Hotel in Santa Cruz, Argentina
Kosten Aike Hotel
Comfortable El Calafate hotel with modern rooms, helpful staff, and convenient location near restaurants and shops. Good base for glacier excursions with early breakfast options for tours.
Hotel Kosten Aike stands at Gobernador Gregores 1256 in the town centre of El Calafate, the main gateway town for Los Glaciares National Park and the Perito Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz province, Argentine Patagonia. The hotel is located two blocks from El Calafate's main commercial street, Avenida del Libertador, putting restaurants, tour operators, and local shops within a short walk. El Calafate International Airport, which serves direct daily flights from Buenos Aires, is approximately three kilometres from the hotel.
The property takes its name from two Tehuelche words: Kosten, meaning wind, and Aike, meaning place — a reference to the indigenous people who inhabited the Patagonian steppe long before European settlement. The name is reflected throughout the hotel's interior design, which incorporates geometric patterns, natural materials, and artwork commissioned from Argentine artists drawing on Tehuelche visual traditions, giving the property a distinctive regional character uncommon among mid-range hotels in the area.
Accommodation spans comfortable double and twin rooms with individual climate control, cable television, private bathrooms, and free WiFi. Breakfast is included in all room rates and served in the ground-floor dining room from 7 AM — a practical detail for guests joining early-morning glacier excursions. The on-site restaurant offers an Argentine menu through lunch and dinner service, featuring Patagonian lamb and local Lago Argentino trout. A bar with an Argentine wine list operates through the evening.
The front desk maintains a well-informed tour desk covering Perito Moreno Glacier visits, Lago Argentino boat excursions, trekking day trips toward Torres del Paine (cross-border), and estancia visits on the surrounding steppe. Luggage storage is available for guests arriving before check-in or extending their time in El Calafate.
Amenities
- restaurant
- bar
- free WiFi
- breakfast included
- tour desk
- luggage storage
- heating
Visit / Book / Contact
- Official website
- Phone: +54 2902 492-424
Location
Gdor. Gregores 1256, Z9405 El Calafate, Santa Cruz
-50.3394, -72.2697 — View on map
Highlights
- Tehuelche-inspired design hotel in El Calafate town centre, two blocks from the main commercial street
- Indigenous-commissioned artwork and geometric patterns throughout the interiors reflecting the region's cultural heritage
- Early breakfast service from 7 AM designed to accommodate glacier excursion departure times
- On-site restaurant serving Patagonian lamb and local trout with an Argentine wine list
- Tour desk covering Perito Moreno Glacier, Lago Argentino boat trips, and estancia visits
Tips
- Book early breakfast the night before joining a morning glacier tour — the kitchen opens at 7 AM and tour buses often depart by 8 AM.
- The hotel fills quickly during peak season (December–February); book two to three months in advance.
- El Calafate sits at approximately 200 metres altitude, so there are no altitude concerns; cold steppe winds are the main weather factor.
- Ask the tour desk about small-group glacier excursions rather than large bus tours — the experience at Perito Moreno differs significantly.
- The walk from the hotel to the main street takes under five minutes; most glacier tour operators are concentrated on Avenida del Libertador.
FAQ
How far is Kosten Aike from Perito Moreno Glacier?
The hotel is in El Calafate town, approximately 78 kilometres from Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. The journey takes around 1.5 hours by road.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, breakfast is included in all room rates and starts at 7 AM to accommodate guests departing on early glacier excursions.
What does the name Kosten Aike mean?
Kosten Aike derives from Tehuelche, the language of the indigenous people of the Patagonian steppe. Kosten means wind and Aike means place — a fitting name for the notoriously windy Patagonian plain where El Calafate sits.
Does the hotel organise glacier excursions directly?
The hotel operates a tour desk that can book excursions to Perito Moreno Glacier, Lago Argentino boat trips, and estancia visits. Independent operators also work from offices along Avenida del Libertador.
Accessibility
The hotel has a ground-floor lobby with lift access to upper guest floors. The main entrance is step-free. Guests with mobility requirements should contact the hotel to confirm accessible room availability before booking.