Hacienda de Molinos, Salta

This 17th-century former governor’s residence is a comfortable stop-off on Ruta 40 through the Calchaquí valley in the rugged north-west. The hotel is reached via an archway opposite San Nicolás church, and set around a stony courtyard with a pink pepper tree. The 18 rooms are large and airy, with thick adobe walls and carob wood ceilings, wrought-iron beds and hand-knitted throws. Cool off in the pool on steamy summer days; the restaurant serves regional dishes such as ravioli-like sorrentinos, stuffed with lamb.
• Doubles from around £95 B&B, haciendademolinos.com.ar

Casa de Coria, Chacras de Coria, Mendoza

Tucked behind the sleepy main square of a small town south of Mendoza, close to the foothills of the Andes, this peaceful six-room posada is in a fantastic location for those keen to dip into Luján de Cuyo’s extensive wine route. Spacious doubles with high ceilings sport stylish country-chic design and quality linens. Breakfast is in the dining room overlooking the lush garden and swimming pool. Nearby wineries open to visitors include Bodega Lagarde, Matías Riccitelli and Carmelo Patti.
• Doubles from £100 B&B, casadecoria.com

Oceáno Patagonia, Valdes peninsula

With a breathtaking view over the bay at Puerto Piramides, at the southern edge of the remote Valdes peninsula. this eco-lodge was the area’s first boutique option when it opened three years ago. Water recycling, solar energy and a geothermal system are some of the green standards implemented at this 12-room lodging, and it’s all so much sweeter when you hear a southern right whale breathing loudly through its blowhole as you breakfast on your terrace. This town is the only embarkation point for whale-spotting trips in this Unesco world heritage site.
• Doubles from around £115 B&B, oceanopatagonia.com

Hotel Bauen, Buenos Aires

This 1970s concrete behemoth near Congreso (the parliament building) was used by political heavyweights – until the 2001 economic crisis, when management shut the place down and fired all the staff overnight. Eighteen months later, 35 former employees took it over and slowly brought it back to life. Its location is second to none, rooms are a mishmash of donated and second-hand stuff, and the price is unbeatable. Its Utopia cafe is a hub for political activists and does great medialuna pastries.
• Doubles from £26 B&B, bauenhotel.com.ar

Hotel Boca, Buenos Aires

Football fans can live and sleep the beautiful game at this hotel in San Telmo, the city’s oldest barrio, dedicated to Boca Juniors, Argentina’s most popular club. Opened in 2012, it claims to be the world’s first football-themed hotel, and is decked out in the club’s blue and yellow, from the tiling in the indoor pool, to rugs and bicycles. Artwork and memorabilia feature key moments in Boca’s history and golden boy Diego Maradona (pictured) is in a prominent position on the hotel’s doors. Doubles can sleep three.
• Double from £86 B&B, hotelbocajuniors.com

Rosario Inn Hostel, Rosario

Some 300km upriver from Buenos Aires, Rosario is rooted in Argentinian culture and history. It is where the Argentinian flag was raised for the first time and where the National Flag Memorial is located; the site of the popular Colectividades fiesta each spring; and the birthplace of national icon Lionel Messi. The colonial architecture, music scene and cafe culture make it a magnet for backpackers, and this friendly hostel has dorms in a turn-of-the-20th-century red brick house not far from the lively Paraná riverfront.
• Dorm beds from £8 B&B, on Facebook

Azur Real, Córdoba

Córdoba province in central Argentina is where people from Buenos Aires come to unwind, drawn by hikes in the wilderness of the Altas Sierras and the impressive colonial architecture of the provincial capital. This small boutique hotel is a stone’s throw from Córdoba’s historic district and city centre. With contemporary decor, a spa and rooftop swimming pool, the Azur Real is a steal in terms of comfort, and a handy base for exploring the high country.
• Doubles from around £65 B&B, azurrealhotel.com

Hotel Saint George, Puerto Iguazú

Tropical and ecological vibes align at this child-friendly resort-style hotel in the town of Puerto Iguazú, where guests are offered a chance to calculate the carbon footprint of their stay. It’s opposite the bus station, for easy low-impact trips to the famous waterfalls that straddle the border with Brazil. After a steamy day at these natural wonders of the world, guests can cool down in the outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi. There’s also a games room and dedicated family zone.
• Double from around £70 B&B, hotelsaintgeorge.com

Cabo Raso, Patagonia

There are no mod cons in Cabo Raso, on a remote stretch of Atlantic coast. The village, abandoned in the late 1980s, was brought back to life in 2007 by husband-and-wife team Eliane Fernández Peña and Eduardo Gonzalez, who rebuilt the houses – all with ocean views – and filled them with recycled furniture. There are also dorm beds on El Ñandú, a bus parked in the grounds (£6.50, no linen). Sights include two shipwrecks and a nuclear bunker built for General Perón.
• Half-board (no drinks) £32pp, caboraso.com

Hotel Turismo Tupungato, Mendoza

What this basic hotel, run by the local municipality, lacks in style, it makes up for with its location in the heart of Uco Valley wine country. Rooms are a little dated – though some are family sized, accommodating up to six –and wifi works only in public areas, not bedrooms, but the bargain price and friendly staff make it worth a stopover. After a day tasting at bodegas such as Passionate Wines, La Azul and Domaine Bousquet, it’s great to head back here for a dip in the pool.
• £24 B&B, no website, +54 2622 48-8007