{Destination Spotlight on} Las Balsas Resort
Because no bride can do all the legwork for an international wedding-moon herself,we’ve been scouring the globe for you, seeking out picture-perfect retreats around the world. With so many intriguing locations to consider, picking a winner for this issue wasn’t easy. But in the end, one destination really stood out: Argentina. Home of the sensual tango, exceptional vineyards, and some of the world’s highest mountain peaks, this often-overlooked SouthAmerican gem exudes romance. Nature’s splendor seems to shine more brightly here, creating a perfect
setting to make destination-wedding dreams a reality.
Located on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Las Balsas Hotel and Resort offers opulent accommodations and luxury amenities. A member of Relais & Chateaux (an elite association of the world’s most luxurious hotels), the resort was the first in Argentina to receive the group’s prestigious Welcome Trophy award for its masterful service,
charm, and noteworthy cuisine. In addition, Las Balsas has been recognized by the World Travel Awards program as the best spa resort in South America.
While Las Balsas is exclusive, with only 12 guest rooms and three suites, it emanates a genuine warmth amid the grandeur. Every room offers a view of the lake, and many afford a glimpse of the surrounding forest and an awe-inspiring view of the Andes Mountains. Here, the elegant guest quarters aren’t carbon copies of one another;
instead, rooms at Las Balsas have personalities as individual as their guests, with carefully selected furnishings (one suite boasts a bookcase made from a canoe) that marry contemporary chic with the rustic warmth of hand-hewn treasures, along with color palettes unique to each room.
Everywhere you turn, the lodge offers little getaways for couples to relax and take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape. From the warm blaze of the living room’s magnificent fireplace to the soft piano music in the background, you’re immersed in a sensuous space sure to set the tone for a wedding-moon that is full of romance. To take relaxation to the next level, guests can indulge in some pampering at the lodge’s spa. Whether you opt for the warmth of a Scottish bath or the restorative delights of a shiatsu, Thai, or Ayurvedic massage, Las Balsas offers a panoramic array of options to knead out any lingering wedding-planning knots.
Not least of its attractions, Las Balsas has culinary delights to tempt even the most discerning guests. Gastronomes and oenophiles will find the resort a veritable nirvana. The resort’s acclaimed restaurant offers signature dishes of internationally renowned chef Pablo Campoy, and the wine cellar holds over 2,500 bottles produced by more than 160 winemakers.
In this serene retreat beneath the peaks of the Andes, you’ll find that the space between heaven and earth isn’t quite as vast as you might have imagined.
