Latitud Cuarenta Suites

San Martín de los Andes carries in its name the suggestion that geography explains everything. Latitud Cuarenta Suites, located in the town center, applies that same logic as its own identity: the name refers to the 40th parallel south, the coordinate that runs through this stretch of Andean Patagonia and makes this Neuquén town a gateway to some of the country’s most recognizable landscapes.

The hotel has 14 rooms in two configurations: eleven doubles and three rooms with capacity for up to five guests, designed for groups or families. All share the same standard: sommier beds, radiant heating, natural light, 32-inch Smart LED television, safe, and private bathroom. The design prioritizes functionality over declared luxury, with clean, well-maintained spaces focused on rest.

Among the services included in the room rate, a continental breakfast is served in the hotel’s dining room, a spacious area that accommodates most guests at once. The lobby includes a sitting area with a communal television, serving as a gathering point before or after excursions. Reception is staffed for much of the day and provides guidance on activities and tours in the area, along with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages for guests. Housekeeping is done twice daily, and WiFi is available throughout all rooms and common areas.

One service that sets the hotel apart during ski season is the transfer to Cerro Chapelco, which allows guests to reach the ski resort without a private vehicle. Chapelco operates a few kilometers from the town center and is one of the most important ski and snowboard destinations in Argentine Patagonia, with runs ranging from beginner slopes to demanding descents on the slopes of the namesake volcano.

The central location is the hotel’s strongest asset. From Latitud Cuarenta, guests can walk to the shops and restaurants of the town center, and the departure point for the region’s main tourist circuits is a short distance away. The Seven Lakes Road, which links San Martín to Villa La Angostura through a succession of lakes and forests of coihue and arrayán, begins very close to the hotel. The Lago Lácar waterfront, with its dark-sand beaches and views toward the surrounding hills, is a short walk away. For those who prefer hiking, the trail to Mirador Arrayanes offers panoramic views over the lake and town from above, without requiring technical mountain experience.

To the north of town, Lanín National Park concentrates the region’s most ambitious itineraries: the ascent of Volcán Lanín — a perfectly conical peak exceeding 3,700 meters — or routes toward Villa Pehuenia and Lago Aluminé. On the Río Chimehuín, several local guides run rafting trips on waters that combine calm stretches with moderate rapids, a popular option for summer visitors.

Latitud Cuarenta Suites does not aim to be the most striking hotel in San Martín de los Andes, but the most practical one: a place with complete services, a privileged location, and a human-scale operation that makes it easy to move between the town and the excursions that, for most visitors, are the real reason for the trip.