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Offering amazing views of Lago Argentino and the mountains, this modern, eco-chic hotel is 8 km away from the Glaciarium glacier museum.
Summary of reviewsDesign Suites Calafate is highly praised for its picturesque location, nestled just outside the center of El Calafate with breathtaking views over Lake Argentino. The serene setting offers a tranquil retreat with stunning natural beauty, enhanced by the hotel's remarkable architecture. The peaceful atmosphere and panoramic vistas from various parts of the hotel, including rooms and dining areas, are frequently highlighted by guests.
While the breakfast experience receives mixed reviews, many appreciate the extensive range of options and good quality of food, enjoying their meals against the splendid lake views. However, some guests note areas for improvement, such as better replenishment of items and a more varied selection. The dinner offerings also receive mixed feedback with some guests commending the quality of specific dishes and attentive service, while others report issues with food quality and service delays.
The rooms at Design Suites Calafate are consistently praised for their spaciousness, comfort and cleanliness. Guests enjoy the large windows offering uninterrupted views of the lake and appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and luxurious amenities. Minor updates, particularly with mattresses and pillows, are suggested by some guests, but the overall comfort and beauty of the rooms largely overshadow these concerns.
Cleanliness is a standout feature with visitors often mentioning the impeccable upkeep and modern architecture. However, there are occasional mentions of maintenance issues such as scratches and non-functional doors. The staff receive high praise for their politeness, friendliness and helpfulness with specific individuals often commended for their exceptional service.
The Wi-Fi service is noted to be inconsistent with some guests experiencing good connectivity while others face challenges, particularly in deluxe suites. The spa facilities also receive mixed reviews; while the massage services are highly rated, the sauna and overall maintenance are areas suggested for improvement. The pool is generally well-received for its warmth, beauty and scenic environment, though some guests report maintenance and temperature issues.
Beds are a mixed point with many guests finding them comfortable and spacious, while others note issues with old mattresses and bed configurations. Despite these mixed aspects, the overall comfort and aesthetic appeal of Design Suites Calafate, complemented by its serene location and excellent service, make it a commendable choice for travelers seeking relaxation and natural beauty in El Calafate. Show more
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Categories
Hotel for Honeymoon
This hotel is tagged as romantic. The modern design and amenities create a stylish and comfortable atmosphere, perfect for a honeymoon.
Hotel with Swimming Pool
This hotel offers a lovely indoor pool. The combination of comfort and design makes it a great choice for travelers seeking relaxation.
Indoor Pool
Business Hotel
While specific business amenities are not highlighted, the 'Suites' designation suggests larger rooms suitable for working. Its location in El Calafate makes it a convenient base for exploring the area after business.
Hotel with Parking
This hotel offers amazing views of Lago Argentino. It also has a health club, an indoor pool, and a sauna. It provides parking facilities for guests.
Hotel with Gym
Design Suites Calafate provides an indoor swimming pool, a sauna room and spa facilities. It offers a fitness amenity paired with elegant décor and spa options.
4-Star Hotel
Located on Calle 598, this hotel offers modern suites with unique designs. It provides a comfortable stay for design-conscious travelers.
Hotel with Indoor Pool
This hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, and comprehensive spa facilities, alongside a gym. A notable feature is that some suites include private spa baths or hydromassage tubs, enhancing the in-room relaxation experience. The hotel also provides magnificent views of Lake Argentino.
Boutique-style Hotel
Hotel with Spa
Romantic Hotel
Room Types
Standard RoomThis room offers a private bathroom with a hydromassage tub and features a queen-size bed or 2 single beds, free Wi-Fi, heating, flat-screen TV, minibar, safety deposit box, telephone, desk, hairdryer and special amenities.
This room does not allow extra beds.
StudioThis suite offers lake views, a private bathroom with a hydromassage tub, a queen-size bed or 2 single beds, free Wi-Fi, heating, flat-screen TV, minibar, safety deposit box, telephone, desk, hairdryer and special amenities.
1 extra bed can be accommodated.
Children older than 3 years old signify a surcharge of USD 60.5 per night and per person, and must stay in an extra bed.
Studio with Garden ViewThis suite offers scenic views, a private bathroom with a hydromassage tub, a queen-size bed or 2 single beds, free Wi-Fi, heating, flat-screen TV, minibar, safety deposit box, telephone, desk, hairdryer and special amenities.
1 extra bed and a baby cot can be accommodated.
Children older than 3 years old signify a surcharge of USD 60.5 per night and per person, and must stay in an extra bed.
