Estancia La Bandada
Authentic rural Argentina — hacienda-style colonial house, gaucho culture, communal dining, working farm. Low-key and unpretentious. More country house party than resort.
The estancia sits at almost the same distance from Ezeiza Airport as downtown Buenos Aires — schedule your stay as the last stop before flying out to avoid city traffic stress
Why It Matters
Listed in both the Michelin Guide and Tablet Hotels. Originally built in the 1870s as Candelaria del Monte, reopened as La Bandada in 2018 under new ownership. One of the most accessible quality estancias from Buenos Aires — same driving distance from the city as Ezeiza Airport, making it ideal as a first or last stop on an Argentina trip.
A working estancia in the Argentine Pampas, dating to the late 1870s. The 20th-century colonial-style main house sits in a 10-hectare wooded park of ancient platanus, oaks, pines, and ginkgo-bilobas. Five rooms (plus a separate country house) are all named after regional birds, decorated with antiques and artwork by the owner, and there are no TVs. Full board is included, the kitchen runs on produce from the organic garden, and evenings often end at a fireplace or around an asado fire.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Casa de Campo
A separate country house sitting 200 meters from the main building, with open views of the cattle pastures and the sunset to the west. Two bedrooms share one bathroom with a bathtub. Full estancia services — full board and all activities — still apply. The real draw is the exclusive private pool (18x4 meters). More rustic than the main house, with antique wooden furniture that leans into the rural setting. Best for families or groups who want their own space.
Classic Double Room
A double room with private bathroom. A hall precedes the room, which is decorated in classic colonial style. More compact than El Hornero or Picaflor but shares the same warm, antique-filled aesthetic of the main house. Good for solo travelers or couples who prefer simplicity.
El Hornero
The largest of the individual rooms. Very spacious with big windows, a cozy private gallery (covered patio), and a generous lounge area with a fireplace. Decorated in classic estancia style that channels the feel of the original landowner's quarters. Ideal for couples. One reviewer described it as 'decadently comfortable without a single touch of pretension — impeccably decorated with blankets, rugs and pieces of furniture from across Argentina.'
Las Garzas
Two double bedrooms sharing a private living room and bathroom. 'Las Garzas' means herons in Spanish, and the interior design pulls from the image of white herons on blue water — calm, blue-toned, and airy. Beds can be configured as king or twin. Windows look onto the garden at the main entrance. Ideal for families or two couples traveling together.
Las Tijeretas
Mirror layout to Las Garzas — two double bedrooms with a private living room and bathroom. Named after the fork-tail flycatcher bird, this suite leans into warm orange tones inspired by the color of sunrise over the pampas. On the opposite side of the entrance hall from Las Garzas.
Picaflor
Named for the hummingbird. A loft-like room that feels larger than its footprint thanks to an unusually high ceiling. Super king-size bed looks onto a warm fireplace. The decor mixes classic furnishings with modern metal sculptures for an eclectic feel. One of the more visually striking rooms in the house.
The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Traditional Argentine merienda served on the sunny patio each afternoon — mate with criollo pastries, freshly baked banana bread, tea, and coffee. Long verandas keep things cool and serve as the social hub of the house.
Bikes available for exploring the property and surrounding farm roads at your own pace.
The lagoons and wetlands on the property attract a wide variety of bird species. Staff provide printed bird identification guides and binoculars. White herons, fork-tail flycatchers, horneros, and hummingbirds are among the regulars. Capybaras and coypus are also seen around the lagoons.
On evenings when the group is large enough, local musicians perform traditional gaucho music around a bonfire after dinner. When families with kids are staying, staff arrange marshmallow toasting.
The classic Argentine toad-tossing game played on the veranda. Low-tech, competitive, and genuinely fun — a staple of rural Argentina.
Guests join the chef to learn how to prepare and fold traditional Argentine empanadas — including the classic 'repulgue' crimping technique. Ingredients come straight from the kitchen garden.
Traditional criollo demonstrations in the corrals: barrel racing (carrera de toneles), ring jousting (juego de la sortija), and other classic pampas games. Usually scheduled in the afternoon on day-trip visits.
Guided rides through cattle pastures, past lagoons, and across open pampas grassland. The stable holds 20 horses, including many docile animals suitable for beginners and children. Helmets are provided. Rides are guided by staff gauchos. Evening rides specifically focused on birdwatching are also offered.
Guided walk through the kitchen orchard and garden where guests can participate in harvesting the vegetables, fruits, and herbs that will go into their meals. Beehives on the property provide the house honey served at breakfast.
The San Miguel del Monte area is one of Argentina's most polo-active regions. The estancia can arrange introductory polo clinics (taqueo) at neighboring estancias and excursions to watch live matches. Only basic riding ability required for clinics; all equipment provided.
Outdoor pool shaded by massive old trees. The pool house has bathrooms, sun loungers, and shaded seating. Open during warmer months. The private pool at the Casa de Campo (18x4m) is exclusive to guests staying in that country house.
Table tennis available on-site for guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Available throughout the property.
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner all included in the room rate. Built around the organic kitchen garden.
Bar and lounge area in the main house with wine, spirits, and soft drinks. Argentine wines a particular strength — guests are encouraged to arrive early to dinner for a glass by the fire.
Visa, Mastercard, and American Express accepted.
Children are very welcome. Helmets for horseback riding, family-sized suites (Las Garzas and Las Tijeretas), croquet on the lawn, and marshmallow toasting at bonfires are all part of the family experience.
Pets welcome with conditions: must be on leash, bring own food and bed, not allowed on furniture or in public interior areas. Note that the property has its own resident dogs.
On-site working orchard and vegetable garden supplying the kitchen. Guests can participate in harvesting. Also includes beehives providing house honey.
Main pool shaded by old-growth trees with a full pool house featuring bathrooms, sun loungers, and shaded seating. Open seasonally (closed May–August).
Croquet set on the main lawn.
All rooms have private bathrooms with bidet, bathtub/shower, bathrobes, hairdryer, and free toiletries (yerba mate-based bath products noted).
Several rooms have in-room fireplaces. Staff stoke and refresh the fire while guests are at dinner.
Free private parking on-site, no reservation needed.
Paid transfer service available to/from Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), 90 km away.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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