This hotel was booked as part of a patagonian package and we needed a place to stay in Ushuaia before boarding Mare Australis expedition cruise. We nearly walked out - the place is dismal, tattered, unwelcoming, beds that roll (single), chipped paint, and no english speaking people to speak of. It is one step above a flop house - moderately clean, and functional but hasn't been updated since the 50's and was a downer in our otherwise marvelous Patagonian journey.

My wife and I stayed here between 2nd January 2007 and 5th January 2007 (3 nights).

We were very impressed with this hotel, much better than the 5 star hotel in Buenos Aires that we had been staying in prior to arrival in Ushuaia.

The hotel's location is perfect - couldn't be more central. The room was large and clean and had a great view out across the Beagle. The bed was huge.

On our third and final night we decided to take dinner in the hotel's restaurant - and what a great decision that turned out to be. Not only was the cost of dinner cheaper than most restaurants in town, I had the best bife de lomo (fillet steak) that I have had in the whole of Argentina (and I travel to Argentina frequently, as my wife is Argentine). Seriously impressive!

The staff were all very polite and professional, and they let us use the hotel's facilities for the whole day after checking out as our flight wasn't until the night.

We definately recommend this hotel and would stay here again if we ever re-visit Ushuaia.

The hotel is very well located on this street that parallels the channel, overlooking the cruise ship docks and many artisans stalls. It's a two-block walk up to the main commercial street with its many tourist shops and cafes.

The breakfast room overlooks the harbour, and offers a really good buffet. The same room is the evening dining room, though since it opens for dinner at 8 p.m., I had always eaten earlier, elsewhere.

There's free internet at one high speed computer in a nook across the lobby/bar opposite the dining room. Spa services (facials,massages etc) are in house, though they were fully booked so I could not get an appointment. The pool and sauna on the same floor looked very nice, and I noticed several others making good use of them.


There are several museums within a few blocks of the hotel in this very walkable town. The 5-star hotels are several miles away up the mountainside near the ski hill. (Hint: Get a cab to get close to the glacier and save the tour cost.) It struck me that, when the clouds roll in as they so often do, their wonderful view is just fluffy white mists.

The town itself is Resort Town, Anywhere. Several other travellers from other countries offered the same opinion: You go to Ushuaia enroute to Cape Horn or Antartctic cruises (there's definitely a pecking order, the Big A having more currency), or just to say you have been there.

The traffic outside the windows that open goes on well into the late eveining, so you have to weigh the interesting and changeable view (my choice) or peace and quiet. Take ear plugs. (The Albatross is next door=same problem.) Many cars in town are in need of mufflers and more mature drivers with a lighter touch on the gas pedal.

I would stay here again, in the rare event that I ever make a return trip, and would recommend the hotel to my friends.