A small, red carriage being pulled by a horse along the lush fields outside the bright red Estancia La Bamba de Areco, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A Large outdoor pool, surrounded by various sunbeds within the verdant garden of Estancia La Bamba de Areco, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The homely wooden furniture and decor in the bedroom, with open shutters displaying the gardens of the Estancia La Bamba de Areco, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Dramatic lighting displaying the hanging antlers in the cosy, beautifully decorated living room of the Estancia La Bamba de Areco, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Estancia La Bamba de Areco

Argentina

Nestled amid fertile grasslands 120 kilometres from Buenos Aires, La Bamba de Areco is one of the oldest estancias in Argentina.

A working ranch until the late 1970s, it has been reinvented as a boutique hotel that’s one of the best in the country. Combining the character of a historic ranch with the grandeur and sophistication of a modern hotel, this Relais & Chateaux property offers the perfect environment to unwind and learn a little more about Argentina’s emblematic gaucho culture.

Surrounded by manicured gardens and two polo fields, the 11 rooms and suites are dotted amongst the colonial buildings and named after champion polo horses. Polished wooden floors, antique furniture, earthy hues and local textiles combine with modern artworks and views of the park, patios, pampa or polo fields for a tranquil and relaxing stay.

Dining is a delight with meals celebrating locally sourced, Argentine cuisine. A continental-style breakfast is followed by a magnificent asado (traditional grill) for lunch, with evening meals served in the dining room. Most meals are communal, though private dining can be arranged. Excellent wine is a certainty.

Guests can enjoy abundant activities from horse riding, carriage rides and birdwatching to biking and swimming in the outdoor pool. Visits to the polo stables can be arranged, and warm hand towels and refreshments follow all excursions.