Deluxe StudioThis suite offers lake views, a private bathroom with a hydromassage tub, a queen-size bed or 2 single beds, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, flat-screen TV, minibar, safety deposit box, telephone, desk, hairdryer and special amenities.
1 extra bed and a baby cot can be accommodated.
Children older than 3 years old signify a surcharge of USD 60.5 per night and per person, and must stay in an extra bed.
Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Location
Nestled just outside the bustling center of El Calafate, Design Suites Calafate boasts an idyllic setting that consistently impresses its guests. The hotel's prime location offers direct and breathtaking views over Lake Argentino, making it a tranquil retreat for those seeking stunning natural beauty and quiet surroundings. Visitors frequently praise the spectacular and privileged vistas from various parts of the hotel, including the rooms, the breakfast area and the bar. The architecture and overall beauty of the hotel complement the scenic lake views remarkably well.
While the hotel is a bit secluded—situated minutes away from the town center—the peace and panoramic lake views it offers are well worth the short drive. Guests often mention the convenience of renting a car or using the limited transfer services provided by the hotel to commute to and from the center of El Calafate. Despite the distance, the location remains highly favored for its serene atmosphere and the fantastic opportunities it provides for leisurely walks along the lake shore.
The combination of exceptional service, spacious and comfortable rooms and a phenomenal landscape makes Design Suites Calafate a highly recommended choice. The views from the lake-side rooms are repeatedly highlighted as a major strength, offering an almost unparalleled, serene escape. With its unbeatable location and extraordinary vistas, visitors find the stay rewarding and memorable, particularly for those in search of relaxation and natural beauty.
Breakfast
Design Suites Calafate offers a breakfast experience that primarily receives mixed reviews. Guests frequently highlight the extensive range of options, including eggs, bacon, yogurt, cereals, fruit, bread, cheese and ham, which many found to be well-served and very complete. Positive feedback points out the good quality of food with some delighted by the typical and tasty foods offered, as well as the fabulous, plentiful and super complete breakfast selections. A few also appreciated enjoying their morning meal with a splendid view of Lake Argentino.
However, there are significant areas of criticism that cannot be overlooked. Multiple reviews suggest that the breakfast could be more varied with better replenishment of juices and fresh items. Some guests found it quite basic and even comparable to airplane food, lacking significantly in fruit variety and quality. Particular concerns were raised about certain low-quality items, such as cold scrambled eggs and canned fruit salad.
Moreover, the cumbersome breakfast protocol, which includes having to sign up the day before or being charged extra for some items, detract from the overall experience. While the diverse and complete offerings at times meet expectations, there's a strong sentiment among guests that the breakfast doesn't quite align with the hotel's standard.
Dinner
The dining experience at Design Suites Calafate has received mixed reviews from guests. While some have praised the restaurant for being fabulous with very good quality food and attentive staff, others have had less favorable experiences. Many guests noted that the dinner, despite a limited lunch menu, featured excellent empanadas and good wines.
However, there are several recurring criticisms regarding the overall quality of the food with adjectives like "tolerable," "cold and tasteless," and "poor" frequently mentioned. The restaurant service, while occasionally highlighted for its dedication, also had moments of significant issues, including long delays and instances of particularly bad service from certain waitstaff. Despite these shortcomings, the potential for improvement is evident, as some aspects of the dining experience, like the massage service, were positively noted by guests.
Overall, while the atmosphere and a few dishes may stand out positively at Design Suites Calafate, many guests believe better dining options can be found in town.
Rooms
Design Suites Calafate offers spacious and comfortable rooms that guests consistently praise for their cleanliness and the breathtaking views of the lake. The large windows, often floor-to-ceiling, allow for an uninterrupted, panoramic view that many find to be a dreamy start to their day. The rooms come well-equipped, featuring generous space, well-maintained bathrooms and luxurious amenities like jacuzzi tubs.
Guests particularly appreciate the overall comfort of the rooms, highlighting their cleanliness and the soothing ambiance created by beautiful interior design. The architecture of the hotel itself often leaves a lasting impression with the room layouts maximizing the stunning lake views.
While most guests enjoy the serene and relaxed atmosphere, a few note that some rooms are showing signs of age and could use minor updates, specifically mentioning the mattress and pillows. Despite this, the positive aspects overwhelmingly dominate, making Design Suites Calafate a highly recommended destination for those seeking comfort, beauty and tranquility.
