Argentina is among this year's hottest destinations with a Top 10 of new hotels offering exciting and varied experiences — from the sophisticated capital of Buenos Aires to the northern colonial city of Salta in the foothills of the Andes, to the wine region of Mendoza and the ski town of Bariloche in the Patagonian Lake District...

PALACIO DUHAU - PARK HYATT BUENOS AIRES just opened on July 12, 2006, in the fashionable Recoleta shopping and residential district. The new 165-room luxury hotel now gives the nearby Alvear Palace and Four Seasons some stiff competition. Similar to the Four Seasons in that the hotel is made up of two parts — a historic mansion linked to a new contemporary addition. A garden links the new and the old buildings and is now one of the best dining spots in town in warm weather months.

The original mansion remains one of the few palaces that represents the city's traditional Porte?a aristocracy. The Palacio building is adjacent to the new Posadas building and seamlessly integrates Buenos Aires' legendary old time glamour with 21st century innovative design and state-of-the-art technology. Among the hotel's features is a Wine Library that offers an extensive selection of Argentine wines, including the finest Malbecs, and a Cheese Room that serves the best Argentine cheeses. The hotel also features an 8,000-square-foot Spa with a heated swimming pool and fitness studio.

HOUSE OF JASMINES - SALTA a long tree-lined driveway leads you to the rambling farmhouse owned by actor Robert Duvall and his lovely Argentine wife, Luciana. It is located just outside the colonial city of Salta in the shadow of the Andes. Opened in late 2004, they have turned this 120-year-old ranch house set in sprawling orchards and gardens of roses and jasmine into a gorgeous boutique inn.

Accommodations are in just seven antique-filled rooms with wrought-iron four-poster beds and the scent of roses and jasmine from the farm's private gardens. The two prime suites have terrace views of the gardens, fields and mountains beyond. The talented chef uses local ingredients to create delicious, healthy meals served on the pristine patio overlooking 300 acres of lush grounds. You get a taste of estancia living without compromising on luxury — hike, ride horses and swim on the estate, but be sure to also spend some time exploring the 16th-century Spanish city of Salta, which has the best-preserved colonial architecture in the country.

PATIOS DE CAFAYATE HOTEL & SPA - SALTA is located within the grounds of the state-of-the-art El Esteco Winery and occupies the original Spanish colonial home of the estate dating from 1892. Enjoy spectacular views of the vineyards and the magnificent Calchaquí Valley which rivals Mendoza as the center of high-altitude viticulture in Argentina. Unwind in the peaceful environment offered by the surroundings, with its extensive gardens and traditional architecture with antique colonial patios. Amenities of the hotel include a library, antique-filled cigar lounge, restaurant and colonial-tiled patio overlooking lush lawns, swimming pool and vineyards.

Taste the wines of the estate and experience the wine-based therapies at the Winespa that include bathing in water treated with Cabernet Sauvignon. There are a number of other attractions in the town of Cafayate — see the work of local craftsmen at the artisan market, discover the architectural wonders of the Cathedral and explore the more than 1,000 archaeological pieces at the Rodolfo Bravo museum.

CAVAS WINE LODGE - MENDOZA opened in September 2005, bringing ultimate luxury to the Mendoza wine region that produces over 70% of Argentinean wines. The lodge is situated just outside the quiet city of Mendoza 'The gateway to the Andes' founded in 1561, known for its wide, tree-lined avenues and many beautiful fountain-filled plazas and parks. Check in to one of the fourteen, 750-square-foot suites with bedroom, parlor with working fireplace, a private plunge pool, and an outside staircase leading to your roof deck for 360 degrees views of the Andes - there you'll find a bottle of wine from the surrounding vineyards.

For those seeking a relaxing and revitalizing getaway, the hotel has a great vino-therapy spa and a fabulous wine cellar with some top labels to choose from, as well as being an ideal base from which to explore the idyllic countryside. Tour one of the area's many wineries with your private local guide. Learn about the wine making process from start to finish, ending with a wine tasting of different blends with the Andes Mountains as a backdrop.

PARK HYATT MENDOZA HOTEL & SPA - MENDOZA features a beautifully restored 19th-century Spanish colonial fa?ade, a lobby of granite columns and carved timber detailing, and a landscaped courtyard lined with palm trees and fountains. The elegant accommodation features 186 guest rooms and suites each providing a sophisticated, stylish and comfortable environment. The hotel's amenities include a fully equipped spa and gym, an outdoor swimming pool in a garden setting. The hotel's specialty restaurant, Bistro 'M', offers exquisite regional cuisine, and showcases Argentina's finest wine selection. The hotel's casino provides two floors of gaming tables and slot machines. The hotel also offers access to a wide range of outdoor activities such as fishing, biking, trekking and skiing.

