Where to Stay in Mendoza

Where to Stay in Mendoza Argentina

Argentina is a land of contrast with many different landscapes to suit all types of travelers but for lovers of the outdoors and all things wine, there really is no better place to visit in Argentina, than Mendoza.

From Mendoza, you can see the towering Andes Mountains to the west. The mountains prevent precipitation from the Pacific Ocean from reaching Mendoza creating a dry climate with the kind of temperature variations which make it ideal for wine production.

Mendoza is home to the world-famous Malbec variety – a smooth, medium-full bodied dark red wine, perfectly matched with a heavy, Argentine-style meal of grilled red meat or a saucy pasta. The province produces over two-thirds of Argentina’s wine. There are several different wine regions around Mendoza city – the capital of Mendoza Province. Each region is home to various wineries, styles of wines, and accommodation options.

In addition to the excellent wines, the region, which experiences year-round sunshine is also a great adventure tourism destination with hiking, white water rafting, and horseback tours available.

The Best Places to Stay in Mendoza

To experience a Mendoza wine tour to the fullest, where should you stay? After my third visit to the region this Autumn, I now feel like I understand Mendoza better than ever. I’ve separated my hotel and wine lodge recommendations by the region and location in which they reside. From the Maipu Region to Mendoza City, read on for my recommendations on where to stay in Mendoza Argentina during your next South American wine tour.

Mendoza Hotels in Maipu

When choosing an area to stay in for a Mendoza wine tour a good place to start is Maipu. Located around 18km or a 20-minute drive southwest of Mendoza City, Maipu is a quaint town with tree-lined streets surrounded by flat, sprawling countryside with many wineries to choose from. Being closer to the capital, Maipu’s central location makes it an ideal point from which to explore many of the vineyards surrounding Mendoza.

Additionally, its flat terrain means that renting a bicycle and spending a day pleasantly cycling from vineyard to vineyard is a must. Maipu is a great mix of small-town and wide-open space of grapevines and olive trees, with the ever-present backdrop of the snow-capped Andes in the distance always providing spectacular vistas.

Visitors have access to a range of local restaurants. My personal recommendations are Rincon Del Lopez and Al Rescoldo. Maipu has excellent choices of accommodation from quaint hotels and posadas to excellent personal wine lodges allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the region.

Club Tapiz Wine Lodge
My top place to stay in Maipu is the excellent Club Tapiz Wine Lodge! Built-in 1890, but recently renovated, there is plenty of character and history. It is surrounded by 14 hectares of vineyards and olive trees at an excellent price.

Mendoza Hotels in Lujan de Cuyo

Lujan de Cuyo is about 20km south of Mendoza in quintessential wine country. The area is home to some superb vineyards, with most hotels and wineries located outside of the town itself. The region is spread out over quite a distance following the ‘Route 15’ or ‘Ruta de Vino’ south. While Lujan de Cuyo isn’t the most centrally located, being quite a distance away from the vineyards of Maipu, the region itself is full of small and large vineyards to visit.

Generally speaking, the wines of Lujan de Cuyo are considered higher quality than those in Maipu due to altitude – many of the vineyards are located at around 1000m of altitude. It’s also claimed that this is the best region for Malbec. That said, I would recommend Lujan de Cuyo a must for aficionados of wine.

Entre Cielos
Accommodations in the area are generally more luxurious and isolated than those in Maipu or Chacras de Coria. I recommend staying at the Entre Cielos in Lujan de Cuyo. The hotel combines modern, luxurious rooms with breathtaking surroundings of flowing vineyards and mountainous terrain. Run by a group of Swiss friends, the hotel is home to their vineyard as well as a luxurious spa.

Hotel Villa Mansa
Another great option is the Hotel Villa Mansa, this is also located at a vineyard and offers great all-inclusive packages that allow guests to visit wineries as well as participate in adventure activities such as horseback riding and white water rafting. A number of their guest villas are designed in the shape of wine barrels which provides a quirky and apt touch.

