Set on a vineyard at the foothills of the Argentine Andes, Entre Cielos Hotel & Hamam has 15 rooms and the most unique suite I've ever stayed in: The Vineyard Loft, a private tree house hovering over acres of Malbec vines.
The modern tree house specialists from Baumraum architects were specially brought in from Germany for the perfect pod and Entre Cielos' in-house design team completed the fantasy with sleek and seductive interiors.
Each tower is a duplex wrapped in graphic imagery of figs, mushrooms, cherries--and other flavors of full-bodied wines. The patterns change depending on the season or vision of chief designer Daniela Wager for architecture that never gets old. The next motif on her list? The typography of wine words.
To get into the full Entre Cielos state of mind, we were treated to an evening at their hamam spa for utter relaxation. Wrapped in Turkish flauta towels we went from station to station at these modern Turkish baths-from the herbal steam room to a couples' wine bath (yes, I said wine bath), ending in the lounge chairs of the relaxation room nibbling on fruit and nuts. Heaven is an understatement.
Not ready to stir from relaxation mode, we went back to our treehouse for an extra soak in the outdoor bathtub. You can never have too many bubble baths, especially when bubbly is involved.
In the morning, the Katharina restaurant hosts a gourmet buffet breakfast. Fruits, cheeses, eggs to order and cappuccinos were served to perfection amidst the chic decor. When we returned for dinner, we curled up by the fire for a butternut squash tortellini followed by a cut of beef that lived up to its good Argentine name.
After our bike ride to the neighboring vineyards, we came back to do a little reading by the pool. Love that the front desk has iPads available for guests to use throughout their stay.
We were so sad to leave the Vineyard Loft that we ordered breakfast in bed to savor our final moments. It is not easy bringing carafes of coffee and poached eggs down a gravel road and up the stairs of a tree house but the staff didn't even flinch. Aficionados of service and style, Entre Cielos holds up to its heavenly name.
For more on Mendoza and its irresistible appeal, see HoneyTrek's post on vineyard bike tours, hiking the Andes and the wine capital's city sights.
