Arelauquen Lodge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

“Beautiful view”

Best hotel view we’ve had in Argentina ! Beautiful view over the golf course and to the mountains. Very nice room, spacious with plenty of storage and a kitchen area. Breakfast is ok - continental style . Would prefer MTO eggs but this style typical for hotels in Argentina. Outside of town so you’l… more

Best hotel view we’ve had in Argentina ! Beautiful view over the golf course and to the mountains. Very nice room, spacious with plenty of storage and a kitchen area. Breakfast is ok - continental style . Would prefer MTO eggs but this style typical for hotels in Argentina. Outside of town so you’ll need driver or taxi to go into town

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“Lost potential, mostly just a place to spend the night”

Arelauquen Lodge is located within a private country club where many Argentinians own beautiful homes, giving the area an air of exclusivity. However, while the surroundings feel premium, the hotel itself does not deliver a 5-star experience (despite claims). At best, it’s a functional 4-star stay,… more

Arelauquen Lodge is located within a private country club where many Argentinians own beautiful homes, giving the area an air of exclusivity. However, while the surroundings feel premium, the hotel itself does not deliver a 5-star experience (despite claims). At best, it’s a functional 4-star stay, lacking a clear vision for guest experience or connection with the surrounding nature. The Good - *Staff:* The team is kind and eager to help. With better management and direction, they could excel, but currently, they’re limited by the hotel’s shortcomings. - *Room:* The room meets Marriott standards (e.g. bedding, functional everything), and the room was generally comfortable. However, the kitchenette felt unnecessary, the furniture was dated, and small details like crooked lamp shades gave the room a neglected, bygone feel. - *View:* The view from the lobby is lovely, giving a good glimpse of Bariloche’s beauty. It isn't exceptional compared to other resorts we visited in the area, but it was very nice nevertheless. - *Food:* Dinner at the restaurant was delicious, albeit overpriced (but that is as expected at a hotel). The waitstaff was attentive and charming, adding warmth to an otherwise uninspiring stay. Missed Opportunities - *Vibe & Music:* The atmosphere was confusing. Instead of rustic or relaxing music that matched the lodge’s natural surroundings, the hotel played electronic dance music—even at breakfast—making the space feel out of sync with its environment. Suitable and equally low-effort alternatives could've been instrumental covers, standard piano/elevator music from the 90s, or a lo-fi playlist from Spotify... Anything but EDM with your eggs at 7am. - *Bonvoy Recognition:* I know Bonvoy Gold is not a big deal, but receiving the worst room in the hotel (ground-floor "mountain view" facing a parking lot, next to unpleasant smelling lobby bathrooms) was disappointing. With the curtains drawn for privacy, the room was dark and uninviting. I politely requested a higher-floor room, but no one followed up (the hotel was mostly empty, so definitely other rooms in the category available). - *Operations & Housekeeping:* Several operational details fell through. For instance, housekeeping didn’t service our room despite leaving the "make up room" sign out all morning (we left at 9am, came back at 2pm to an unmade room; ironically, the only staff member I consistently saw was someone mopping the lobby floor). - *A Lack of Guest Experience:* The lodge seems to cater primarily to golfers looking for someplace functional to spend the night, leaving other guests with little to do. Activities were not suggested at check-in, and staff seemed to not have much to offer when inquired about things to do (I asked a few different staff members at the front desk but to no avail). It seems like the Arelauquen club may have offered activities for guests to access (based on other reviews) but this was not evident while we were staying there. - *Limited Nature Access:* Given that Bariloche is renowned for its natural beauty, it was frustrating to feel confined to the hotel grounds. There were no walking paths, and venturing out meant either dodging golf balls or walking along a dull gravel road. The outdoor firepit was never lit, and the indoor fireplace remained unused, leaving the spaces cold and empty. - *Inconsistent Ambience:* The lodge felt eerily quiet and lifeless, despite the strange juxtaposition of upbeat music. In comparison, other properties we visited, like the lively Llao Llao Resort and even a small remote glamping site, maintained a bustling energy through thoughtful guest programming. Some simple actions, like lighting the lobby fireplace or the outdoor bonfire could have invited guests to spend time at the resort outside their (small) rooms. Instead, we didn't look forward to returning to our hotel and tried to avoid it at all costs during our short trip. - *Check-in & Arrival:* The experience started off on the wrong foot. At the country club entrance, guards didn't really acknowledge that there would be any hotel guests., which made check-in awkward. We had to exit the car for facial recognition photos (while the guards had our passports) —an unsettling process that could have been better communicated or handled in advance by the hotel (especially since we didn't speak any Spanish to communicate effectively with the guard). *Final Thoughts * Arelauquen Lodge feels like a missed opportunity. With more thoughtful management, attention to detail, and a focus on creating meaningful guest experiences, this could be a wonderful place to stay. However, in its current state, it offers little beyond a place to sleep. Prospective guests should be aware that this property is better suited for golf enthusiasts seeking basic accommodation rather than travellers looking for an immersive or memorable experience in Bariloche.

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