Located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, the city of Mendoza is about 700 miles west of Buenos Aires and 235 miles east of Santiago, Chile. A beautiful green city with a number of parks, Mendoza has a lively atmosphere with numerous restaurants, theatres and nightclubs.

HOTEL ALDEBARAN - BARILOCHE is located on San Pedro Peninsula, 23 km from Bariloche city "the holiday capital" of Patagonia. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery of woods, hills and the lake, this hotel is a great choice for nature lovers. Its ten exclusive rooms have individual balconies overlooking Nahuel Huapi Lake, providing guests with unlimited enjoyment of nature. Regional cuisine is the star of the hotel's restaurant, with its wood-fired mud oven used for preparing fresh baked breads and gourmet dishes, as well as the traditional Argentine barbeque.

The Spa invites you to relax and unwind in heated whirlpools on the spa deck and for sailboat lovers, Aldebarán offers the exclusive opportunity to sail the waters of the lake onboard Fjord VI, one of the latest creations of prestigious boat designer German Frers (Sr). In the evenings, gather around a cozy fireplace in the lounge to sample wines from the superb cellar. Nearby activities include snow and water skiing, fly-fishing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, climbing and more...

KEMPINSKI HOTEL PATAGONIA PARK PLAZA - EL CALAFATE opened in late 2005, is a new addition to the Kempinski portfolio of worldwide luxury hotels and a welcome addition in El Calafate, the gateway to the natural wonders of Los Glaciares National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Perito Moreno Glacier. From here, enjoy excursions to Perito Moreno Glacier or boat trips to the amazing Upsala Glacier.

This is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged, towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes where three glaciers meet launching massive icebergs into the lakes with thunderous splashes. This low rise hotel, with two noteworthy clock towers, overlooks Lake Argentina and the Andes mountains.

There are 82 stylish rooms and suites with views of either the lake or mountains. There is a lobby bar and restaurant also with excellent views and serving traditional local cuisine. More hotel amenities include a multi-lingual staff, 24-hour concierge, 24-hour room service, plasma screen TVs, Internet, laundry and dry-cleaning, garage parking and limousine service.

ESPLENDOR DEL CALAFATE - PATAGONIA is a modern boutique hotel offering marvelous views of Lake Argentina in El Calafate, the gateway to the Perito Moreno glacier. Diverse spaces have a mystical vision of the eternal traveler in search of new adventures. The hotel is a place where the look of contemporary Patagonia is prevalent in the mixture of materials that are used, such as woods, sands, stones, fabrics and veneers. Scandinavian in simplicity, fifty-seven burgundy-and-chocolate rooms surround a soaring atrium.

The hotel features a living room, conceived exclusively for relaxation, with beautiful views of the turquoise lake and the snow-capped mountains. Savor delights such as Patagonian king crab, venison or lamb, crafted daily by the chef in the restaurant with views over the glacial waters. Relax in the bar and enjoy the best drinks and aperitifs. There is also an international breakfast buffet, 24-hour room service, computers with Internet access and staff qualified to make your stay an unforgettable experience. The Esplendor can arrange adventures such as hikes on the glacier.

ESPLENDOR DE BUENOS AIRES, formerly known as the Phoenix Hotel, was the first hotel opened in Buenos Aires. It has now been restored and reopened as a new four-star city icon combining the classic facade of a historical building with totally modernized interiors and state-of-the-art design.

This 51-room boutique hotel is located in the heart of the city and situated in the same building as the renowned 'Galerias Pacifico' shopping centre and excellently located close to theatres and art galleries. Room choices include three spacious VIP Suites measuring 645 square feet, full of light and perfect minimalist details and a Jacuzzi for two.

There are also twenty Design Suites measuring 430 square feet and 28 Concept Rooms at 269 square feet offering both relaxation and work spaces. Esplendor has its own international restaurant plus a meeting room that will accommodate up to 100 people. A fitness center and spa are also available to guests. Esplendor de Buenos Aires combines service, comfort and design to provide travelers and excellent choice whether visiting for business or leisure.

HOME HOTEL - BUENOS AIRES opened earlier this year in the trendy district known as Palermo Viejo or Palermo Hollywood, as a 'home away from home' for English record-producer/owner Tom Rixton and his Irish-born/locally-raised wife, Patricia O'Shea. Artists, film-makers and fashion designers have made the cobbled, tree-lined streets of this northern suburb the most stylish neighborhood in town.

This 18-room hip, boutique hotel also offers a spa with open-air Zen Garden, and a swimming pool set in green grounds with a bar and barbecue. A complimentary breakfast of fresh fruit and juice, yogurt, cereal and rolls is also served poolside.

The staff tips you off to the best hang-outs and you can head to the nearby intersections of Gurruchaga, El Salvador and Armenia streets for a large concentration of chic boutiques.

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