Estancia la Sofia

We stayed in one of the suites for 3 nights. Unfortunately when we were there the temperature was 104 degrees. There is only 1 ceiling fan in the bedroom; none in the salon so we could not sit on the couch or in that room as it was too hot. We did ask for floor fans but they did not have them. I rode every am before the heat set in. Then went for a dip in the pool. My husband refused to swim as he saw the pool in the early am before it was cleaned. The birds/ducks visited it and he said it was quite dirty. But they did clean it daily. And this is an estancia. The food was amazing. Chef Ezekiel prepared incredible 4 course meals for lunch and dinner. And there were. Home baked goods for tea at 5 pm. Unfortunately it was so hot, we could not walk, or bird watch. Really there is not much to do there and while we wanted to relax, we would have liked to be a bit more active. (Not their fault). Silke, the owner is very hospitable. She wanted me to take a polo lesson; I just wanted to stay on the horse as have not ridden in35+ years.

Our stay was absolutely magical. The place is so charming and feels like a friend’s country house. The chef is incredible and you feel as if you have stumbled upon a wonderful part of Argentinian life. The horses are great to ride for all levels and we (both occasional riders) really enjoyed the polo lesson too. I was skeptical about learning polo since I didn’t think it would be rewarding as a beginner but it was so so much fun. If you are there during a polo match that’s a lovely experience and the pool is great too. A really peaceful oasis, with roaring fires in the evening when it is cold, and Al fresco dining when it is sunny. The hotel only sleeps a small number of guests so is truly boutique and we lived getting to know the other guests as well. Would love to revisit if I am back in Argentina.

First, this was a two night stay in the middle of a long two week Argentinian vacation. We’ve never played polo before, but we’re walking away with a new level of appreciation for the sport and sincere excitement for future polo play. For the football fans out there, this is like learning football from Nick Sabin. You’ll be learning from a master of the sport, Marcos, while also enjoying the upmost hospitality from his wife Silke. They make an excellent team. I always appreciate it when reviewers leave a comment about their prior travel experience and the places seen during this most recent trip so that I can understand the context, so I’ll do the same here. Between the two of us, we’ve traveled to over 30 countries, And during the course of our trip to Argentina, we spent two days in Buenos Aires, two days in Mendoza, three days in Cafayate, two days in El Calafate, and two days in El Chalten. When I say this is I can’t mess activity, I mean it. Do not miss this. Estancia La Sofia is something that interested both of us when I was looking at places to stay around Buenos Aires. We ended up extending our trip by two days to make this portion work. We were interested in doing something uniquely Argentinian without prior horseback riding experience or polo play. We did the intensive for beginners program which involved twice a day polo lessons with Marcos and his son. Let me tell you this, polo is seriously fun. You walk away from each lesson having improved your skills. By the end of our two days there, we were both forgetting about the fact that we were even riding a horse during play. We were so engaged in the game. We have a long way to go before we can play a competitive match, but we feel that we are well on our way. We are even considering returning for a weeklong program, that’s how fun this was. If you’re reading this review, don’t hesitate, and just book this place. If you’re beginners like us, if you’re advanced players like Marcos who plays professionally and has played polo for over 60 years, you’ll improve your game and have a ton of fun. The icing on the cake is the beautiful grounds, comfortable rooms, on-site pool, and some of the best meals we’ve had an Argentina prepared by Marcos and Silke. As a tip for those staying on site, there’s a nearby town which has one of the best silversmiths in the country. Don’t miss this place. We bought a beautiful pair of silver earrings with intricate details, a mate cup, and a summer hat. To conclude, this place greatly exceeded our expectations. By the end of the two days, we were both not just riding the horse, but playing, all in the most comfortable surroundings and hospitality. That’s why we will remember this visit for years to come and want to return.