Nestled between the deep blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno, the Llao Llao Hotel & Resort is more than a Patagonian luxury lodge—it is a near-century-old landmark shaped by state ambition, a devastating fire, and a careful rebirth. This guide draws on the hotel’s official archives, independent travel publishers, and thousands of guest reviews to separate history from hype, and to help you decide whether this remote icon is right for your next trip.

Last checked: 2026-05-29

Location: San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina · Property type: Resort, Golf & Spa · Accommodation: Studios and Suites · Golf: 18-hole course · Pool: Heated indoor/outdoor vanishing edge · Dining: International restaurant, La Patagonia

How we researched this guide

Last checked: 2026-05-29.

Sources reviewed: Official hotel website (Llao Llao official history), MICHELIN Guide, Luxury Latin America, Timbuktu Travel, Atlas Obscura, Audley Travel, Booking.com guest reviews, Hotels.com, and TripAdvisor. Data covers multiple years of guest feedback.

This review is based entirely on published materials; no on-site visit, no staff interviews, and no independent price verification were conducted.

Snapshot: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort

1 A complicated history
  • First opened 9 January 1938, destroyed by fire 26 October 1939, rebuilt and reopened 15 December 1940 (Llao Llao official history)
2 Canadian‑lodge architecture
  • Designed by Alejandro Bustillo in the style of Canada’s grand mountain lodges, with exposed cypress timbers, stone fireplaces, and Norman‑style tile roofs (MICHELIN Guide)
3 Peninsula location
  • Set on a peninsula between Lake Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno, within Nahuel Huapi National Park, 25 km from San Carlos de Bariloche (MICHELIN Guide)
4 All‑season playground
  • On‑site 18‑hole golf course, heated indoor‑outdoor vanishing‑edge infinity pool with Mount Tronador views, and a full‑service spa (Llao Llao official site)
Key facts at a glance
AttributeDetails
LocationSan Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
Property typeResort, Golf & Spa
AccommodationStudios and Suites (approx. 205 rooms across two wings)
Golf18‑hole course
PoolHeated indoor/outdoor vanishing edge
DiningInternational restaurant, La Patagonia

Specifications: Llao Llao Hotel & Resort

SpecificationDetails
Year opened (original)1938 (9 January) – official site
ArchitectAlejandro Bustillo – MICHELIN Guide
Total rooms / suites~205 (162 rooms, 11 studios, 12 suites in Bustillo Wing; 43 deluxe studios/suites in Lago Moreno Wing) – Luxury Latin America
Golf course18‑hole on‑site – official site
PoolHeated indoor/outdoor vanishing edge with mountain views – Timbuktu Travel
MembershipThe Leading Hotels of the World – Timbuktu Travel
Dining outletsInternational fine‑dining restaurant (La Patagonia), plus several casual outlets – official site
Kid‑friendlyNahuelito’s Club supervised children’s programme – Luxury Latin America

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Unbeatable peninsula location between two lakes, with panoramic Andes views from nearly every room.
  • Historic Bustillo Wing offers unique Canadian‑lodge architecture with hand‑crafted woodwork and stone fireplaces.
  • On‑site 18‑hole golf course and a heated indoor‑outdoor vanishing‑edge pool are rare for Patagonia.
  • High guest ratings: 9.0/10 on Booking.com and 9.4/10 on Hotels.com, with consistent praise for ambiance and service.

Cons

  • Published rates range from approximately US$385 to over US$2,200 per night, firmly targeting the luxury segment.
  • Remote location: 30‑minute drive from San Carlos de Bariloche airport; no direct public transport.
  • Some TripAdvisor reviews note that the historic wing’s décor, while authentic, can feel dated compared to the modern Lago Moreno wing.
Tip: For the full historic lodge atmosphere, book a room in the Bustillo Wing. If you prefer contemporary Patagonian style and private terraces facing Mount Tronador, the Lago Moreno Wing (opened 2007) is the better choice.

Best for these travellers

  • Couples – The secluded lakeside setting, spa, and candlelit fine‑dining at La Patagonia make it a natural choice for romantic getaways.
  • Families – The Nahuelito’s Club (supervised activities for children) and the variety of outdoor excursions (easy hikes, lake boating) keep all ages engaged.
  • Golfers – An 18‑hole course directly on the resort grounds means no transfers or tee‑time juggling; the course weaves through native forest with lake views.
  • Luxury travellers – Membership in The Leading Hotels of the World, combined with rates that reach US$2,200+ per night, signals a five‑star standard that attracts an international clientele.

Pricing at Llao Llao Hotel

Room rates at Llao Llao vary significantly by season and category. According to Luxury Latin America, published nightly rates for standard rooms start around US$385 and can exceed US$2,200 for premium suites in high season. The most expensive options are the Master Suites and Royal Suite in the Lago Moreno Wing, which include private terraces and panoramic mountain views. No independent verification of current rates was performed, so travellers should check the official website or a booking platform for real‑time pricing.

