Roberto L’hopital | English - A politically incorrect blog, and some useful tips for the bon-vivánt

The boutique hotel El Alquimista is a great place to chill out and get away from the city.  Located at the north-west end of the Zipolite beach, it is definitely the best hotel in the area.  Unlike the others in the area, it has a cool natural/loft design, it is clean, and it is very comfortable.  It has bungalows on the beach, and a group of newer rooms (loft style) on the back.  The latter have amazing ocean views from their private terraces.  Great place to have a drink and relax in your hammock while watching the Pacific.

The atmosphere is very relaxed: businessmen, locals, families, expats, hippies, gay couples and nudists.

The restaurant is excellent, I recommend the wood-oven pizzas (dinner only), the freshly baked bread, the Ajilllo shrimps and the octopus.

Reservations can be made at +52 (01) 958 587 8961 or el-alquimista@zipolite.com

Lodging in Patagonia has become very expensive lately, and with the pretty recent tourist boom in Argentina, some prices have gone crazy.  There are real scams in Bariloche, especially those 80s hotels now disguised as “trendy” places.

We were lucky to find Cabañas El Labrador, a charming, cozy, and family-run place by the lake Moreno.  They have 4 cabanas (2 bedrooms), fully furnished, with an amazing view to the lake. You can relax by the fireplace in the living room and enjoy a view to the best of Patagonia through the big crystal windows overseeing the lake.

The location is perfect, just 13km from the city center (to hide away from the noisy

high school students), and on the way to the Catedral sky resort.

The tariffs (in the range of US$ 100-170) include medialunas (croissants), that the owners leave for you punctually at 8am.

If you like dogs, this place has a big plus…

You can reach Cabañas El Labrador at

Mail: labrador1@ciudad.com.ar

Site: www.cabanasellabrador.com.ar

Phone: +54 (0) 2944 4 62643(skip the 0 if calling from outside Argentina)

Roberto L´hopital