Boutique Hotel la Cantera

Pousada muito boa, relativamente bem localizada 1,2 km da Av Libertador onde tudo acontece. Oferecem serviço de transfer para o centro por 2000 pesos por viajem.

I cannot believe this hotel has great reviews. This was the worst experience ever. Unfortunately, we needed to find a room last minute and made the mistake to pick La Cantera based on the great reviews. To start with, the location is pretty bad. The hotel is up on a hill, surrounded by commercial warehouses. It’s only 6 blocks to downtown, but it’s not a nice walk and the hill is very steep. The description of the services stated a free shuttle to downtown. The shuttle is not free. It’s just 300 pesos, but still not free. Our room was not on the main building. We had a view on a back alley with pretty ugly houses. The room had a balcony, but there was no point going outside. Overall the hotel is worse than a Motel 6. But the worst part of the stay was the staff, especially the woman managing the front desk. She were just plain rude. Everything we asked for, was met with a “NO”. She did absolutely nothing to improve the experience. Do yourself a favor and stay at la Posada Los Alamos, which we discovered by chance walking around in downtown. It is lovely, just a block from main street downtown where all the great restaurants are, same price.

What you see in Instagram or on TripAdvisor or webpage is nothing similar to the truth. The is nothing “Boutique” of this hotel. It must have been but decades ago! No AC and heating system was leaking. Mattresses are worn, rooms and bathrooms are outdated, furniture worn and torn l, WC seat broken, entry lights not working (request to fix but wasn’t)). Bathtub was mini and one good enough for a bathe a baby! TV doesn’t work (fussy all channels) Breakfast was served until 10 , everyday we were called to our rooms telling us that we had only 20 min to have breakfast because it was 10 sharp! Transfers to downtown offered from 7-11pm not true!!! We have ordered a transfer at 22:39hs and the answer was the chofer went home and there was no transfer until the next day. Lack of service, friendliness and empathy was throughout the staff. Would never stay again at this place.

Front desk staff was rude. We checked out at 9am and I ask them for a key card so I can keep as souvenir. They gave me and we left to return later to collect our luggage. We came back at 2pm to collect our luggage, out of curiosity, we wanted to take some pictures of the room and tried the key card and it was still able to access the room door. They do not change the code for the room. Which means to say, there was no security to your belongings in the room.

Hotel rooms in a forest setting, rooms were accessible via wooden walkways. Comfortable room with small patio area at back with table and chairs. An opportunity to see some wildlife. Sadly no other trail areas around the hotel to view nature. Pool and bar, meals adequate.

We stayed at the Boutique Hotel La Cantera in El Calafate for 3-nights in mid-Oct, two nights while visiting the Perito Morena Glacier and one night after returning from a visit to Ushuaia and before taking the bus to Chile ($120 US/night). The hotel is on a hill 5-blocks above main street (with all of the restaurants, shops), so a car is an asset; however, for those without, they offer an evening shuttle with a local taxi for less than $1. Plenty of free parking is available. The hotel is in two buildings, each on its own terrace. Our superior doubles were on the upper terrace in the building with reception and the restaurant. Both were spacious, although one had a large entry area and more plush furnishings. There was a king bed with side tables, an open cabinet for clothes, safe, mini-refrigerator, TV, and two chairs and a table by the window with a view of the lake over the front building. It was fronted by a terrace with some lawn furniture that was accessible by going through the lobby or simply stepping out over the low-silled window. We didn't use it, though, because of the howling, cold wind at this time of year. The room was heated by a sub-floor system with no controller in the room; we found it too warm, so had to prop the window open at night. Breakfast was good, with a choice of eggs, fresh-squeezed orange juice, mimosas, and the regular ham, cheese, and baked items. The staff were friendly and helpful. They stored a bag for us while we were on our excursion to Ushuaia, and were helpful in arranging a taxi to get us to our 8 am bus to Chile. A pleasant and comfortable boutique hotel.

This hotel is amazing - with underfloor heating and such a casual atmosphere I felt I could lounge around in my slippers. The staff can not do enough to make your stay amazing. Now for the breakfast - possibly the best breakfast in 6 months of travelling South America, even a little bubbly to start the day. The reception staff organised everything for us even our tours, taxi's, shuttles and more.

A bit quirky is possibly the best description. The hotel is 3* with few amenities and a bit run down, but we actually enjoyed staying there. Some of the stranger things encountered included only two people able to order an evening meal at a time and there is about a one hour wait between meals. That said the food was in fact very good, but maybe we were just very hungry. Restaurants in Calafate are about 20 mins walk and there are several very good ones to choose from. Better to take a taxi though as the pavement only goes halfway!

The hotel room was clean and the staff friendly and accommodating. The room had a safe and the beds were comfortable. The shower water pressure was good and the temperature remained stable while showering. The breakfast was adequate but good but not a lot of choices. The wifi worked well.