Mendoza Hotels in Chacras de Coria (district in Lujan de Cuyo)

Located 14km south of Mendoza city you will find Chacras de Coria, a picturesque and quaint residential neighborhood that sits at the edge of the Uco Valley. Life moves at a leisurely pace and visitors are enchanted by tree-lined streets and beautiful houses in this largely residential town. In spite of being one of the smaller towns on this list Chacras de Coria offers a lot, it’s a great base to explore the surrounding areas while still being close to local amenities and restaurants. There is also a variety of family-run boutique bodegas to choose from that will allow you to enjoy an authentic experience of the refined craft of winemaking.

As with Maipu I also recommend renting bicycles and visiting the wineries of the surrounding area, good weather is virtually guaranteed so cycling is always a great option. My recommendation for accommodation here is Chacras de Coria, which is the boutique-style Lares de Chacras.

Lares de Chacras
The hotel was built with locally sourced stone and timber which give it a cozy and welcoming feel. There’s also a wine cellar, an excellent restaurant, and a beautiful sunny courtyard with a pool – perfect for the hot, dry summer months.

Mendoza Hotels in the Uco Valley

Located around 100km to the south of Mendoza City, the Uco Valley is now the premier location for Mendoza’s best wines. The higher altitudes and mountainous terrain work to create micro-climates, stimulating a more sophisticated selection of wines. Many of the big wine producers of Mendoza are moving out to the Uco Valley to take advantage of the favorable conditions, opening up vineyards to their most exclusive and expensive wines.

While the area’s remote location is favorable for the growth of vines, it is a fair distance away from the other wine-producing regions of Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo meaning that it’s quite a stretch to base yourself here and explore other areas. However, for serious wine lovers, looking to experience the the essential Mendoza wine tour the Uco Valley is a must-visit destination.

Vines Resort & Spa
My Choice in the Uco Valley is the Vines Resort & Spa. This is an incredible wine resort made up of one and two-bedroom private villas with views over vines to the Andes. The vineyard is made up of private vineyards that produce small batches owned by individuals. Anyone can produce their own wine alongside resident experts! It’s also home to renowned Argentine chef Francis Mallmann’s ‘Siete Fuegos’ restaurant based on open fire cooking – an Argentine fare at it’s best!

Hotels in Mendoza City

Although my recommendation is to stay in a wine hotel outside of the main city, Mendoza City’s own unique charms are not to be overlooked. Life here runs at a much more leisurely pace than in Buenos Aires. The city is dissected by canals that allow waters to pass through safely during the melt season in the visible Andes Mountains. There is also a beautiful central plaza, cobblestoned residential streets, and lots of great restaurants to choose from. Oh! And did we mention the wine?

Mendoza city is also a good starting point for anyone looking for something more to do in Mendoza besides wineries. It’s great for anyone interested in doing adventure tours, while here, you can hike to the base of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, go white water rafting, or horseback riding in the foothills of the Andes. A good place to base yourself is near Plaza Independencia – the city’s central plaza.

The Park Hyatt
My Choice in Mendoza City is The Park Hyatt. This old-style hotel has been newly renovated and sits right in the square. With rooms that face the city or over to the Andes, you won’t be disappointed. Another recommended hotel sits only a few blocks from the Plaza called the Hotel Diplomatic, this is a stylish modern hotel which is notable for its aesthetics, great location, and quality of service.

Overall Hotel Recommendations for Mendoza

My recommendation? If you have the time, I recommend staying at a mix of hotels and wine lodges. Base yourself in the region of Maipu to be close to innumerable wineries throughout the regions surrounding Mendoza City. At night, stay at a wine lodge, and immerse yourself in the natural surroundings which Mendoza is famous for. Then, spend a few days out at the Uco Valley experiencing the premier wines of the region in absolute seclusion and immersion.

Another tip, take the bus if you are going to Santiago after your Mendoza stay or coming to Mendoza from Santiago. Both cities are connected by an absolutely stunning mountain pass that will take you winding alongside the river rapid and under the shadow of Aconcagua. For more information, check out our recommended hotels in Mendoza!