Radisson Blu Bariloche

The location is quiet, and the new facilities and views are lovely, but for the price we wish we’d stayed elsewhere. We were there four nights, and two breakfasts were chaotic: it took over half an hour to get two poached eggs. The staff were friendly, though they seemed understaffed. Room service was forgotten, arrived after more than 1.5 hours, and took calls with three different people to sort out. The 15% discount didn’t feel like enough. On the balcony, the glass dividers between our room and the next one were broken, so there was no privacy. We also found bird droppings around the pool and in it, which made it feel unhygienic, even though the pool itself is nice and extends outdoors. Sauna and steam room sessions have to be booked, but when we arrived they hadn’t been switched on and were cold. The same thing happened with the jacuzzi on another occasion. It would be better if booking weren’t required, since the rooms are large enough for more people. We were excited to stay, and these problems seem fixable, so I hope they get sorted.

We’d happily book this hotel again if we return to Bariloche. It’s stylish and very comfortable, with reasonable prices, and the city center is a 15-20 minute walk away; there’s also a bus stop right outside. The hotel is new, the service was impeccable, and the lake view is magnificent. Norma and Danisa gave us an exceptional massage. They were attentive and clearly very skilled, and made the stay memorable.

Megan at the front desk made a stressful arrival much easier. My 9-year-old daughter suddenly had hives that morning and was very uncomfortable, but since it was Christmas Day, all the pharmacies we tried on Mitre Street were closed. Megan found one that was open, arranged a taxi, and explained the situation to the driver in Spanish. We got the medicine quickly and my daughter felt better soon after. We’re very grateful for her kindness and efficiency. We also had dinner at the hotel restaurant on December 26, and the food was excellent, especially the lamb, goulash, and trout. We stayed three nights starting December 25, and the service and dining both exceeded our expectations. We’d gladly return and recommend it to anyone visiting Bariloche.

The room had plenty of space, though the toilet area was cramped. Our bed was a much bigger problem: its base was broken and the mattress sagged in the middle. We called reception four times before anyone came to replace it. During the change, the team put the bedding on the floor despite there being chairs in the room, then put it back on the bed. They first gave us a queen mattress on a king base, and then left us with the queen, so the bed stayed uncomfortable. We also waited 45 minutes for sandwiches by the pool before asking, only to be told the order had been completely forgotten. The sauna needs a reservation but was cold when we arrived, and other people joined us without one, so the system didn’t seem to work well. There were bird droppings around the pool, though they clean them from time to time. Sunbeds are very limited, and in the afternoon the sun is mostly in the garden, where there are no chairs or loungers. Overall, it wasn’t a great stay, and for the price and quality we would have chosen somewhere else.