Mendoza is one of the nine Great Wine Capitals, and the city is an emerging eno-tourism destination and base for exploring the region’s hundreds of wineries located along the Argentina Wine Route. The region around Greater Mendoza is the largest wine-producing area in Latin America. [Wikipedia]
It is 1198 km west of Buenos Aires, so it takes 1h 40min by plane or 12 hours by car from Argentina’s capital. It is at the base of the Andes Mountain Range (Cordillera de los Andes) and close to the Chilean border. Its altitude (700m), weather and irrigation system (which captures water from the mountains) make it an ideal area for vineyards.
This is our selection of wine hotels in Mendoza.
Cavas Wine Lodge
Cavas Wine Lodge is the first luxury wine resort in Argentina and it still remains predominant. Its rooms may not be as modern and stylish as the other (and newer) hotels, but the success of Cavas is in the staff and the attention to detail in every aspect of it. It also holds the best reviews on all major online websites.
“From personalised notes on pots of homemade scones and well-timed hot water bottles at the foot of the bed; to the full-blown romance of a candlelit Jacuzzi, or rose-petal strewn cushions set by a wood fire ready for an evening of stargazing. It is impossible not to fall in love with Cavas; it respires romance.” [decanter.com]
The staff is excellent, helpful, friendly and attentive. Most of the hosts declare that the staff make a huge difference, making you feel at home every time.
It is set within a 22-hectare estate at the foot of the Andes, with a splendid Spanish colonial-style boutique hotel. It comprises 18 rooms, including luxury ones and villas. Some of the facilities include a private bathtub and pool, fireplace, terrace, coffee machine and more. The breakfast is delicious and offers a buffet and a la carte items as well. The spa offers a menu of treatments based on the use of vine and grape seed extracts.
The restaurant offers international and Argentinian cuisine (empanadas, chimichurri and humitas, stake, etc.). Its chef, Mariano Gallego, uses vegetables from his own garden. Prices are around 50-60 USD, and cooking classes are also available.
Other activities include horse riding, bike and walking tours, live music, themed dinner parties, tango evenings, birdwatching, hiking and 9 holes golf.
The Vines Resort and Spa
The Vines Resort and Spa is also located in the Uco Valley, the most popular wine area in Mendoza. They offer a large list of activities besides wine tasting, including picking, sorting and crushing grapes (during the harvest season), horse rides at sunrise with local “gauchos”, yoga and fitness sessions, massages, blending wine classes and more.
There are two important highlights of this hotel. One is the offering of private vineyards. So you can live the dream of having a vineyard of your very own and making wines to share with friends and family. Wine lovers have the chance to become winemakers by owning a 1 – 10 acre professionally managed Private Vineyard.
The second highlight is being homed to one of Francis Mallmann’s restaurants. Its name Siete Fuegos, or “seven fires,” describes the chef’s honed collection of open-flame cooking techniques, inspired by Argentine gauchos and European migrations, and refined through hundreds of years of history. “Savour the rustic, fiery flavours of specialities like 9-hour slow-grilled rib eye, cast-iron baked salt-encrusted salmon, grilled seasonal fruits, and more, paired with award-winning boutique wines.” They also have options for kosher guests (reserve in advance) as well as vegetarians and vegans.
Regarding accommodation, they offer 21 villas in total, including 6 one-bedroom units, 8 one-bedroom deluxe villas, and 7 two-bedroom deluxe villas. “Ranging from 1000 – 2700 square feet, these spacious living spaces are luxurious spots to watch the sunrise and set, and take in the majesty of the Uco Valley.”
Some of the rooms include an outdoor deck with a gas fireplace, hot tub, shower or plunge pool with Andes mountain view and more. All rooms are available on booking.com.
Rosell Boher Lodge
Rosell Boher Lodge is one of the newer and best wine hotels in Mendoza. It is located in the Agrelo area, surrounded by vineyards and facing the stunning Andes Mountain Range (Cordillera de los Andes).
It comprises a large guest house with four luxury rooms, as well as three boutique bungalows (Villa), each with its own jacuzzi and firepit. All of them with breathtaking views of the Andes from every angle, and spacious outside seating areas. There is also a lake/pond adding detail to the overall view.
The central area is also spacious and peaceful. You can enjoy gourmet food, including lunch and a three-course dinner. And of course, you have a great wine selection as part of the tasting. I would recommend trying their sparkling wine as well, which is produced from Chardonnay, Pinot and Meunier.
Although the rooms are more expensive than other wine hotels, the extras (lunch, dinner, wine tasting, mini-bar) are set at a very reasonable rate. Rooms are available on booking.com.
Terrazas de los Andes
Located also in Lujan de Cuyo, and facing the imposing Andes, this winery offers a whole experience of all aspects of vineyard life.
