Arelauquen Lodge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

“A Truly Wonderful Stay!!!”

My husband and I stayed here for one week and it was an absolute dream. The stunning views speak for themselves but the staff was divine and truly made this experience so personal for us. Sabrina, Alan, Damien, Denis and Tomas were all so kind and welcoming. They gave us wonderful recommendations f… more

My husband and I stayed here for one week and it was an absolute dream. The stunning views speak for themselves but the staff was divine and truly made this experience so personal for us. Sabrina, Alan, Damien, Denis and Tomas were all so kind and welcoming. They gave us wonderful recommendations for places to eat in town and things to do. The food was fantastic. The room was clean and comfortable. Getting to town takes about 20 minutes and you can ask for a taxi pickup from the lodge and then grab a taxi or Uber back. If you are ever in Bariloche, do not miss the chance to stay here!!!

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“Wow! Fantastic Stay! Top 5 of the thousand+ hotels I've stayed in.”

I typically spend a hundred nights per year in a hotel - easily over a thousand in the last 20 years and remember maybe 10 of them. This place is in the top 5. Although a Marriott property, the lodge is small - about 20 rooms I guess. It's in a gated community with a golf course and very expensive … more

I typically spend a hundred nights per year in a hotel - easily over a thousand in the last 20 years and remember maybe 10 of them. This place is in the top 5. Although a Marriott property, the lodge is small - about 20 rooms I guess. It's in a gated community with a golf course and very expensive homes. The security gate takes some time the first time you go through, but they give you a code to use after that. The scenery can only be described as stunning. The pictures don't do it justice. You'll find yourself staring out the window without realizing it. I did a Grand View room which is on the top floor with views in three directions. It had a kitchenette, dining table for three, a king bed, two arm chairs with a coffee table and a spacious bathroom. Incredible water pressure. Even with all of that, the staff is really the best part of the hotel. Marianna, Bruno, Rosario and Denis were very friendly and very invested in making sure we had a great time both in the property and exploring the area. Although the hotel is in a very posh setting, they make it casual and comfortable. Other reviews mention the staff, but they truly are the best. Granted the inflation in Argentina is a bit crazy, but we felt it was the best value of any hotel we have ever stayed in when we got our bill. Personally, I would never consider staying anywhere else in Bariloche.

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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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