Hampton by Hilton Bariloche

We had to change rooms because the AC didn't work. The shower leaked onto the floor, and the liquid soap and conditioner bottles didn't work. It's an overhead shower in a tiny cubicle, with no shower caps, so you're washing your hair whether you want to or not. Breakfast was typical for the area, but unlike most hotels we'd visited, they don't make eggs to order. Instead there's a big lump of yellow stuff they reckon is scrambled eggs. Bread options were minimal, just sliced white or brown. The fruit salad was mostly cubed apple, skin on where possible. Other hotels serving bacon tend to give you rashers. Here it was more like small, undercooked lardon strips. There were plenty of cakes to choose from, so I shouldn't complain unless I'm diabetic. The coffee was okay, at least. Oh, and onsite parking costs extra. Yay. I'll be avoiding this brand of mediocrity in future.

Right in the center of Bariloche, with all the attractions and facilities within walking distance. The rooms were clean and well maintained, breakfast was nice, and the hotel staff were really kind and helpful. If you're driving, they have an underground parking arrangement. Highly recommend it.

We ended up eating dinner elsewhere because we wanted to feel welcomed and respected. The front desk staff were polite and cordial, and our well-traveled dog was treated like a princess. Food and drink service was mixed: Paulo was very hospitable, but the women we encountered at breakfast seemed distant, almost as if we weren't welcome.

Breakfast was the standout for me: green juice, hot scrambled eggs, bacon, grilled vegetables, regular and decaf coffee, and proper mugs. Even some of the boutique and resort hotels on our three-week trip didn't offer that. Little practical touches like tissues and washcloths in the room were there too. At higher-end places elsewhere, it sometimes felt like corners were being cut, but here someone seemed to think through the stay from a guest's point of view. The hotel chain convenience I know from the US was exceeded by this place. The location and view were lovely, with shops and restaurants a short walk away. Currency exchange was five minutes on foot, and the Tourist Office with city maps was a couple of blocks away. We arrived April 28 and left May 2, my husband, a friend, and I in two rooms. We had planned three nights, but I didn't want to go, so we stayed four. I'd happily stay longer if I came back to Bariloche. The welcome text before arrival, check-in, breakfasts, special requests, lunches, snacks, happy hours, dinners, laundry, follow-up messages to check we had what we needed, and check-out were all handled so well. It was a really relaxing stay. Oriana, Rocío, and Lautaro at reception were professional and welcoming every single day, and made us feel like VIPs. Tamara and the rest of the restaurant team were great too, and the food was delicious. This became my favorite hotel in Patagonia, even compared with the fancy places we stayed during the trip.