Last updated July 12, 2026

The calm waters of Bahía Redonda near El Calafate, with distant mountains and the edge of town visible along the far shore

Fernando de Gorocica / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

El Calafate

Where to Stay in Costanera, El Calafate

Costanera refers to the lakefront stretch of El Calafate — hotels and apart-hotels positioned along or near the shore of Bahía Redonda and Lago Argentino, from the western end of Avenida del Libertador where it meets the water, to hillside properties east and south of downtown with wider lake views. It's a smaller, quieter alternative to Centro's main strip, generally geared toward travelers who value views and calm over being steps from restaurants.

What it's actually like to stay here

Quieter and more residential than Centro, with hotel gardens, lake views, and birdlife along the shore near Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve rather than shopfronts and tour buses; some Costanera properties sit far enough from downtown that they run their own shuttle service.

Stay here if

Best for couples and travelers who prioritize lake views, quiet, and a slower pace, and who don't mind a short walk or drive to reach Centro's restaurants and tour agencies — a number of Costanera's hotels are among the more upscale properties in town.

Stay elsewhere if

Consider Centro instead if you'd rather walk to a wide choice of restaurants and tour agencies each day than rely on a hotel shuttle or a short drive.

Walkability
Mixed — some Costanera hotels near the western end of Avenida del Libertador are a 10-15 minute walk from Centro's restaurants, while others sit 3-4 km further out on hillsides or along the lakeshore and are only practical by hotel shuttle, taxi, or car.
Noise at night
Quiet, especially at hotels away from the main avenue — mostly birdsong and wind off the lake rather than traffic, with little of Centro's daytime bustle.

Best Hotels in Costanera, El Calafate

Xelena Hotel & Suites

★★★★★
  • ✨ Best luxury

Our take El Calafate's flagship lakefront resort — a genuine full-service property built around its Lago Argentino views, for travelers who'd rather stay directly on the water than walk to downtown restaurants each night.

Good for

  • Luxury travelers
  • Couples

Couples and luxury travelers who want a full-service resort-style stay directly on the lake, with a spa and multiple dining options on site, and who don't mind a shuttle ride into downtown for restaurants and tour agencies.

Why we like it

  • Directly on the shore of Lago Argentino, with many rooms designed around the lake view
  • A full spa with an indoor pool, sauna, and Turkish baths — a genuine wellness offering rather than a token gym
  • Several distinct dining venues on site, useful given the distance from downtown's restaurants
  • A free, hourly shuttle into Centro, so the distance from downtown doesn't mean being stranded without a car

What to know

  • Several kilometers from downtown's restaurants and tour agencies — plan around the shuttle schedule or a taxi rather than walking
  • Among the most expensive hotels in El Calafate, reflecting its resort-style scale and amenities
Check availability on Booking.com

Imago Hotel & Spa

★★★★★
  • 🤫 Best for a quiet stay

Our take A peaceful, wellness-focused retreat a short drive from downtown — quieter and more removed than Centro's hotels, with a spa built for unwinding after a day at the glacier.

Good for

  • Luxury travelers
  • Couples

Couples and luxury travelers who want a quiet, spa-focused stay with lake views, and who are comfortable relying on the hotel's shuttle rather than walking into town.

Why we like it

  • Large windows in many rooms designed around the Lago Argentino view
  • A genuine spa with a massage room, sauna, and Turkish baths, well suited to resting up after a long glacier excursion
  • Free shuttle transfers to and from Centro, so the distance from downtown doesn't require a rental car
  • Quieter and more removed from town than Centro's hotels, appealing if you'd rather not be near the bustle of the main avenue

What to know

  • About 4 km from downtown — a roughly 10-minute drive or an hour's walk, so plan around the shuttle schedule or a taxi
  • Among the pricier hotels in El Calafate, reflecting its spa and resort-style setting
Check availability on Booking.com

Alto Calafate Hotel Patagonico

★★★★
  • ❤️ Best for couples

Our take A scenic hillside choice at the edge of town — its panoramic lake and mountain views and two pools make it a memorable base for travelers who prioritize the view over walking distance to Centro.

Good for

  • Couples
  • Luxury travelers

Couples who want a scenic, hillside hotel with panoramic views of Lago Argentino and Cerro Calafate, and who don't mind relying on a shuttle or short drive to reach downtown restaurants.

Why we like it

  • A hillside setting with panoramic views of Lago Argentino and Cerro Calafate from many rooms and public areas
  • Two heated pools, a spa, and a health club — more resort-style amenities than most Centro hotels offer
  • An on-site restaurant serving Patagonian lamb, useful given the distance from downtown's restaurants
  • A free shuttle into town, so the hillside location doesn't require a rental car

What to know

  • About a 10-minute drive from downtown — not a practical walk, so plan around the shuttle schedule or a taxi
  • Its 103 rooms and event facilities mean it can feel busier than a smaller boutique property at times
Check availability on Booking.com

Mirador del Lago Apart Hotel

★★★★
  • 🧳 Best for longer stays

Our take A calmer, lake-facing alternative to Centro's busier stretch of Avenida del Libertador — close enough to walk to downtown, but with the view and quiet of a Costanera property.

Good for

  • Couples
  • First-time visitors

Couples and first-time visitors who want lake views and a quieter, more residential stretch of Avenida del Libertador, while staying an easy walk from Centro's restaurants and tour agencies.

Why we like it

  • Faces Lago Argentino directly, with roughly half its rooms offering lake views
  • A lounge with a fireplace overlooking the lake, a comfortable spot to unwind after a day at the glacier
  • About 15 minutes' walk from Centro's main intersection — close enough to walk, but quieter than the busiest stretch of the avenue
  • An apartment-style layout that suits travelers who want more space than a standard hotel room

What to know

  • Not all rooms have lake views — request one directly if that matters to you
  • Being at the western end of Avenida del Libertador means a slightly longer walk to Centro's bus terminal and busiest restaurant strip than a hotel closer to the main intersection
Check availability on Booking.com

Transportation & practical information

Hotels closer to downtown are walkable to Centro; the more distant lakeside and hillside properties typically run their own free shuttle into town, a service worth confirming at booking. A car or taxi is the practical alternative outside of shuttle hours.

A car isn't essential — most of Costanera's more distant hotels run their own shuttle into Centro — but having one, or budgeting for taxis, adds flexibility outside shuttle schedules, especially if you're staying at a hillside property 3-4 km from downtown.

Frequently asked questions

Are Costanera's hotels within walking distance of downtown?
It depends on the property — some near the western end of Avenida del Libertador are a 10-15 minute walk from Centro, while others sit 3-4 km out on hillsides or the lakeshore and rely on a shuttle, taxi, or car.
Why stay in Costanera instead of Centro?
For quieter streets, lake views, and generally more upscale hotels — the trade-off is being a short walk, shuttle, or drive from Centro's restaurants and tour agencies rather than right among them.

Related areas

A tree-lined stretch of Avenida del Libertador in downtown El Calafate, with parked cars along a cobblestone street

Raf24~commonswiki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Centro

Best for: First-time visitors, Families, Budget travelers, Couples

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