Beds
Design Suites Calafate receives varied feedback regarding its beds. Many guests commend the hotel for having comfortable and large beds with several mentioning the spaciousness and overall comfort of the mattresses. Clean linens also contribute positively to the bedding experience. Despite these positive remarks, there are notable drawbacks. Some guests experienced issues with old and worn-out spring mattresses and others were disappointed by the arrangement of two single beds pushed together instead of a true double bed. This sometimes caused dips in the middle of the mattress, detracting from comfort. Additionally, while comfort was a highlight for most, there were occasional reports of the beds being too hot. Overall, while the beds at Design Suites Calafate offer a generally comfortable experience, there are areas that would benefit from improvements to ensure consistency and meet all guests' expectations.
Cleanliness
Design Suites Calafate perhaps has one of the best reputations for cleanliness among its patrons. Visitors frequently highlight the hotel's meticulous upkeep with phrases like very clean and cosy, impeccable and very well cared for being commonly mentioned. Several reviews express satisfaction with the cleanliness of both the facilities and the spacious rooms.
Guests also appreciate the hotel's modern architecture and the stunning views of the lake, which seem to complement the overall aesthetic and cleanliness of the premises. The combination of cleanliness, comfort, well-maintained facilities and excellent organization creates a pleasant stay for travelers.
However, it's worth noting that a few guests mention the need for better maintenance, citing issues such as scratches on walls, non-functional doors and windows and other signs of wear. While these concerns do not overshadow the general sense of cleanliness, they do imply room for improvement in infrastructure upkeep.
Overall, the positive reviews about cleanliness combined with the hotel's other features make it a commendable choice for travelers seeking a comfortable and picturesque stay in Calafate.
Staff
Design Suites Calafate has garnered praise for its exceptional staff from various reviewers. Guests frequently highlight the politeness, friendliness and helpfulness of the front desk personnel. Key individuals such as Veronica, Jeremias, Sonia, Micaela, Patrícia, Sandra and Diego receive special mentions for their outstanding service and attention to detail, ensuring all requests and issues are promptly resolved. The service quality extends to all areas of the hotel, from reception and housekeeping to the bar and restaurant.
Reviewers emphasize the personalized treatment and excellent service they received throughout their stay, pointing out the staff's efficiency and attentiveness. Problems, such as room issues, were efficiently handled, leading to seamless and satisfactory experiences. The overall cleanliness and amenities of the hotel complement the top-tier service provided by the staff, making the personnel the standout feature of Design Suites Calafate.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi at Design Suites Calafate receives mixed reviews from guests with many encountering challenges during their stay. While some guests noted that the Wi-Fi was very good and worked very well at times, others experienced issues such as the signal not reaching certain rooms, particularly the deluxe suites. Several reviews indicate that the Wi-Fi was often poor, unreliable or even unusable, suggesting that connectivity can be inconsistent. Additionally, it is mentioned that mobile data and Wi-Fi signals in the entire Calafate area can be generally weak, which might affect guests' experiences even outside the hotel premises.
Spa
Design Suites Calafate offers a spa experience that has garnered mixed reviews. Guests praise the spa for its beautiful views, which enhance the relaxation atmosphere. The massage services stand out as a highlight, frequently described as spectacular, wonderful and very good. Many visitors found the couple’s massages particularly pleasing.
However, several aspects of the spa have room for improvement. The facilities, while nice, are considered basic by some guests. The sauna often did not meet expectations with reports of it being small, non-operational or entirely run down. Additionally, the spa area sometimes felt uninviting and was described as completely unattended on occasion. Guests mentioned that the spa operates on a reservation system which only allows for an hour of use, adding a layer of inconvenience.
In essence, while the massage services at Design Suites Calafate’s spa are well-received and offer a degree of luxury, the sauna facilities and overall maintenance could benefit from enhancements to meet the expectations of all guests.
Pool
The pool at Design Suites Calafate generally receives positive remarks for its warmth and beautiful views. Guests consistently describe the pool as beautiful, excellent, very nice and cozy, making it a pleasant spot to relax after a day of exploring. The pool’s scenic environment wins a lot of praise, often being highlighted as deserving all the stars.
However, there are some mixed feedback regarding maintenance and temperature. A few guests mentioned the pool was undergoing repairs or needing work. Some felt the pool wasn’t warm enough, while others found it extremely hot. Issues with the sauna not heating up and the hot tub being out of order were also noted.
Overall, despite minor setbacks, the pool remains a favored feature due to its aesthetic appeal and the comfort it provides.
Yes, Design Suites Calafate has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Indoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Design Suites Calafate.
No, Design Suites Calafate doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Design Suites Calafate.