Carmelo

By Jenna Mahoney

The Four Seasons in Carmelo is the most romantic spot in the world.Outdoor showers, private casitas and sunsets over the estuary are only some of the features. This expansive hideaway sits on the clay banks of the Río de la Plata, just across the estuary from Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. Once you check-in, you’ll never have to (or want to) leave the eucalyptus and pine-forested property.

Guests at the upscale Four Seasons resort hotel stay in private individual casitas, or family friendly bi-level bungalows. Each of the structures has an expansive floor plan complete with fireplaces, deep soaking bathtubs and outdoor space. The hotel also has a pool, a spa, a casino and several restaurants, plus a nearby wine bodega and golf course. Needless to say, there are activities galore for romance-seeking couples, deep-relaxation pilgrims and fitness gurus.

Pick your poison: Golfing, horseback riding, swimming and yoga are just a few of the activities regularly offered at this exclusive hideaway. It’s off-property, but the 72-par golf course is easily accessible via chauffeured antique cars. The clubhouse, with its sun-drenched porches overlooking the links and the water, has an excellent restaurant and lounge area.

During the summer months (December through April) the estuary also serves as a popular sports spot. Paddleboats, jet skis and swimmers abound. And the bi-level pool located at the center of the property is perfect for lounging or taking a dip. Equine explorers clop through the surrounding pine and eucalyptus trees and over the grassy knolls that lead down to the riverbank, while cyclists cruise around the property’s packed dirt paths.

The Asian-inspired spa is located in its own building down the dirt path. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a statue of Shiva and a fountain in an open-air relaxation plaza. The treatment rooms are quiet and very private. And yes, that’s a flower you see under your massage table. It is in this structure that the yoga classes are offered. The practice is slow, gentle and relaxing, just like its environment.

If you decide to explore outside the hotel complex, take a right onto the main paved street and you’ll eventually bump into Carmelo, a small pueblo boasting a myriad of antique stores and yerba maté shops surrounding a plaza.

All of the quiet spaces, natural wonders and luxurious amenities make the Four Seasons Carmelo the perfect place for romance. The staff can arrange a private sunset dinner in a water front cabana, while the wooden structures overlooking the Río de la Plata are comfortably equipped for candlelit suppers and engagement proposals. The river’s sandy shoals and grassy hills also invite an aura of romance. And in addition to stone fireplaces and oversized and ultra-comfortable beds, the private casitas have hidden outdoor showers surrounded by flora endemic to the property.

And if that’s not decadent enough, there’s always the option to order the spa treatments, food and champagne directly to your room.