Hacienda

El Colibri evokes the height of colonial grandeur with classic features from the eye-catching, white-washed façade to the lofty arches and is furnished throughout with antique furniture and carefully chosen period pieces. Home comforts meet refined elegance in the beautiful rooms and suites, all equipped with a wood-burning fireplace, satellite TV, DVD player and free Wi-Fi Internet access. The in-house “La Table” restaurant gives local flavours and regional dishes pride of place with ma...

Dating back to the first Jesuit settlers in the late 16th century, Estancia Los Potreros is now owned by the Anglo-Argentine Begg family and offers a slice of authentic estancia life and some of the finest riding in all Argentina. Each day, guests head out to explore the countryside, cantering along grassy hilltops; taking a dip in natural rock pools; visiting local churches on horseback or helping out the gauchos on the ranch. The ranch caters to beginners and experts alike and no visit woul...

Dating back to the turn of the 20th century, Rincon Chico is a charming, family-run estancia and working sheep ranch within the wildife wonderland of the Valdes Peninsula. Elegant and stylish, the estancia retains its traditional character and exudes warmth throughout from its handsome wraparound veranda to the intimate, living spaces. There are no mod cons, Rincon Chico runs off a combination of wind-power and diesel generator, disconnected from the outside world. Rincon Chico is among the v...

El Ombu de Areco is a 750-acre working estancia dedicated to breeding Hereford and Aberdeen Angus cattle. At its heart sits an historic, stately mansion built in 1880 and presiding majestically over a magnificent, 10 acre park which features centennial oaks, araucarias (monkey-puzzle trees) and eucalyptus trees. The colonial façade reflects el Ombu’s rich heritage and the estancia is furnished throughout with antique heirlooms and period decor. The restaurant offers a mix of international ...

Dating back to the 1830’s, Estancia La Bandada is a charming, family owned estancia, that retains its historic yet homely character throughout with charming colonial furniture and family heirlooms. The spacious grounds offer a haven of tranquillity away from the city while the impressive pool is ringed with sun loungers, ideal for relaxing in the afternoon sun. In the evening guests gather around the crackling fireplace in the lounge or retire to the formal elegance of the library or games ...

Rising from the ashes of the historic Estancia La Rosa, Patios de Cafayate threw open its doors in 2005 charmingly restored to its former glory. Colonial splendour reigns throughout from elegant, antique furniture and silverwork to the handcrafted wool carpets and pretty cobbled patios. The rooms merge home comforts and traditional decor and overlook the gardens or rolling vines. The elegant restaurant offers fine dining with traditional regional dishes including goat and even llama accompani...

The Estancia Cristina is remote, wonderful and unique and offers an insight into the original pioneers who settled the land. That said, services and technology are limited but those looking for peace and tranquillity – once the day-trippers have left – you can fully appreciate the beauty and isolation of Patagonia.

Eolo is an excellent luxury option in Calafate and includes guided walking, riding and biking within their rates. Standard visits to the Perito Moreno Glacier and boat trips on Lago Argentino are at additional cost and for this reason, the ranch would suit longer 3-4 night stays to make the most of the superb activities on offer.

Set amidst 500 acres of native forest against a backdrop of majestic snow-capped peaks, Estancia Peuma Hue embodies the very spirit of Argentina’s Lake District. Its very name “place of dreams” in Mapuche captures the area beautifully and the estancia offers all manner of activities from walking, riding, bird-watching and kayaking to simply relaxing amidst the scenery or taking advantage of the sauna, hot tub and massages. It is on the expensive side but the majestic setting and charmin...

Nestled amidst the lush hills overlooking the market town of Otavalo, Las Palmeras Inn is an attractive 150 year-old hacienda set in picturesque gardens under the shade of towering palm trees. The property retains its colonial heritage with thick, white-washed adobe walls topped with terracotta tiles. A sweeping veranda overlooks the perennial gardens abounding with hibiscus, bougainvillea and orchids which attract an impressive array of hummingbirds and vermilion fly-catchers. Las Palmeras i...

Hacienda Zuleta is an historic, working ranch dating back to the 17th century, owned and managed by the descendants of former president Galo Plaza Lasso. Zuleta retains its old-world charm with its picturesque architecture wrapped within an open veranda awash with flowers that sweeps around the huge, cobbled courtyard. Inside, thick, white-washed adobe walls topped with terracotta tiles are furnished throughout with antique furniture and family heirlooms. There is good walking, biking and bir...

The Hacienda Pinsaqui is an historic, colonial estate and once textile workshop dating back to 1790 which has been lovingly restored, retaining its colonial charm amidst lush, tropical gardens. Beautiful adobe walls awash with flowers overlook the central, cobbled courtyard and fountain while inside the hacienda is decorated throughout with family heirlooms and antique wooden furniture. Activities range from walking, riding and biking to visiting the surrounding villages famous for their hand...

