Checked accomodations

Patagonia offers a range of accommodation options, from sleeping in cars and campsites to luxurious hotels with stunning mountain views. Given the short duration of our trip, we chose to stay in hotels. Although we had initially planned to camp in Torres del Paine, we ultimately decided against it.

We met Marta and Krzysiek from @wspolniepoznane in El Chaltén, and they shared their experiences with us. They mentioned that Argentina is much better equipped with campsites and camping-related infrastructure than Chile. Having travelled for 10 months in South America at the time of writing this e-book, they utilized various modes of transport, including buses, hitchhiking, and a car they purchased. They camped in numerous locations and provided us with valuable insights. If you haven't already, we highly recommend following Marta and Krzysiek for their fantastic stories from South America!

Below, we outline the accommodations we stayed in. Some were very budget-friendly, while others were slightly more expensive. Not all these places are recommended, so please read carefully to determine which options are worth considering and which ones to avoid.

• El Chaltén – Hosteria Fitz Roy

During our stay in El Chaltén, we enjoyed Hostel Fitz Roy. It’s a charming, small hotel that offers delicious breakfasts and attentive staff—one lady even prepared breakfast and coffee for us at 3 a.m.! The hostel provides Wi-Fi and a hairdryer at the reception. The only downside we encountered was the noise. The walls are quite thin, making it possible to hear people walking and laughing in the corridors. However, it’s worth mentioning that we were quite exhausted from our travels (this was our first night after arriving from Europe) and went to bed around 9 p.m., much earlier than the other guests. By the middle of the night, it became quiet, but the noise resumed around 6 a.m. 

Despite the noise issue, we highly recommend Hostería Fitz Roy!

• El Calafate – Hosteria Posta Sur

A standard hotel in Argentina—we’d say nothing special. The breakfasts were satisfactory, and the hotel had a large parking area. Its proximity to the city was a bonus, as most locations were within walking distance. However, what stands out in my memory about this hotel are the interruptions in the water and power supply. Although these issues weren't their fault, it was still challenging when, during my hair wash, the water suddenly stopped, and the lights went out. This situation occurred again the following day during breakfast. Since the sun rises a bit later in Patagonia (around 8 a.m.), we had to eat in semi-darkness, and there was no way to make toast, which was the only bread option available.

• Puerto Natales – Hotel Milodon

Unfortunately, our stay at Hotel Milodon was the worst accommodation experience of our entire trip, lasting four nights. This hotel has firmly landed on our blacklist. Upon entering the room, we quickly thought about booking a different place but ultimately decided to save money. It would be just a place to sleep since we planned to spend most of our days in Torres del Paine National Park.

Let’s start with the positives, though there aren’t many. The owners were incredibly friendly, and even though they spoke very little English, they did their best to communicate. Additionally, compared to other options, the hotel wasn’t expensive. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end.

Now, for what we didn’t like. First and foremost, don’t be fooled—the rooms do not look like they do in the photos. They were small, dark, and, sadly, quite dirty. My sheet was stained with blood, so we ended up sleeping in our sleeping bags to avoid lying on the bedding. On the first day, we returned to find our sleeping bags lying on the floor while the beds had been made. Those who know me (Natalia) understand how upset I can get about things like that! The next day, I specifically requested that our room not be cleaned. The breakfast provided was subpar, particularly the takeaway option prepared for our park visit. Additionally, no parking was available, forcing us to park on the street, where free spaces were not always guaranteed. In summary, we strongly do not recommend this place, primarily because of the dirtiness in the rooms, as the other issues could be managed.

• Puerto Natales – Natalino Hotel Patagonia

The second time we visited Puerto Natales, our choice of hotel was much better! The hotel was clean and quiet, and the staff were extremely friendly and spoke English. The highlight of our stay was definitely the breakfasts! The selection was incredible—crispy sandwiches, oatmeal with fresh fruits and nuts, delicious coffee or hot chocolate, croissants, juices, and a wide variety of cold cuts and cheeses. We honestly didn’t expect such excellent breakfasts!

The hotel also features a small pool, ideal for unwinding after a long day in the mountains. On less favourable weather days, guests can take advantage of a small gym. Additionally, the hotel provides private parking, eliminating any worries about your vehicle.

• Park Torres del Paine - Hosteria Pehoe

Staying inside Torres del Paine National Park is certainly an exciting option, although it can be quite expensive. If you're visiting during the off-peak season, it's a good idea to check the hotel prices. While we've already highlighted the stunning views in the Torres del Paine section, let's focus on the hotel itself.

This hotel primarily charges for its location and views rather than luxury accommodations. Although it is an older property, it is well-maintained. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and guests can enjoy lunch and dinner at the on-site restaurant, which offers breathtaking views of the Torres del Paine massif. Without a doubt, it was the most beautiful place we’ve ever had breakfast! The hotel now offers Starlink, which provides relatively fast internet. However, there is a catch—the Wi-Fi does not reach the guest rooms. If you want to connect, you’ll need to go near the reception area. Additionally, hot water is available only from 6 PM to 10 AM, so be sure to plan your showers for the evening or morning.

There is also an option to stay at a campground within the park. If that interests you, consider checking out Camping Lago Pehoe.

• Punta Arenas – Almasur Punta Arenas

The hotel is well-maintained and offers a pleasant atmosphere, though it tends to be on the pricier side. After our experiences in Puerto Natales, we were looking for a place to relax, and this hotel fit the bill. We have no complaints about our stay, except for the lack of breakfast options. On the positive side, the gym and sauna were excellent facilities that helped pass the time during our visit to Punta Arenas. Despite the cost, we would recommend this hotel.

• Tolhuin - Hosteria Kaiken 

We accidentally discovered a hotel on our way to Ushuaia, and it ended up being a lifesaver for us. Though we hadn't planned to stay there, we highly recommend it. The hotel offers stunning views of the lake and mountains, delicious breakfasts, free parking, and the convenience of late check-in until 12:30 AM. 😊

• Ushuaia – Cass de Invitados con Parrilla y horno a lena

In Ushuaia, we booked our stay through Airbnb. The apartment we found was cosy and came with a kitchenette, which allowed us to prepare our meals and do some hand laundry. It is located within a house where the owner lives upstairs, but the entrance to the apartment is separate and accessible from the street. This setup is more suitable for travellers with a vehicle, as the apartment is quite far from the centre of Ushuaia if you plan to walk. However, this distance has its advantages—nights were very quiet and peaceful.

• Rio Gallegos – Hotel Patagonia

This was our stopover on the way from Ushuaia to El Calafate. Although it’s possible to drive the entire route in one go if you're short on time, we decided to take a break, especially since we planned to see penguins earlier that day. The hotel was theoretically rated as a 4-star establishment but felt quite old. We were assigned a room next to the service elevator, which was very noisy until late at night. I reported this issue to the reception, but no action was taken. The room and breakfast were decent, so I have no significant complaints about those. However, the parking situation was problematic. Although the hotel advertises parking on Booking.com, it only has three available parking spaces, which means you must be very lucky to secure one. As a result, you'll likely have to park on the street, where finding nearby spots can be quite challenging.

• Buenos Aires – Palacio Paz Boutique Hotel

Hotel prices in Buenos Aires are significantly lower than in Patagonia. There is a wide range of options available, and you can find excellent accommodations in the city centre for a reasonable price. We stayed at the Palacio Paz Boutique Hotel for three nights and were very satisfied with our experience. The hotel was clean and tidy, the breakfast was good, and many attractions were within walking distance. Additionally, there was a lovely park nearby where we could enjoy a cup of coffee.