“Terrazas de los Andes has leveraged its 45-year history of experimentation with Mendoza microclimates, generated by tiered terraces at unique altitudes, to build a core wine philosophy based on Argentina’s primary country advantage in the world of winemaking: high-elevation grape cultivation.” [winepaths.com]
This centenary-restored Spanish-style winery offers guided tours (regular and private), traditional Argentinian cuisine paired with their finest wines, cooking classes and a guest house. The staff is friendly and informative, and the posada is in a garden surrounded by nature. Their tastings and tours range significantly in cost, so make sure you understand what you are buying.
It is owned by the multinational Moët & Chandon, one of the world’s largest champagne producers (also part of Louis Vuitton Group). So take the opportunity and try their sparkling wine (Chandon or Baron B).
There are 6 rooms (4 twins and 2 kings) in the guest house, each decorated in an exclusive style inspired by their varietals: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Manseng, and Torrontés.
Rooms are not available on any booking website and need to be arranged by contacting them directly.
Casa de Uco
Casa de Uco Vineyards and Wine Resort is another outstanding wine resort and winery, offering all services expected from luxury wine accommodations, plus tastings, private vineyards, restaurants, and additional services such as free horse riding.
Other facilities provided include BBQ areas, bicycles, meeting rooms, swimming pools and a spa.
Huentala Wines
Huentala Wines was born in the year 2002 fromJulio Camsen’s personal seal and the fruit of the vineyards. It is inspired by Gualtallary, indigenous and naked land sheltered by vines and lit by stars.
Three styles of Malbec coexist: a fresh and fruity one towards the North; a spicy, intense and concentrated one in the central part and another one which is exotic with notes of fruits, spices and flowers located in a southerly direction. Thanks to this unique terroir, Huentala Wines achieves an exquisite outcome in each of its lines.
The winery offers accommodation in luxury rooms, lunches, tastings, and social and corporate events.
Posada Salentein
Posada Salentein, located in Los Arboles, Mendoza, is the wine resort of the very popularSalentein winery.
This small and exclusive ranch is surrounded by Bodegas Salentein’s vineyards and has 16 comfortable rooms, divided into three houses, among gardens, vineyards, fruit plantations, and an organic garden. There are 8 individual rooms in the gallery, situated in the house Los Racimos; then, 8 rooms more, divided into two houses, Los Sarmientos and Los Zarcillos, in a more homely environment. Besides, there is a warm restaurant and a comfortable swimming pool with a view of the vineyards.
Some of the activities available for Posada’s visitors are tastings, bicycle rides, visits to the winery, museum and chapel, and lunch/dinner at the restaurant.
Entre Cielos
Entre Cielos is another popular and exclusive wine resort. It is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in Mendoza.
Guests can explore its charms and feel free amongst its natural splendour and its modern mix of solitude and sophistication. From spontaneous wine tastings to special spa opportunities, every stay in this hotel is unique and distinctive. It is also home to Latin America’s first and only authentic hamam, their modern boutique resort, which embraces the centuries-old Turkish traditions of wellness.
This uncrowded oasis spanning 20 acres in the Mendoza countryside is only 20 minutes away from the city of Mendoza.
Casa Naoki
Casa Naoki is the exclusive Dartley Family Wines guest house, located in the area of “Yeso” in Luján de Cuyo. It is surrounded by an outstanding natural environment next to the vineyards and overseeing the mountains, in a perfect balance with the native flora and integrating its vineyards into the space.
It allows you to live an intimate and memorable experience in comfortable luxury, along with the most impressive view of the Andes Mountains.
Best value for money accommodations in Mendoza
Some more affordable accommodations are the following, which are great value for money. Some of them with swimming pools and even a winery. Take your time to do your research and be clear about what you expect from them. Bear in mind that you would probably go out for tastings or tours most of the day, so you can meticulously select the type of place you want to stay each of your days.
You should also try to decide if you want to stay near the city of Mendoza, where the area of Lujan de Cuyo is, or further south in Valle de Uco, where most of the biggest wineries are located.
Some recommended options in Valle De Uco, which is an hour by car from Mendoza, are the following:
- Tupungato Divino
- Caye
- Ayres de Uco
- Caminos de Uco
- Finca la Puebla
- Auberge du vin
- Cabañas el Remanso
- Postales Hotel Boutique
On the other hand, some other great alternatives in the area of Lujan de Cuyo (or Chacras de Coria) or even in Mendoza city are the following:
Travel tips and recommendations
- To know the best wineries, visit “Best wineries to visit in Mendoza for tasting and food“.
- If you like adventure, visit “Rafting on Mendoza River, Potrerillos“.
- For a good selection of value Malbec wine, visit “Best value Malbec wines from Argentina“.
- To know the best Argentine food, visit “Top 10 foods you MUST try in Argentina“.
- If you go to Buenos Aires, check our post “Best cool and quirky restaurants in Buenos Aires“.
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