Note: The resort is marketed as year‑round: winter (June–August) draws skiers to nearby Cerro Catedral, while summer (December–February) sees peak demand for golf, hiking, and lake activities. Prices typically rise during the Argentine summer and during major holidays.

Location and how to get there

Llao Llao Hotel & Resort sits at Avenida Ezequiel Bustillo Km 25, in San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. The address places it on a narrow peninsula between Lake Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno, entirely within Nahuel Huapi National Park. The closest commercial airport is San Carlos de Bariloche Airport (BRC), approximately 14 km away.

Driving time from the airport to the hotel is roughly 30 minutes via RP82 and Avenida Bustillo. Most guests arrange a private shuttle or rental car; the hotel also offers its own transfer service. Public buses from Bariloche city centre run along the lake road but stop about 1 km from the entrance, making a car the most practical option for multi‑day stays.

Our pick: Who should book Llao Llao?

Llao Llao is best suited to travellers who value historic atmosphere, all‑in‑one luxury amenities, and a dramatic natural setting over nightlife or urban convenience. Couples celebrating a milestone, golf enthusiasts wanting a dedicated course, and families looking for supervised children’s activities will find the resort’s infrastructure aligns with their needs. Budget‑conscious travellers or those who prefer boutique, owner‑run lodges may feel the scale and price point outweigh the intangible magic of the landscape. For anyone who prioritises a unique place‑of‑stay story, the Bustillo Wing’s weathered cypress beams and lake‑view library are hard to beat.

Sample 3‑day itinerary

  • Day 1 – Arrival & resort immersion: Check in, lunch at La Patagonia, afternoon at the infinity pool overlooking Mount Tronador. Evening spa treatment followed by dinner in the historic dining room.
  • Day 2 – Outdoor focus: Morning 18‑hole round on the resort golf course. Afternoon guided hike along the Lake Moreno shoreline (the concierge can arrange a naturalist). Evening sunset cocktail at the terrace bar.
  • Day 3 – Water & wildlife: Full‑day lake excursion (kayaking or boat trip organised by the hotel) to spot condors and native birdlife. Late checkout and transfer to Bariloche airport.

This itinerary keeps all activities within the resort or its immediate vicinity, reducing travel time and maximising the property’s own amenities.

Timeline of Llao Llao Hotel

  1. 1934 – Construction begins shortly after the creation of Nahuel Huapi National Park, part of a state‑led plan to attract wealthy tourists (official history).
  2. 9 January 1938 – The original hotel opens to the public in a Canadian‑lodge style using cypress logs and larch tiles (official history).
  3. 26 October 1939 – A fire completely destroys the original building (official history).
  4. 15 December 1940 – The rebuilt hotel reopens; the main historic structure is later named the Bustillo Wing (official history).
  5. 1978 – The hotel closes due to lack of funds (official history).
  6. 1993 – After a 15‑year closure and a privatization process, Llao Llao reopens as Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Golf‑Spa (official history).
  7. 15 December 2007 – The Lago Moreno Wing opens, adding 43 deluxe studios and suites with lake and mountain views (official history).

Related reading: Grand Hotel Fasano Review: Lake Garda Icon · Grand Hotel Zell am See: Historic Lakeside Retreat Guide

For a deeper look into how the original structure was rebuilt after the devastating 1939 fire, see Llao Llao Hotels history.

Frequently asked questions

What restaurants are on site at Llao Llao?

The resort operates multiple dining outlets, including La Patagonia (international fine‑dining), and several more casual venues (the official site lists four to five options). Menus focus on Patagonian ingredients and Argentine wines.

What activities can guests enjoy at the resort?

Year‑round offerings include the 18‑hole golf course, heated indoor‑outdoor infinity pool, full‑service spa, hiking, fishing, rafting, wildlife watching (condors), and in winter ski rental with shuttle to Cerro Catedral (MICHELIN Guide).

Is there a children’s programme at Llao Llao?

Yes, the Nahuelito’s Club offers supervised activities for children, typically operating from midday until late afternoon, allowing parents to use the spa, golf course, or pool (Luxury Latin America).

Does the hotel belong to any international hotel group?

Llao Llao is an independent member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a consortium of luxury independent hotels, which sets certain quality standards but does not impose chain‑wide policies (Timbuktu Travel).

Does Llao Llao have a spa?

Yes, the resort includes a full‑service spa offering massages, facials, and hydrotherapy; access is included for most room categories (official site).

Who owns the Llao Llao Hotel?

The hotel is independently owned and operated. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, a consortium of independent luxury hotels.

Sources cited