great food. Location is very central & views of the mountains are breathtaking.”
– Eugenia Dunn
Photos of Hotel Destino Sur
When you stay at Destino Sur, you'll enjoy the following: a delicious breakfast buffet, coffee bar, swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, massages, & some of the best Wi-Fi in town (Wi-Fi is notoriously bad in El Chalten)! You're also located at the end of town, very close to the Mount Fitz Roy trail head.
Destino Sur sits in a beautiful location, near the base of the Fitz Roy hike.
Rooms are some of the largest in town.
Relax in their spa after a long hike....
"We had a wonderful stay at Destino Sur. The staff was super friendly, they helped us plan our hikes, & even let us borrow some hiking sticks! Our room was huge & clean, with a very comfortable bed. Breakfast was great, tons of options: a perfect start to a long day of hiking. They have a spa, with massages available! El Chalten is a small town, so everything is within walking distance.
This was our favorite hotel during our stay in Argentina. I hope to return again someday. Absolutely lovely."
- Brandon Godward
Check prices at Hotel Destino Sur.
Photos of Los Cerros Hotel
Los Cerros sits up on a small hill in town, which gives it amazing views of the mountains & town below. There's also a good breakfast buffet, a restaurant & bar, guest lounge with comfy chairs + amazing views, & a small spa with sauna & hot tub.
Rooms at Los Cerros have some of the most INCREDIBLE views in town.
They also have a cozy spa with great views...
"I was really surprised by Los Cerros! Great location, great food, great VIEWS, sweet staff. The bed was enormous & perfectly comfortable, a must after long travel & hiking days. Plus, we had a huge jetted tub which made for extra-special relaxing. I would absolutely recommend staying here for an El Chalten adventure!"
- Logan Hitchcock
Photos of Great Hostels in El Chalten
Aylen Aike is one of the top-rated hostels in El Chalten, & lets you connect with other hikers.
Patagonia Travelers Hostel is a fun & friendly place to stay on a budget.
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