In Bolivia they would have awarded themselves 14 stars - in Argentina only 5 - in reality 3 would be the right overall figure (but there isn't a lot that's much better outside Buenos Aires).

It's the details that let them down: eg
- Funny plug sockets (New Zealand style) in the newer rooms but Reception have no adapters (some of them seem to have had Euro plugs forced in but they are the broken ones of course).
- The restaurant is across the road but there are not enough unbroken umbrellas (though the waiter willingly got himself soaked running over the road to get me one)
- the water pressure is very low and barely enough for a shower (odd considering they are surrounded by water and glaciers)

Don't get a room on the 3rd (top) floor in summer - the room is in the roof space - beautiful with the exposed (modern) roof beams but incredibly hot, and there's not even a fan, never mind a/c. We tried 4 changes of room and all were top floor and very hot overnight (never found out how 1st/2nd floor rooms were allocated), very noisy (especially the one on the corner of the crossroads), and had no soundproofing between the rooms. The double beds all seem to be soft and varied from tiny to medium size.

Staff are very friendly but usually powerless unless they can do it themselves - in which case they are wonderful (eg the soaking wet waiter above) .

Public rooms are spacious and grand, including the very good restaurant (4 stars maybe).

I have just come back from some days at Calafate, Patagonia. You ´d just not believe how beautiful these places are! I am a "sea lover"... even though, I could not help some tears when I saw the glaciar Perito Moreno for the first time!! It is amazing... You feel so small, so overwhelmed by this beauty... It is, for me, an evidence of God´s presence...

The Posada los Alamos hotel was lovely. Maybe it missed some details to be considered as a 5 stars, but even though, it was great:
-nice location:2 blocks from commercial centers ( which are actually a few shops and two galleries, but all of them very nice)
- great service and food: excellent quality, breakfast had an enormous variety . All the meals were very good.
- great spa and pool. It is a new building, really well decorated and absolutely charming. Amazing view from the pool and from the bar.
-lots of wood and stone all over public places, which give the hotel a very warm ambience.
- rooms are nice, though a little small ( except for the suites, that are much bigger). Most of the rooms have been renewed. I don´t know if there are still non renewed rooms...Just keep in mind that there are some new ones that are very nice, in case you do not like the one you are given.
-if you like dogs and cats: you will find lots of beautiful dogs free along the streets, which just want your friendship... Also a ginger and white cat who lives outside the hotel restaurant and is very friendly.

CONS of the hotel:
- my room was absolutely noisy, which is something you do not expect from a place like this. It was in the main building, first floor, at thefront. Windows have single (not double) glasses and all the noises at the front door seemed to be happening in my room (buses, people talking at the front door, large groups coming or leaving, dogs barking, etc). Some people told me there were rooms with double glasses... You may also ask for a room at the annex or at the back of the hotel in case you appreciate silence.
- the gym was small.

PLACES to VISIT:
- Definitely, the glaciar Perito Moreno. Amazing! I bought a mini trekking excursion which was great! You walk on the ice and feel the glaciar just under your feet! Beware: not for old persons or for persons with disabilities in their legs or back! Even when it is not so hard, you have to jump up and down with some special ice shoes, with nails... it requires some strenght on your side...
- we visited some farm called "El galpon del glaciar"... They raise sheeps and show you how they get the wool from them... Also offer a typical food from the zone ( sheeps!) and a tango show. Very nice. Not amazing, but cool...
-there is a boat that takes you to the several glaciers in the zone: the Perito Moreno, the Upsala...Nice experience if you feel ok on boats...
All the lakes are marvellous. I could not believe the light blue color of the Argentinian Lake!

WHEN BUYING LOCAL STUFF in Calafate:
-walk around and ask for prices... Some places are much more expensive than Buenos Aires (especially, wool clothes). But,if you walk and ask, you can find some local clothes, mermelades and chocolates at reasonable prices.
- Speaking of chocolates: Abuela Goye, Ovejas de chocolate and Laguna Negra are all very good and well priced.
- Regarding T-shirts and sweaters: try a shop called NATIVO at the gallery of the Gnomos. Good stuff, good prices.
-Ski and technical clothes are the same price than in Buenos Aires. These clothes are not cheap anywhere! But they have reasonable prices in Calafate.

My recommendation is: visit the Perito Moreno and Calafate at least once in your life! Four or five days is just enough! It is faraway, but it worths the trip and the money... And remember: those who eat the calafate fruits, return to the Patagonia! So, don´t forget if you want to return!!

We stayed in this hotel twice within a 10-day period while passing through El Calafate. The first time we had a small, dark room in the original, older wing of the hotel. We were quite disappointed as our expectations had been quite high after visiting their website and judging from their room rates.
The second time we had a much larger, brighter room in the newer wing of the hotel. The beds were very comfortable, the decor attractive, the bathroom very clean. The hotel's best feature is the breakfast, served in their annex across the road. Lots of choice, and you can even have Argie streak and red wine should you feel like it!
We had a very pleasant stay in this centrally located hotel and would recommend it.
(If you're a cat-lover and you go there please save a piece of ham from breakfast to give to the poor stray ginger and white cat which sits outside the breakfast annex on a stone bench!)

Hotel staff was polite, but young and unexperienced. About what you would expect in the middle of nowhere. Located just on the edge of town, a short walk to everything in El Calafate. Rooms were comfortable and spotless. Just ask for one in front of the hotel because dogs bark all night long in the back of the hotel. ALL NIGHT LONG. Food was very good, try the roasted lamb (best I have ever had). Free internet in the lobby.