Kosten Aike
Kosten Aike, a large tourist hotel, located on a quiet street just off Avenida San Martín, the main drag, is well run and includes a restaurant, lounge area, game room and bar.
Our room, a triple for the 2 of us, was roomy. Soft sheets on the bed but the bathroom needed refurbishing.
The breakfast buffet included an extensive selection of hot and cold items –pastry, eggs, cereal, muesli, cheese, breads, fresh fruit, etc., and brewed coffee with hot milk.
I didn’t eat much as I needed to pack for our evening flight before the mini-trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier.
One Complaint
My one complaint with the hotel was the mix up in the cost of the car service to the glacier. I had booked the service in December and was quoted $2200ARS ($80USD) for a car and driver for the mini trek. Walk Patagonio had quoted me $340USD for the same service. When I confirmed our booking the week before the trek they said the price had gone up to $2800ARS in February. As we were already traveling I didn’t have time to make other arrangements.
Upon check-in at the hotel the clerk explained that he had read my emails and that I had been quoted the wrong price in December. The $2200 ARS was the price for visiting the viewing platforms only. The mini trek price was $3500 ARS. Thus the $2800 price was a discounted price for their error. Since it was a hotel car and driver I don’t know that I believe their explanation. Other than this mix up what little service we needed was courteous and efficient.
Domestic Flight out of El Calafate
El Calafate airport was easy and not crowded. We arrived at 6:30PM for an 8PM flight. The check in line went quickly though the line grew behind us. Security was easy and we didn’t have to take out liquids or electronics.
We even had time for a burger – homemade with cheese and bacon – and beer in the upstairs café.
The flight boarded and left early.
February 26, 2018
For links to all the posts in this series see the Hiking in Patagonia page.