Las Balsas: Rustic Luxury in Patagonia’s Lake District

If you search for Patagonia luxury travel you’ll quickly discover that even the poshest of Patagonia luxury lodges are still quite rugged.

Sure, many a Patagonia luxury hotel is beyond five stars in comfort but to get there you’ll need to rattle along rocky unpaved roads and spend your days far from the comforts of a supermarket or pharmacy.

It’s for the intrepid luxury traveler.

Activities, too, are often for the bold, focusing on fly fishing in far flung rivers, full day hikes and hours on horseback.

And while all of that is the recipe for an adventure, what about when you simply want to disconnect?

To be spoiled, and still experience all the beauty that Patagonia has to offer?

Lucky for me, I was able to find out, twice.

I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to Villa La Angostura to stay at Las Balsas, a Relais & Châteaux property in Argentina’s lake district twice, and it’s an invitation I’ll never say no to.

Las Balsas: Luxury Patagonia Travel

We first visited Las Balsas in 2023 and were more than happy to return to re-live the experience this year.

If you’re familiar with Relais & Châteaux, then you don’t need to read any further.

You know what awaits you.

My first big job was actually at a Relais & Châteaux property in Texas so I was more than excited to experience it from the other side. I know how much attention and care goes into the service at these properties.

In June of 2025 they entered the winter season with a brand new remodel – launching ten private villas and a complete re-design of their shared spaces like the living room, lobby, library, and dining areas.

On our first stay we spent four nights in a lake view suite in the main house. This year we were able to try out one of their new villas.

30 years ago Las Balsas was the first Relais & Châteaux in Latin America and today it has only improved upon itself.

Relais & Châteaux is an association of individually owned luxury properties from around the world.

It’s a great way to experience luxury travel while still remaining authentic to the area you’re visiting.

We took it fairly easy on both trips but this trip in particular we were “lazier” than normal.

My normal mode of travel is to never stop moving and do all of the things. But for these three days we spent 2 of them on the property. Our children swam in the pool and we relaxed in the room (because look at it, why would you leave?).

We actually allowed ourselves to relax.

Our Experience at Las Balsas

Las Balsas is located on the shores of a quiet bay in a branch of Lago Nahuel Huapi.

We showed up tired and in dirty trekking clothes after three days in San Martin de los Andes, feeling very out of place in such a beautiful lobby. But what can you do, luxury in Patagonia is still in Patagonia. It still means mountains and hiking for many travelers.

We sipped on our welcome gin tonic and settled in. And settling in is the perfect choice of words because we did not leave Las Balsas for next 36 hours.

On our previous trip we stayed in a suite in main house that felt like our own mountain cabin. This trip we were able to try out the new modern lake view villas.

Floor to ceiling windows and a large deck gave us an unbeatable view. After three days in the mountains, we were ready for a day of nothing. We spent it in the room, in the spa, or in the dining room.

The kids were big fans of the heated indoor/outdoor pool, a sauna, a yoga deck, a hot tub, and a gym along with spa services like facials and massages.

Dining at Las Balsas

The menu in the dining room is elaborate, with the option for dinner to be a 3 course affair.

Our kids were pretty strung out by dinner time and I didn’t want to subject them to the dining room, so we did opt for room service for 2 of our 3 nights.

But I’ll be honest, the kids were only part of that decision. I love room service, always have. Who doesn’t love to have their food brought to them to eat while in a plush robe in a room far more luxurious than their own?

But I admit the dinner we did go down to the dining room for was well worth the effort. The menu features locally sourced ingredients like Patagonian trout, mushrooms, and lamb.

The breakfast menu has an international offering including avocado toast and eggs benedict, accompanied with a medialuna filled bread basket and Patagonian jams.

And if you’d prefer to go out to dinner, Las Balsas is less than ten minutes from downtown and other Villa La Angostura dining options – like Waldhaus Cocina del Bosque.

Rustic Patagonia Luxury at Las Balsas

If you’re looking for a luxury experience in Patagonia, Las Balsas is the perfect choice.

Being so centrally located just outside of downtown Villa La Angostura it makes for a great home base. Las Balsas is only a ten minute drive to Cerro Bayo to ski in winter, to hike or on any excursions.

Despite having all of that at your fingertips, you do feel tucked away from it all on this quiet bay. It feels miles from town. For the days you choose to spend on property you can completely disconnect.

Click here to reserve your room on booking or on their official website.

Do you need a rental car? Honestly, it helps. You’ll be flying into Bariloche so rent one from the airport, check rates here. If you want to explore the area then you’ll be far more comfortable with your own car. The price of taxis adds up quickly and you do have to call for one and wait around twenty minutes for one to arrive each time.

But if you prefer to go on guided excursions and disconnect, then you will be fine without a car.