Hacienda Cusin is a beautiful, colonial estate dating back to the 17th century awash with old-world charm. Lush bougainvillea cloaks the cobbled courtyards while terracotta tiles and white-washed walls give way to sweeping staircases, balconies and verandas which overlook the picturesque gardens. Inside, antique furniture, regional textiles and classic period decor complete the picture and reveal a rich slice of Ecuador’s colonial history. The hacienda offers good, walking, riding and mount...

Dating back to the 17th century, Hacienda La Cienega is a living musuem to the colonial history of Ecuador and has hosted a heady range of important dignitaries throughout its colourful history from the explorer Alexander Humboldt to the South American liberator himself, Simon Bolivar. The hacienda retains its traditional character with grand, colonial architecture encircling a splendid courtyard awash with tropical trees and plants. Sweeping, white-washed corridors lead off to a maze of high...

The Hacienda el Porvenir is a traditional, working ranch on the edge of the Cotopaxi National Park. Perched at 3600m above the sea-level, it commands captivating views of the surrounding volcanoes and enjoys a rich heritage in raising Andean fighting bulls. Constructed with local materials with thick “estera” adobe walls topped with traditional thatch, the hacienda blends seamlessly into the environment and provides a warm, cosy atmosphere for guests. Above all, El Porvenir is renowned fo...

The San Agustin de Callo is a sumptuous colonial hacienda and once Augustinian convent built on the ruins of a 15th century Inca palace. Exquisite Inca masonry blends seamlessly with the cobbled courtyard and sweeping colonial architecture while inside, the hacienda is decorated throughout with an eclectic mix of antique furniture, colourful artwork and local textiles. Steeped in history, San Agustin offers a unique slice of Ecuador and is a wonderful base to explore the breathtaking Cotopaxi...

Colonial history amidst Mayan wonder, the Hacienda Chichen dates back to 1523 and is a unique boutique hotel at the foot of Chichen Itza. Set amidst 300 acres of lush tropical gardens, it provides the ideal base for exploring the complex and even housed the original excavation team who worked on Chichen Itza in the 1920’s, archaeologists whose names were later given to the hotel rooms. The guestroom cottages are dotted throughout the colourful gardens. The décor is rustic yet elegant; tile...

Hacienda Xcanatun (or “Tall Stone House” in Mayan) is a charming, luxury boutique hotel that rose from the shell of an 18th century sisal factory. The bulk of the estate has long been lost to development yet the surrounding nine acres have been beautifully transformed into lush tropical gardens replete with tinkling fountains, cascading bougainvillea and ponds. The hotel itself retains its original character and has been beautifully furnished throughout with handsome period décor includi...

Temozon pays homage to the great Spanish estates of old, a sumptuous 17th century colonial hacienda and once sisal plantation set amidst 86 acres of picturesque grounds and surrounding jungle. Beautifully restored with sweeping arches, tiled patios and original period fittings behind an eye-catching coral façade, it is Temozon’s size and grandeur sets it apart from its contemporaries. The rooms and suites blend period elegance with modern technology and occupy the former out-buildings. Eve...

Experience colonial splendour at the wonderful Hacienda Santa Rosa! From the entrance, a tree lined avenue leads through magnificent grounds to the striking main-house that harks back to the golden era of sisal production in the Yucatan. Once home to the nobleman Jose Dolores Guzman, Santa Rosa retains its splendid historic architecture yet has been carefully restored to its former glory. Vibrant colonial facades combine with elegant arches, tropical gardens and beautiful period furniture to ...

The Hacienda Merida dates back to 1840, a charming and historic boutique hotel at the heart of colonial Merida. Behind the thickset colonial walls, the city buzz quickly evaporates as you are welcomed by tranquil cloistered courtyards and cool, spacious interiors all under high beamed ceilings. Despite a well-stocked bar, there is no dining facility although guests can nip across to the Hacienda’s sister-hotel (Hotel Hacienda VIP) just next door or take advantage of Merida’s excellent res...

Small, intimate and gorgeous, Hacienda San Jose retains its heady old-world charm with crumbling ruins set amidst beautifully restored verandahs and gardens. At the heart of the estate, the original chapel takes pride of place while the adjoining out-buildings have been lovingly restored and given bright splashes of colour from royal blue to lemon. Through 10-foot wooden double doors, the 15 guestrooms shelter under 18-foot ceilings with exposed beams and rafters and merge colonial elegance �...

The Hacienda Urubamba is a wonderful addition to the Sacred Valley, a lodge that exudes charm and warmth not to mention a long record of social and environmental awareness. Its design draws on the region’s rich colonial and Andean heritage and takes advantage of locally sourced materials and techniques synonymous with the company’s socially responsible ethos. Huge windows capture the wonderful views while the impressive lobby sets the tone for light-filled spaces set beneath lofty wood-be...