Accommodations

For backpackers, Trelew [1] now has two serviceable hostels: Hostel El Agora (Edwin Roberts 33, tel. 02965/42-6899, www.hostelelagora.jimdo.com [2], hostelagora [at] hotmail [dot] com, US$12 pp) and Soñadores Hostel y Aventura (Pasaje Lamadrid 1312, tel. 02965/43-6505, hosteltrelew [at] speedy [dot] com [dot] ar, www.poex.com.ar [3], US$13 pp). Both are dorms-only facilities.

Upstairs rooms at Hotel Rivadavia (Rivadavia 55, tel. 02965/43-4472, hotelriv [at] infovia [dot] com [dot] ar, www.cpatagonia.com/rivadavia [4], US$25–30 s, US$30–32 d) have better beds and bathrooms, in addition to cable TV, than the more economical downstairs rooms. Breakfast costs about US$3 extra.

For a touch of old Patagonia—perhaps because it’s well past its prime—try the landmark Hotel Touring Club (Avenida Fontana 240, tel. 02965/43-3998, www.touringpatagonia.com.ar [5], US$32 s, US$50 d). Rates include breakfast and parking.

Rooms at the 1970s-era City Hotel (Rivadavia 254, tel./fax 02965/43-3951, www.hotelcitypatagonia.com.ar [6], US$32 s, US$53 d) are smallish but bright, cheerful, and tidy. Hotel Centenario (San Martín 150, tel. 02965/42-0542, hotelcentenario [at] yahoo [dot] com [dot] ar, US$48 s, US$55 d) is also OK, with Wi-Fi and covered parking.

Four-star in designation, the 90-room Hotel Libertador (Rivadavia 31, tel./fax 02965/42-0220, www.hotellibertadortw.com [7], US$59 s, US$74 d) is a less-than-exceptional hostelry with friendly personnel and a buffet breakfast but rather dull rooms.

Rehabbed Hotel Galicia (9 de Julio 214, tel. 02965/43-3802, www.hotelgalicia.com.ar [8], US$90 s, US$100 d) has impressive public areas—note the elegant marble staircase—if slightly less impressive rooms; still, this is the best choice among Trelew’s accommodations. Prices have risen substantially, though it does offer significant cash discounts.

The central 110-room Hotel Rayentray (San Martín 101, tel. 02965/43-4702, www.cadenarayentray.com.ar [9], US$92 s, US$153 d) has amenities including a restaurant, a gym, a sauna, and a swimming pool. Still, for the price, it’s hard to say it’s demonstrably better than the Galicia.