Arelauquen Lodge, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, San Carlos de Bariloche

Arelauquen Lodge is located within a private country club where many Argentinians own beautiful homes, giving the area an air of exclusivity. However, while the surroundings feel premium, the hotel itself does not deliver a 5-star experience (despite claims). At best, it’s a functional 4-star stay, lacking a clear vision for guest experience or connection with the surrounding nature. The Good - *Staff:* The team is kind and eager to help. With better management and direction, they could excel, but currently, they’re limited by the hotel’s shortcomings. - *Room:* The room meets Marriott standards (e.g. bedding, functional everything), and the room was generally comfortable. However, the kitchenette felt unnecessary, the furniture was dated, and small details like crooked lamp shades gave the room a neglected, bygone feel. - *View:* The view from the lobby is lovely, giving a good glimpse of Bariloche’s beauty. It isn't exceptional compared to other resorts we visited in the area, but it was very nice nevertheless. - *Food:* Dinner at the restaurant was delicious, albeit overpriced (but that is as expected at a hotel). The waitstaff was attentive and charming, adding warmth to an otherwise uninspiring stay. Missed Opportunities - *Vibe & Music:* The atmosphere was confusing. Instead of rustic or relaxing music that matched the lodge’s natural surroundings, the hotel played electronic dance music—even at breakfast—making the space feel out of sync with its environment. Suitable and equally low-effort alternatives could've been instrumental covers, standard piano/elevator music from the 90s, or a lo-fi playlist from Spotify... Anything but EDM with your eggs at 7am. - *Bonvoy Recognition:* I know Bonvoy Gold is not a big deal, but receiving the worst room in the hotel (ground-floor "mountain view" facing a parking lot, next to unpleasant smelling lobby bathrooms) was disappointing. With the curtains drawn for privacy, the room was dark and uninviting. I politely requested a higher-floor room, but no one followed up (the hotel was mostly empty, so definitely other rooms in the category available). - *Operations & Housekeeping:* Several operational details fell through. For instance, housekeeping didn’t service our room despite leaving the "make up room" sign out all morning (we left at 9am, came back at 2pm to an unmade room; ironically, the only staff member I consistently saw was someone mopping the lobby floor). - *A Lack of Guest Experience:* The lodge seems to cater primarily to golfers looking for someplace functional to spend the night, leaving other guests with little to do. Activities were not suggested at check-in, and staff seemed to not have much to offer when inquired about things to do (I asked a few different staff members at the front desk but to no avail). It seems like the Arelauquen club may have offered activities for guests to access (based on other reviews) but this was not evident while we were staying there. - *Li

Area externa e de belezas naturais realmente é deslumbrante, um lindo campo de golfe, próximo das montanhas com neve, realmente encantador. O hotel em si é mediano, café da manhã bom e recomendo alugar um carro pois é distante do centro e por estrada de terra até o hotel

So far we have not had a good experience here at the hotel. While the concierge here is very kind , the management here does not care about you having a comfortable and memorable stay. We came after peak tourist season and booked a room , however as Marriott Bonvoy members we get an upgrade to a suite if one is available … which there is as the hotel is practically empty. We have traveled a lot and have stayed at a lot of Marriott properties and this has never happened before. The hotel manager here was unwilling to upgrade us to accommodate our Bonvoy membership suite upgrade and even wanted to charge us and extra $100 a day to switch rooms when the room fee difference online is much less than that at this time of year. Sad to say for a Marriott property , right now I can not recommend it nor do I see myself coming back or telling friends and family to stay here. Lots of other nice hotels around.

Best hotel view we’ve had in Argentina ! Beautiful view over the golf course and to the mountains. Very nice room, spacious with plenty of storage and a kitchen area. Breakfast is ok - continental style . Would prefer MTO eggs but this style typical for hotels in Argentina. Outside of town so you’ll need driver or taxi to go into town

