Xelena Hotel & Suites is the best-value way to get lake views, a spa and real comfort in El Calafate without paying lodge prices. It is a contemporary hotel right on the shore of Lago Argentino, at the edge of town, with big windows facing the milky turquoise water and the mountains beyond. The hotel describes itself as a five-star property.
The draw for honeymooners is the combination of a heated indoor-outdoor pool, the Zen Spa and four places to eat and drink, all a short walk or shuttle ride from the restaurants of Avenida Libertador. Room categories climb from Standard and Superior rooms to Junior Suites, Suites de Lujo and a Presidential Suite.
Booking sites list entry rooms from roughly $235 a night, approximate and higher in peak summer. It suits couples who want a comfortable, well-equipped base for the Perito Moreno Glacier, boat trips and a day in El Chaltén, with a spa to come back to. Couples who want total silence and steppe views should splurge on EOLO instead.
Highlights at a glance
- On the shore of Lago Argentino with lake views
- Heated indoor-outdoor pool
- Zen Spa with sauna and hot tub
- Four restaurants and bars, including Huerta & Fuegos
- Junior Suites, Suites de Lujo and a Presidential Suite
Why Couples Choose Xelena
Location is the first point in its favor. Being on the lakeshore rather than up the hill means you look straight out over Lago Argentino and the light on the water changes all day. At sunset the mountains on the far shore turn gold, then pink.
The second is comfort. Patagonian days are long and active, often windy and cold and Xelena is built for coming home to: warm rooms, a pool you can swim in from indoors to outdoors and a spa for sore legs after a glacier walk.
The third is flexibility. You are close enough to town to walk to dinner along the lake, or use the hotel's shuttle, but far enough away that evenings are quiet.
Rooms and Suites to Book
Room categories are Standard, Superior, Triple, Junior Suite, Suite de Lujo and Presidential Suite.
For a honeymoon, the Junior Suite is the sweet spot. It gives you more space and a more romantic feel than a standard room for a moderate step up in price. A Suite de Lujo adds more room still and the Presidential Suite is the one to book for a splurge.
Whatever category you choose, ask for a lake view. It is the main reason to stay on this side of town and a room facing the lake changes the experience completely. Higher floors give wider views.
El Calafate's peak season, December to February, books up early, so reserve suites well ahead.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Xelena has four food and drink spaces. Mora is the main restaurant. Huerta & Fuegos takes its name from the garden and the fire, a nod to Patagonian cooking. Coral Coffee Shop covers coffee and light bites and Pierrot Bistró Lobby Bar is the place for a drink with a view of the lake.
The Zen Spa is the highlight for couples. It offers massages and treatments, with a sauna and hot tub. The heated pool, with indoor and outdoor sections, is a joy after a long day in the wind.
In town, a 15-minute walk along the lake, you can try classic Patagonian lamb roasted on a cross, local trout and calafate berry ice cream, which local legend says guarantees your return.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The Perito Moreno Glacier, about an hour and a half by road, is the essential day out. Spend hours on the walkways, take the short boat ride to the glacier face or book a guided ice walk with crampons.
Another day, cruise Lago Argentino to the Upsala Glacier and the icebergs of the lake's northern arms. Visit an estancia for a horseback ride and a lamb asado. El Chaltén, about three hours north, is the base for hiking around Mount Fitz Roy and works well as a two-night side trip.
Closer to the hotel, walk the lakeshore to Laguna Nimez, a nature reserve where flamingos feed at dusk. The Glaciarium museum is a good rainy-day option.
Getting There
El Calafate Airport (FTE) has frequent flights from Buenos Aires, about three hours from Aeroparque (AEP) or Ezeiza (EZE), plus seasonal links with Bariloche and Ushuaia. The drive from the airport to the hotel takes about 20 minutes. Taxis and transfers wait for flights.
You do not need a car in El Calafate. Most excursions, including Perito Moreno and boat trips, include pickups from your hotel. Renting a car does give you the freedom to arrive at the glacier early, before the tour buses.
The hotel sits on the lakeside road at the edge of town. A guest shuttle runs into the center, so ask reception for the schedule. Walking along the lake to the center takes about 15 minutes.
Is It Worth It?
For most couples, yes. Booking sites list entry rooms from roughly $235 a night for two, approximate and higher in December to February. Junior Suites and Suites de Lujo cost more but remain a fraction of a remote lodge.
You get lake views, a proper spa and pool and several restaurants, which is more than most El Calafate hotels offer. That makes it a strong base for a three- or four-night stay.
Pick elsewhere if you want the silence and steppe of a remote estancia; EOLO and Estancia Cristina deliver that at several times the price. Couples who want a smaller, more personal place may prefer one of the boutique hotels in town.
Good to Know
El Calafate's season runs roughly October to April, with December to February the busiest and warmest months. Days are very long in summer. Spring and autumn are quieter and some excursions run less often.
The Patagonian wind is strong and cold, even in summer. Pack a windproof jacket, warm layers, a hat, gloves and sunglasses and wear sunscreen, since UV is strong this far south.
The hotel welcomes families, as Triple rooms suggest, though the atmosphere is generally calm. Ask about the VAT exemption on accommodation for non-resident foreigners paying with a foreign card, which can reduce your bill.
Insider tips
- Request a lake-view room on a higher floor when booking.
- Book a spa treatment for the evening after your Perito Moreno ice walk.
- Walk the lakeshore to Laguna Nimez at dusk to see flamingos.
- Check the shuttle schedule into town on arrival so you can plan dinners.
