Hotel Boutique Monasterio, Bariloche: A Lakeside Retreat on the Slopes of Cerro Otto
Hotel Boutique Monasterio sits on the hillside above Bariloche, on the lower slopes of Cerro Otto, with lake views from every room and the kind of quiet that the town centre cannot offer.
It is a small, well-run property with a heated pool overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake, a spa, and accommodation options that range from junior suites to fully equipped forest cabins. The setting is the central appeal — but the service and the breakfast are fantastic too.
Location
The hotel is 4.5 km from Bariloche’s centre and 15 km from Cerro Catedral ski resort, on a gravel access road that adds to the sense of seclusion. A car is essential — the hotel is not walkable to the town or the main circuit, though the Cerro Otto cable car is 300 metres away on foot. Bariloche Airport is 15 km distant.
The surrounding area is quiet and green, close to Avenida de los Pioneros where a small supermarket and commercial premises cover basic needs. The road to the hotel is steep and narrow in places — if you are driving something large or without all-wheel drive, approach carefully.
Rooms
Accommodation comes in four categories. Junior Suites are around 32 square metres with a king or twin configuration, Jacuzzi bathroom, and lake views. Duplexes sleep up to five across two floors — king bedroom and Jacuzzi upstairs, living-dining room and a second bathroom downstairs, with a fully equipped kitchen including electric hob, grill oven, fridge, kettle, and coffee maker.
Triple and Quadruple Forest Cabins offer the most independent experience, with kitchens, wood-burning fireplaces in the quadruple, and private outdoor space. All categories have 32-inch LED television, minibar, safe, and central heating.
The cabins and duplexes are the best choice for families or longer stays — the kitchen facilities and outdoor grilling areas give you the flexibility to eat in when you want to. A minimum two-night stay applies to duplexes and cabins.
Rooms are spacious, well-heated, and comfortable. Sound insulation between rooms is weak and worth knowing if you are a light sleeper.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is included and served in the restaurant with lake views — regional jams, pastries – one of the best breakfasts you can have on your Patagonia trip.
The restaurant does not open for dinner as a regular service, though delivery can be arranged, and the duplex and cabin kitchens make self-catering straightforward.
Facilities and Service
The heated pool with its lake panorama is the hotel’s highlight — bathrobes are provided for the walk from room to pool. The spa offers massages, body and facial treatments, sauna, and a Scottish shower. A gym completes the wellness offer. There is a barbecue area for guests, free Wi-Fi throughout, and free uncovered parking.
Service is warm and genuinely attentive. The boutique scale — few rooms, no crowds — means the attention you receive feels personal.
Pros and Cons
✔ Lake views from every room and from the heated pool
✔ Exceptional setting on the slopes of Cerro Otto — quiet and green
✔ Four accommodation types including fully equipped cabins with wood-burning fireplaces
✔ Outstanding breakfast with lake views and regional products
✔ Fast, attentive maintenance and front desk service
✔ Spa, sauna, gym, and barbecue area on site
✔ Free parking and free Wi-Fi
✔ 300 metres from the Cerro Otto cable car
✘ A car is essential — the hotel is not walkable to town
✘ Access road is gravel, steep, and narrow in places
✘ Sound insulation between rooms is poor
✘ Building shows some age and wear in places
✘ No regular dinner service — self-catering or delivery only in the evenings
Overall
Hotel Boutique Monasterio earns its reputation through a combination of setting, service, and the right kind of scale. The lake view from the pool is one of the better things Bariloche has to offer, the cabins work beautifully for families, and the staff look after you in a way that larger hotels in the town centre rarely manage. Bring a car, book a cabin or duplex if you are staying more than one night, and make time for the spa after a day on the mountain.