Hotel Puerto Valle

Northern Argentina

Rating: Mid-range

highlights

Explore the waterways by boat and kayak
See monkeys, caiman, capybara and swamp deer
Join a guide for a forest bird-spotting walk
Tasty cuisine using produce from the organic garden
Go horse riding along the bank of the Parana Rver
Cosy accommodation all with private terraces

Hotel Puerto Valle overview

Hotel Puerto Valle is your home from home in the Inera Wetlands. It's a restored 19th century estancia surrounded by 14 hectares of landscaped grounds by the Parana River where you mix activity and relaxation.

There are 13 guest rooms, some in the original farmhouse and others along the riverbank. All provide creature comforts such as heating and air conditioning, free wifi, indoor sitting area, hot drinks facilities, en-suite bathroom and a terrace. Dressing gowns and slippers help you feel right at home. There's a larger room with accommodation over two floors, ideal for families.

With the Ibera Wetlands on your doorstep you are perfectly placed for exploring. For an introduction to the flora and fauna you can join a guide on a short walk through the forest in the grounds. As well as noting the different plants and trees you should see howler monkeys and capybara. The Parana River motorboat trip is another must. It leaves from the hotel's private pier and takes you into a forested area where you can expect to find monkeys and birds galore. Kayaking is another great way to enjoy being on the river. By land you can explore on horseback with a river along the river. Excursions further afield can be arranged too.

Food is an important aspect of your stay and tasty meals are created using local produce, much of it from the hotel's organic garden which you are welcome to visit. The restaurant is supplemented by an open air barbecue and quincho, an al fresco dining area. The drawing room and library provide space in which to unwind. The swimming pool and sunbathing deck are popular on warm days, while the palapa, a shaded sitting area with comfy chairs, is ideal for those seeking shelter from the sun.

details

Open: Hotel Puerto Valle is open all year.

Location: The hotel is located in 14 hectares of landscaped grounds in Ibera National Park in the Wetlands region of northeast Argentina. It is the sole luxury lodge in the Ibera Wetlands. Posadas airport is 55kms away, about an hours' drive, and Iguazu is about a four hour drive away (355kms).

Rooms: There are 13 rooms made up of five casco rooms and eight deluxe rooms, all with views of the Parana River. Casco rooms are in the original house and have colonial-style decor with dark wood and beamed ceilings. Four of them sleep two people and are at least 35sqm in area with a king size bed and sitting area that can take an extra bed if needed. They have air conditioning and heating, a kettle for making hot drinks, phone, free wifi, a safe, an en-suite bathroom with his and hers basins, bathrobes and slippers and a terrace. The fifth casco room has two floors and serves as family accommodation. The master bedroom is on the ground floor along with a bathroom and small living room. Upstairs there's a larger lounge that can take two beds and a cot. It has both a balcony and a terrace and the same facilities as the other casco rooms. The deluxe rooms are a newer addition and feature pine wood. Each occupies 60sqm and has a sitting area with picture windows, a terrace, bedroom, dressing room and large bathroom with underfloor heating. They have the same facilities as the casco rooms.

Activities: Walking including a woodland trail, guided hiking, horse riding and kayaking, which are all great ways to spot wildlife as well as enjoy some exercise. Staff can organise a number of excursions including a guided riverside walking trail, kayaking and boat rides on the Parana River, horse riding, an excursion to Laguna Valle including a 4x4 transfer and speedboat tour of the waterways, a photographic safari in Ibera National Park and a tour of the grounds taking in the tree nursery and the organic garden. Wildlife often seen includes monkeys, caiman, capybara, marsh deer, woodpeckers and parakeets. At the hotel you can take part in a yoga session, enjoy a massage and relax by the pool.

Facilities: The hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor barbecue (see below), a lounge with a selection of reading material and a TV, and a bar. There is an outdoor swimming pool in the grounds, a deck with loungers and parasols and a palapa (large shaded, open-sided seating area). The hotel has its own jetty. There is a laundry service. Reception is staffed round the clock.

Dining: The hotel serves a continental breakfast and has set menus for lunch and dinner using ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden, complimented by Argentinian wine. Afternoon tea includes homemade cakes and pastries. Meals can be served outdoors as well as in the restaurant. The hotel offers room service.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome, though there are no specific facilities for children.

Health: This is not a malarial area.

Communication: There is free wifi internet access throughout the property.