Latin American Best Hostel, in Argentina

Those on a gap year in South America may like to spend some time in Argentina’s hostels, as the country’s accommodation options claimed the top three spots at a recent awards ceremony.

The 2010 Hoscars – the hostel community’s equivalent of the Oscars organised by Hostelworld.com – saw Hostel Lao in Mendoza, Argentina win the accolade of best Latin American accommodation option.

Additionally, the American del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires and Hostel Estoril in Buenos Aires claimed second and third place respectively, suggesting that the country is particularly friendly to those taking a gap year in South America.

Carmel Dunne, Hostelworld.com’s vice-president of accommodation relations, said that the awards are particularly important as they are composed from the feedback received for travellers.

“They are based on user ratings and reviews, a key reason why customers book with us,” she added.

Argentina has been basking in glowing praise of late, it appears.

According to travel guide publisher Frommer’s, the South American nation will be one of the top ten travel hot spots of the year.

About Hostel Lao

In October 2005 two travellers got together and created Hostel Lao. The Hostel was raised from the ashes of a destroyed old house to become a laid back oasis in the centre of buisy Mendoza.

Secure, chilled out and friendly with big comfy lounges, real beds and pillows, great music and a huge garden full of tropical trees and hammocks

Is located at a 2 blocks distance from the main street, a 10 minute walk from the main plaza, surrounded by local restaurants, cafes, bars and deli’s, a 15 min walk from the bar strip and 5 blocks from the bus station. Our location makes it easy to enjoy the Argentine Mendoza, not just the tourist strips.

About Mendoza

Mendoza is the capital city of Mendoza Province, in Argentina. It is located in the northern-central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the Andes. As of the 2001 census [INDEC], Mendoza’s population was 110,993. The metropolitan population was 848,660 in 2001, making Greater Mendoza the fourth largest census metropolitan area in the country.

Ruta Nacional 7, the major road running between Buenos Aires and Santiago, runs through Mendoza. The city is a frequent stopover for climbers on their way to Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere) and for adventure travelers interested in mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, and other sports. In the winter, skiers come to the city for its easy access to the Andes.

Two of the main industries of the Mendoza area are wine making and olive oil production.

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SOURCES:

“Hostels in Argentina ‘clean up at awards ceremony’”
27 Jan 2010
i-to-i
http://www.i-to-i.com
http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/news/hostels-in-argentina-clean-up-at-awards-ceremony.html

“Hostel Lao”
Mendoza, Argentina
http://www.laohostel.com/
http://www.laohostel.com/quienes.php?leng=en
http://www.laohostel.com/ubicacion.php?leng=en

“Mendoza, Argentina”
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendoza,_Argentina