Villa Mansa Wine Hotel & Spa

"Mansa" means quiet in Spanish and that’s exactly what a stay here is all about. First impressions are good; the villa is an attractive terra cotta-roofed building set amid lush gardens. Inside, the public areas are light and breezy, with high beamed ceilings and lots of windows showcasing the gardens, olive groves, vines, and mountains beyond. There’s a recurring wine theme, though it's not tacky, with rooms named after the grape varieties grown by the hotel and wine-making equipment and barrels dotted around. Children younger than 12 are not allowed, so the hotel is best suited for thirtysomething-and-up couples and groups of friends who want to be away from it all and relax in beautiful natural surroundings. 

Villa Mansa Wine Hotel & Spa is remote; here, it’s all about the peaceful natural surroundings. The closest restaurant is a five-minute drive away. It’s a couple minutes’ walk to Lujan de Cuyo’s main road and there are many wineries are close by -- some are just two minutes away by car or bike. It’s around a 20-minute drive to reach the center of Mendoza. Allow 45 to 50 minutes to reach Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport by car. It’s advisable to have a car here (a taxi from the airport is expensive), making the free on-site parking quite handy.

The 12 rooms are named after the 12 varieties of grape planted in the hotel’s vineyard -- like Syrah and Pinot Noir. The decor consists of stone floors, neutral walls, and splashes of rich reds, earthy browns, and rusty oranges. Amenities include TVs and free Wi-Fi, as well as centralized air-conditioning. Simple coffee- and tea-making facilities are provided, while minibars and wine fridges are available as well. Funky mosaic bathrooms have shower/tub combos. Wall-mounted hairdryers, vanity mirrors, and toiletries are provided. Each room also has a terrace or balcony -- we recommend the upper-floor rooms, where the balconies showcase the gorgeous views over the gardens or vines.

The gardens are a highlight at the Villa Mansa Wine Hotel & Spa. The outdoor pool -- set amid an attractive garden lawn -- is particularly inviting and is surrounded by four-poster day beds as well as loungers. The spa is impressive for a boutique hotel, with a massage room, sauna, and relaxation area, topped off with glorious views of the Andes Mountains. There’s also a restaurant on-site, showcasing regional dishes for lunch and dinner, using seasonal ingredients. Vegetables and herbs come from the hotel’s own vegetable garden. A simple buffet breakfast is included in the rates, including pastries, fresh fruit, eggs cooked to order, and strong coffee. Private wine tastings with a sommelier can be arranged in the wine cellar, which houses Malbec grown in in the hotel’s vineyard. Cooking classes and wine tours can be arranged on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Business guests can use the airy meeting room and there’s plenty of free on-site parking.