Estancia La Bamba de Areco

Set within 600 private acres of vast pampas wilderness, Estancia La Bamba de Areco is one of the oldest family-run working estancias in all of Argentina and a Relais & Chateaux property to boot.

Retaining the ambience of a cosy private home yet harnessing the gaucho traditions that make estancias so magical, the colonial-style property is encompassed by plane trees and comprised of a series of houses, a traditional stable, an al fresco pool, and a few friendly estate dogs for good measure. With all meals included, guests can tuck in to the chef’s legendary crepes with dulce de leche and partake in an authentic Argentine asado washed down with wine.

Its 11 intimate rooms, all featuring hardwood floors and whitewashed walls, are decorated with colourful local textiles and original equine artworks and afford views over the grounds and its grazing horses. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the estancia is La Pulperia, a shadowy and atmospheric refurbished 18th-century inn-turned-lounge where guests can gather to swill Malbec, delve into a novel, or chat to a gaucho by the open fire.