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Mendoza, Argentina
Imagine a morning of wine tasting in Mendoza then climbing onto a seaplane and flying over the Andes Mountains. Land on a picturesque lake for a picnic lunch then fly back to your hotel for an in-suite massage followed by a gourmet dinner (paired with the region’s best wines) just steps away from your room. All of this can be part of your extraordinary getaway at the newly opened SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites — a must visit luxury-destination in the heart of Argentina’s wine country.
The ’SB’ in SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is Susana Balbo who is a legend in Argentina’s wine world. She was the first woman in the country to earn a degree in enology as well as the first female winemaker, opened her own winery in 2001, served multiple terms as President of Wines of Argentina and was even elected to the country’s congress. Most importantly she makes some of the region’s best wines. Working alongside her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is her first foray into the luxury hotel space.
Located about twenty five minutes from downtown Mendoza in Chacras de Coria, the hotel features seven suites on a private estate setting — though they are more like your own casita — all featuring large open bedroom/living rooms, steam room, sensations shower, massage table and egg-shaped deep tub — which can be filled with hot water and aromatherapy treatments as part of your turn down service. Four of the rooms are also equipped with saunas. Each suite also has private outdoor space with fire pit and lounge chairs. The layout allows the suites to feel secluded though the property is quite cozy — once you step outside your door you are steps away from the pool and main building.
The hotel’s restaurant La VidA, located in the main building, turns classic Argentinian cuisine into a gastronomical experience from Chef Flavia Amad who divides her menu into playful categories such as ‘Roots,’ “Branches,’ ‘Flowers’ and even ‘Parasites’ (don’t worry it’s only mushrooms and corn miso). Dinner guests can opt for a la carte menu as well as four or seven-course tasting menus. And for a special experience there is the Chef’s Table 14-course dinner in a private room that overlooks the kitchen. All the meals can be paired with wines from Susana Balbo as well as other top wineries.
But to truly enjoy the cuisine here you’re going to have to keep two nights free: one for the restaurant and one for a classic outdoor Argentinian ‘Asado’ grill night as you dine under the stars with empanadas, sausages and delicious meats cooked on open flames in front of you.
One of the most unique factors about SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites is they have a private seaplane and pilot that can tailor custom itineraries for guests. Spend the day flying over Mendoza vineyards and the Andes Mountains and experience the beauty of the area along scenic routes you won’t see from a commercial aircraft. Landing on an otherwise inaccessible lake for a private picnic and having the beautiful scenery all to yourself is a one-of-a-kind experience. And for the truly adventurous you can also plan multi-day trips to places like Esteros del Iberá and Patagonia as well — when was the last time your hotel flew you to another region for a few nights?