I recently revisited what used to be a charming retreat, now operating under the Marriott brand, and unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. My first encounter with this establishment was nothing short of amazing, but this return visit fell short in numerous ways. While the beautiful views and serene location remain unchanged, the hotel now lacks the personality and warmth it once exuded. What struck me most was the apparent identity crisis the hotel seems to be experiencing. It attempts to portray itself as upscale but exhibits signs more akin to a budget establishment, leaving guests like myself uncertain about its direction and overall appeal. One of the most disappointing aspects post-refurbishment was the addition of small kitchens in the rooms. These kitchens, equipped with microwaves, oversized fridges, cooktops, and sinks, felt unnecessary and detracted from the ambiance. Moreover, the noise and light from these appliances were disruptive, especially during the night, and despite complaints, no action was taken to address the issue. During one evening, a blackout occurred in our room while I was in the shower. Despite being offered another room for the night, the lack of communication and inconvenience of switching rooms, especially considering the late hour and our tiredness, further marred the experience. The hotel's response lacked even a simple apology for the inconvenience caused, highlighting a lack of attention to guest comfort and satisfaction. The accommodations themselves were subpar, with uncomfortable pillows and dated decor, contributing to an overall lackluster experience. Even the spa, marketed as a relaxing escape, felt impersonal, with the pool often littered with dead bugs and leaves, detracting from any sense of relaxation or rejuvenation. Location-wise, while we appreciated the hotel's off-the-beaten-path setting, its distance from the city center proved inconvenient, especially considering the absence of drop-off or pick-up services. Relying on unreliable taxi services, compounded by the necessity of paying in cash as taxis do not accept credit cards, added unnecessary stress to the stay. Addressing this issue should be a priority for the hotel management, offering guests more convenient transportation options. The culinary experience was equally underwhelming, with monotonous and uninspired breakfast offerings that left me disinterested by the end of the week. The dinner menu, while passable, lacked variety and clear descriptions of dishes. To top it off, when I inquired about a late check-out as a loyal Marriott Bonvoy member, I was met with a shocking fee from the general manager. Charging around $150 for a mere two-hour extension felt exploitative and showcased a blatant disregard for guest satisfaction. It left a sour taste in my mouth and reinforced the impression that the hotel prioritizes profit over guest experience. Overall, my return visit to this hotel was a disappointment. It's evident that

My husband and I stayed here for one week and it was an absolute dream. The stunning views speak for themselves but the staff was divine and truly made this experience so personal for us. Sabrina, Alan, Damien, Denis and Tomas were all so kind and welcoming. They gave us wonderful recommendations for places to eat in town and things to do. The food was fantastic. The room was clean and comfortable. Getting to town takes about 20 minutes and you can ask for a taxi pickup from the lodge and then grab a taxi or Uber back. If you are ever in Bariloche, do not miss the chance to stay here!!!

Fuimos a jugar golf, las expectativas fueron superadas, quizás la carta del restoran un poco reducida pero el resto insuperable...amabilidad, limpieza, infraestructura...por nombrar algo, cancha y personal a cargo impecable, ningun punto bajo

La habitación no es de 5 estrellas como lo referencia la página, es como de 3 y eso ... las fotos que publica aquí es muy diferente a la realidad. Los baños son deplorables y el cuarto es muy pequeño con una ventana minúscula. Lo único que rescato es el desayuno, la biscocheria y el waitresses staff que fue muy profesional. Incluso haciendo el reclamo por la habitación al recepcionista, no le importo mi reclamo incluso mencionado que iba a poner las quejas en este tipo de espacios, realmente no vale la pena quedarse en ese lugar.

I typically spend a hundred nights per year in a hotel - easily over a thousand in the last 20 years and remember maybe 10 of them. This place is in the top 5. Although a Marriott property, the lodge is small - about 20 rooms I guess. It's in a gated community with a golf course and very expensive homes. The security gate takes some time the first time you go through, but they give you a code to use after that. The scenery can only be described as stunning. The pictures don't do it justice. You'll find yourself staring out the window without realizing it. I did a Grand View room which is on the top floor with views in three directions. It had a kitchenette, dining table for three, a king bed, two arm chairs with a coffee table and a spacious bathroom. Incredible water pressure. Even with all of that, the staff is really the best part of the hotel. Marianna, Bruno, Rosario and Denis were very friendly and very invested in making sure we had a great time both in the property and exploring the area. Although the hotel is in a very posh setting, they make it casual and comfortable. Other reviews mention the staff, but they truly are the best. Granted the inflation in Argentina is a bit crazy, but we felt it was the best value of any hotel we have ever stayed in when we got our bill. Personally, I would never consider staying anywhere else in Bariloche.