Estancia la Sofia

We stayed in one of the suites for 3 nights. Unfortunately when we were there the temperature was 104 degrees. There is only 1 ceiling fan in the bedroom; none in the salon so we could not sit on the couch or in that room as it was too hot. We did ask for floor fans but they did not have them. I rode every am before the heat set in. Then went for a dip in the pool. My husband refused to swim as he saw the pool in the early am before it was cleaned. The birds/ducks visited it and he said it was quite dirty. But they did clean it daily. And this is an estancia. The food was amazing. Chef Ezekiel prepared incredible 4 course meals for lunch and dinner. And there were. Home baked goods for tea at 5 pm. Unfortunately it was so hot, we could not walk, or bird watch. Really there is not much to do there and while we wanted to relax, we would have liked to be a bit more active. (Not their fault). Silke, the owner is very hospitable. She wanted me to take a polo lesson; I just wanted to stay on the horse as have not ridden in35+ years.

Estancia Sophia was suggested to us as day trip; we took one look online and decided to cancel something else and stay there as long as we could, which was four days. I’ll never forget it and if I could I’d bring the whole family back and fill the place for a week. It’s the opposite of a “resort,” you’re mostly on your own which is how we like it. But what they do they do perfectly. I hadn’t ridden a horse in 50 years but rode every day. My husband, who grew up riding, took polo lessons from Marcos, who is spectacular, patient and kind, sharing his passion for polo. Silke runs the place perfectly, when you have something to ask her she seems to magically appear. Lucas the chef was amazing, making the best meals we’ve had in Argentina with a smile to look forward to. Two nights we were alone and two nights loved sharing with other guests, who felt like family quickly. There was a stunning polo match with a small family party afterwards, to which we were invited—so nice! And a perfect and hidden pool. Marcos and Silke have built a dream here. It’s like visiting family but better. Dusty friendly dogs, utterly charming rooms, maid service just right, comfy chairs under trees for afternoon reading, generosity everywhere; don’t skip this. If it sounds right up your alley it most likely is.

Hermoso lugar, super accesible desde CABA y muy tranquilo. Excelente comida ( soy veggie) y hospitalidad. Totalmente recomendable para escapar de la urbe, estar en contacto con la naturaleza y andar a caballo. Sinceramente nos encantó todo.

My partner and I had a few days in Buenos Aires on a recent vacation. We always like to explore off the beaten track so our agent booked us a day trip to LA Sofia Estancia for polo lessons. What a great experience. A driver picked us up at our hotel and we drove about an hour and a half outside of Buenos Aires to the beautiful countryside. We were greeted at the Estancia by Silke and Marcos who were most welcoming. We saddled up and went for a quiet ride through the property. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch followed by a brief rest. Now it was time to get on a wooden horse and start learning how to hold the mallet a hit the ball without hitting yourself or your horse. Then we got back on our horses and got to ride around the full size polo field attempting to hit the ball. Marcos is an incredible teacher and had the patience of a Saint with us older gals from Canada. The place is owned by a family of polo players, and they cater to beginners like us and experienced players. If we had more time it would have been a great place to stay for a few days. They have everything you need, food, wine, a pool and stunning horses. Thank you Silke and Marcos for great vacation memories!

Si ustedes quieren pasar un momento de campo en un lugar excepcional, no duden un ápice, La Sofia es el destino soñado a poco más de una hora de Buenos Aires. La cordial acogida que Silke y Marcos, ambos jugadores de élite de polo, les brindarán, les hará sentirse como es su casa... con el ambiente y encanto de los muros centenarios de su estancia! La naturaleza en estado puro, el sonido del viento a través del follaje de los árboles, los cantos de los pájaros, las posibilidades de actividades hípicas (de la monta clásica a la iniciación de polo en sus magníficas instalaciones), unos largos en la piscina, les mantendrá entretenidos en todo momento. Todo ello, sin olvidar la estupenda comida local preparada por Marcos y su equipo. En caso de querer profundizar en el universo gaucho y en el encanto local de San Antonio de Areco (a unos 20 minutos de la Estancia), vayan a pasear por sus calles, siempre será una escapada de encanto!

First, this was a two night stay in the middle of a long two week Argentinian vacation. We’ve never played polo before, but we’re walking away with a new level of appreciation for the sport and sincere excitement for future polo play. For the football fans out there, this is like learning football from Nick Sabin. You’ll be learning from a master of the sport, Marcos, while also enjoying the upmost hospitality from his wife Silke. They make an excellent team. I always appreciate it when reviewers leave a comment about their prior travel experience and the places seen during this most recent trip so that I can understand the context, so I’ll do the same here. Between the two of us, we’ve traveled to over 30 countries, And during the course of our trip to Argentina, we spent two days in Buenos Aires, two days in Mendoza, three days in Cafayate, two days in El Calafate, and two days in El Chalten. When I say this is I can’t mess activity, I mean it. Do not miss this. Estancia La Sofia is something that interested both of us when I was looking at places to stay around Buenos Aires. We ended up extending our trip by two days to make this portion work. We were interested in doing something uniquely Argentinian without prior horseback riding experience or polo play. We did the intensive for beginners program which involved twice a day polo lessons with Marcos and his son. Let me tell you this, polo is seriously fun. You walk away from each lesson having improved your skills. By the end of our two days there, we were both forgetting about the fact that we were even riding a horse during play. We were so engaged in the game. We have a long way to go before we can play a competitive match, but we feel that we are well on our way. We are even considering returning for a weeklong program, that’s how fun this was. If you’re reading this review, don’t hesitate, and just book this place. If you’re beginners like us, if you’re advanced players like Marcos who plays professionally and has played polo for over 60 years, you’ll improve your game and have a ton of fun. The icing on the cake is the beautiful grounds, comfortable rooms, on-site pool, and some of the best meals we’ve had an Argentina prepared by Marcos and Silke. As a tip for those staying on site, there’s a nearby town which has one of the best silversmiths in the country. Don’t miss this place. We bought a beautiful pair of silver earrings with intricate details, a mate cup, and a summer hat. To conclude, this place greatly exceeded our expectations. By the end of the two days, we were both not just riding the horse, but playing, all in the most comfortable surroundings and hospitality. That’s why we will remember this visit for years to come and want to return.