Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza

Location

Framed by the Andes and surrounded by some of Argentina’s finest wineries, this pretty lodge is idyllically located on a 55 acre vineyard just a half-hour drive south of Mendoza. Although the city grabs the headlines for its lively plazas, gurgling fountains and leafy avenues, heading out into the countryside rewards with horse rides, skiing, white water rafting and, yes, wine tastings. Zip line, hike or climb up to 9,000 feet or simply enjoy the 320 days of sun a year that the Mendoza region gets.

Accommodation

Like many of the world’s best hotels, Cavas is boutique with just 18 luxury, adobe rooms and villas. Each faces the Andes to pretty sunsets and starry nights best viewed from your large private deck. Inside, king beds, wood burning stoves and spa-style bathrooms with vintage soaking tubs make for cosy stays. A twice-daily housekeeping service keeps things ticking over. Back outside, each room comes with a plunge pool along with a private outdoor shower and open-air fireplace. For that bit extra, villas come with wine coolers, hot tubs, satellite TV, upstairs terraces and oversized baths.

Dining

Further highlights are provided by the superb restaurant, which showcases organically grown local ingredients in a dinner menu that changes daily and a lunch menu that follows the quarterly seasons. Perhaps tuck into a salmon and shrimp ceviche complete with a heart of palm cream and roasted bell peppers or, if you can’t choose, there’s a trio of blood sausage, baby goat and quinoa empanadas. There’s also an excellent degustation menu expertly paired with the best local vintages.

Facilities

Spend the afternoon sampling summer sauvignon and rounded blends from the estate’s vineyard before settling into a treatment at the excellent spa. One of the more unique sessions available is the wine therapy; guests are invited to soak in bubbling water enriched with vine extracts before grape seed oils are used to scrub and moisturise skin. There are, however, more traditional sessions available in deep tissue, hot stone and four hand massages while full spa days and facials are also available. Additionally, there’s a range of beauty treatments available – bookable in advance – along with a sports room, dry sauna and yoga lessons, held on the privacy of your deck.