Grace Cafayate

Three hours from Salta, in the tiny Andean town of Cafayate, the new Grace Cafayate strikes the perfect balance between local and global.

• Horseback riding through the sand dunes on property
• Easy access to local wineries, as well as hiking trails
• Empanada cooking classes offered on property with the hotel’s chef

Part of an affluent development, the Grace is surrounded by championship-level golf courses, vineyards and fields for horseback riding and polo. The hotel itself is modern, with a design scheme that features sleek leather headboards, stone fireplaces, glass coffee tables and spacious bathrooms. Guests can take advantage of the spa, the gym and such events as asado dinners in the clubhouse. A five-minute drive from the Grace Cafayate is Bodega El Provenir, a high-end winery that has vineyards all over the Salta region.

In addition to the rooms in the main building, the hotel also has several freestanding villas, all of which have two stories and a kitchen area, making them an ideal option for families.

While Grace is the best luxury option in the area, the hotel is still going through some growing pains. One of the main issues is that getting from the lobby to the clubhouse or spa requires a golf cart transfer and the hotel doesn’t currently have a system in place to coordinate this for guests. For the time being, the best bet is to call well in advance to see if a golf cart is available before making plans. Communication can also be a bit of a challenge for non-Spanish speaking visitors as few staff members knowing English. However, everyone is always eager to please and can usually find someone to assist.

Couples, families and groups of friend who will appreciate the resort style amenities and can be forgiving of the kinks.