El Casco Art Hotel Resort

Located in one of the most beautiful spots in Patagonia, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, EL CASCO ART HOTEL blends with the landscape, with its fine architecture, amenities and the latest technology.

During the 1970s and for 20 years, El Casco was a famous hotel by the lake; it brought tourists from all over the world, not only due to its privileged location but also because of its atmosphere and the European glamour that its hospitable founders, Alfred and Ruth von Ellrichshausen managed to impart.

Located fifteen minutes from the city of Bariloche, the first building was built in the image and likeness of the Cala di Volpe hotel in Sardinia, one of the many places that the von Ellrichshausen family, German aristocrats who emigrated to Argentina during the second half of the 20th Century, used to frequent during their holidays. After many successful seasons, El Casco was sold, and Ruth kept a house adjacent to the hotel, which she occupies up to this day. The property went through various owners and finally closed its doors for seven years, until it was purchased by Ignacio Gutierrez Zaldivar.

The redesigning project was carried out by the arquitect Julio Coccifi, and the new building has been built within a classic but contemporary style. Even though the only thing that remains of the previous Casco is an iron and wooden spiral staircase, those in charge of the project have preserved the spirit given to the building by its original owners.

The decor by Julio Oropel stands out by its sobriety, the furniture being so well distributed that it does not compete with the works of art, the hotel’s distinctive characteristic. In fact, the refurnished EL CASCO was conceived as an Art Hotel, and it has a collection of 300 paintings and sculptures of Argentine art.

Each of the thirty-three rooms has splendid views of the lake, which is only 40 metres away. They are decorated with paintings bearing the artist’s name, so the guest may choose the Fader, Bertani, Quirós or Soldi suite, the last one being the biggest (1184 square feet, including a terrace facing the lake).

The design of the Park was entrusted to the engineer Carlos Thays, great grandson of the famous French arquitect and landscape designer who arrived to Argentina in 1889 and was responsible for such works as the Tres de Febrero Park, the Botanical Gardens and the Lezama Park. The EL CASCO gardens, especially created by Thays, are decorated with nine sculptures by the most important sculptor of our country: Pablo Curatella Manes.

The Health Club has two massage and treatment rooms. In addition, the club offers facial treatments, relaxation massage, lymphatic drainage with hot stones and muds from Patagonia, changing rooms and saunas, Jet showers, Finn bath, and a hairdressing salon. It also includes a complete gym and there is a jacuzzi outside on the terrace. The heated swimming pool has a fantastic view of the garden and the Nahuel Huapi lake.

The Restaurant is connected to the hotel through the Wine Bar, decorated with works by Ernesto Bertani. It also has an independent entrance. It holds up to 70 guests and its menu was designed by Fernando Trocca (Executive Chef) and Martin Erkekdjian (Resident Chef). It offers Gourmet Cuisine, using fresh produce from the area, and some dishes are based on recipes by the Ellrichshausen baroness.

The Cellar has 600 bottles of the best hundred national wineries and it includes some imported champagne labels. The guest can choose his or her wine with the help of our sommelier.  The Cocktail Menu is unique, the result of months of work by our bartender, Renato Giovanoni, who has created 20 new drinks alluding to artists and their pictorial style.

Our guests can choose to sail on the Nahuel Huapi or go fishing on board the Caleu-Caleu, our wooden 15-metres long boat.  Located at the 11.5 Km of Bustillo Avenue, 15 minutes from the city of Bariloche, as well as 15 minutes from the most important Ski resort, Cerro Catedral, EL CASCO Art Hotel offers a unique opportunity to experience art as well as nature.

Art and shimmering water views command your attention at El Casco Art Hotel, located in the Patagonian lake district. Gorgeous guestrooms look onto Nahuel Huapi Lake and feature works from the hotel’s collection of 475 paintings and sculptures by Argentine artists. Golf on one of three nearby courses, or stay on-site and enjoy the hotel’s sculpture gardens, its spa and the health club, with its heated swimming pool overlooking the lake. Fresh gourmet cuisine highlighting local produce awaits in the waterfront restaurant. In addition, there is a wine bar and the 1,700-bottle Cava, featuring world-class wine.

For a minimum two-night stay, you can book the all-inclusive program, which features airport transfers, meals, open bar and even special half- and full-day activities.Distance from Bariloche Airport (BRC): 30 minutes