Hotel El Manantial del Silencio

The Hotel El Manantial del Silencio—translated as “the wellspring of silence”—is a peaceful retreat situated in Purmamarca, an idyllic village in the Humahuaca Gorge. Built in 2004 but conveying the atmosphere of an old hacienda, the colonial-style splendor and elegant simplicity designed by Mariano Sepúlveda is perfect for anyone wishing to unwind and absorb the ancient serenity of Andean culture.

Property Details

Outside, the Hotel El Manantial del Silencio resembles a colonial white monastic-style building with adobe walls and spare wrought iron details constructed of local materials. Interiors are luxurious decorated with objects belonging to historical families of Northern Argentina, such as flamboyantly colored locally woven rugs, carved wood, and vaulted ceilings made of cane. The hacienda contains 19 comfortable bedrooms containing stone floors, whitewashed walls, simple windows with bright and airy views of the Hill of Seven Colors, and granite and white ceramic en-suite bathrooms with flower-painted mirrors, hairdryers in woven barracán bags, and simple toiletries. One suite sits on the upper floor with added luxuries of a Jacuzzi, canopied bed, and private sitting room, and a separate self-contained villa offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a television room for families or groups.

Breakfasts are served next to floor-to-ceiling windows and provide an extensive array of juices, yogurts, cereals, pastries, and homemade jams. Lunches and dinners are surprisingly lavish, featuring exotic dishes prepared by Sergio Latorre, a renowned chef who continues to excel at the reinvention of local dishes. Expect Andean raw materials at its best, with beef, llama, quinoa, and other delicacies from the area creating adventurous cuisine that simultaneously celebrates the region’s ancient flavors and offers one of the best dining experiences in northwest Argentina. The wine cellar is particularly impressive, specializing in a wide range of Argentinian wines from Mendoza, Salta and maimareños carefully chosen to accompany the restaurant’s diverse menu.

Relaxation can be found in the small pleasures—an Argentinian mate in one of the garden’s hidden sitting areas, a dip in the small pool encircled by gardens overlooking mountains and llamas, and sensory body treatment sessions and facials at the resident spa. A short stroll from Purmamarca, Hotel El Manantial del Silencio is the perfect retreat on any adventure to northern Argentina and the surrounding countryside known for its Hill of Seven Colors, magnificent salt flats, beautiful churches, historical villages, and authentic culture.