Legado Mítico Salta review: the Andean city’s coziest boutique hotel
1) The backstory
Legado Mítico Salta is an intimate, adults-only boutique property in the historical quarter of the city with 11 personalized rooms that celebrate the culture, history, and heroes of “Salta la Linda”, Argentina’s most beautiful province.
Legado Mítico is a member of TheBBH, an alliance of the best small luxury hotels in Latin America. This is a quality stamp travelers can trust to find hidden gems. It also has a spot on the coveted list of Great Small Hotels (Pequeños Hoteles Emblematicos). The brand is accustomed to well-heeled guests from far and wide – Vogue and The New York Times have already given it their seal of approval. You may already know its sister hotel Legado Mítico Buenos Aires, in the achingly hip Palermo district.
2) The rooms
Set in a renovated townhouse, Legado Mítico Salta has 11 rooms, each wholly unique and adhering to its own theme. There are three room categories: Míticas Classics, Míticas Superiors, and Míticas Luxury rooms.
The five lavish luxury rooms are El Cachaquí, La Escultura, El Músico, La Escritora, and El Caudillo. All boast hydro-massage bathtubs and wood-burning stoves. Besides El Cachaquí, all Luxury rooms are the proud owners of regal four-poster beds.
Photo credit: Booking.com
Photo credit: Booking.com
The two Superior rooms are an ode to the northeast region’s native communities, the Wichí and the Kolla. These larger rooms have sofas and are adorned with framed depictions of the indigenous groups and also decorated in muted earth tones that evoke feelings of the arid Andes.
The Classic rooms are El Gaucho (named after Martin Miguel de Güemes, a Salta hero of the Argentine War of Independence), La Hidalga (meaning “the noblewoman” in honor of Güemes’ sister Macacha, also considered a wartime heroine), El Poeta (in honor of the Salteño poet Manuel J. Castilla), and lastly, La Capitana. This room is inspired by Martina Silva de Gurruchaga, the only Argentine woman to attain the title of honorary captain owing to the part she played in the battle of Salta.
Named after Martina Silva de Gurruchaga who General Belgrano made an honorary captain of the army, La Capitana was my weekend home away from home. I took full advantage of the two private balconies and roomy bathtub in this palatial space. I adored the abundant mirrors, paintings, the white and blue color palette, and the ceilings that felt like they couldn’t get any higher. The space is certainly large enough for “La Capitana” and even her captain. A heavenly night’s sleep is assured in the large bed, and the stocked mini-bar is equally generous.
3) Food & drink
All bookings at Legado Mítico Salta include a hearty buffet breakfast, including fresh fruit, cheeses, divine Argentinian meats, and pan casero (homemade bread). There isn’t a restaurant on site for evening dining, but you are spoilt for choice with an infinite list of restaurants practically on your doorstep.
The breakfast room is thoroughly bathed in light. Like the rest of the property, a grand painting watches over diners as they break their fast. The pleasing art, coupled with calming folkloric instrumentals in the background, makes for a gentle way to wake up.
4) Services & amenities
Legado Mítico Salta is worthy of your leisure time, even just for its open-air area and, most importantly, the library and reading rooms. They’re a bibliophile’s dream and are stocked with a host of magazines and books to cater to light-hearted perusing or swotting up on the region’s storied background. The communal areas are delightful, and owing to the small size of the hotel, it’s unlikely you’ll have to compete for space with many others.
The absence of a pool or spa should not be a concern, as you can indulge in in-room treatments and yoga sessions are also available.
Photo credit: Booking.com
5) Style, decor & character
That elusive feeling of home is attained through the intimate hallways and attractive paintwork, crowned by the warmest of service. There’s a quiet ambience that really lends itself to relaxation. The décor is elegant but unassuming, with wood-panelled walls and little touches that add character. It’s a love letter to Argentina’s northeast with gaucho paraphernalia, cowhide furnishings, and fabrics splashed with the same burgundy red of Salta’s flag.
6) Location & nearby sights
Legado Mítico Salta is superbly located mere minutes from Plaza 9 de Julio, the epicenter of the city, with its candy-colored cathedral, museums, and congregating Salteños.
After enjoying your decadent breakfast, stroll to Plaza 9 de Julio to encounter city dwellers drinking mate, guitar-strumming, and leisurely taking in Salta’s renowned warm weather. Situate yourself at one of the many alfresco cafes and enjoy traditional dances put on by Salteños of all ages as well as the colourful buildings and charming colonial architecture.
Within the square is the MAAM (The Museum of High Altitude Archaeology), where three cryogenically frozen Inca children reside. The youngsters were discovered in near-perfect condition on the Llullaillaco volcano by North American anthropologist Johan Reinhard.
The children were sacrificed and placed in high mountain graves and it’s astounding how well-preserved they are. Visit the museum to learn about Andean culture as well as to see it for yourself. MAAM is a rotating exhibition, and only one child is displayed at any given time. Museo Güemes is another noteworthy museum. It’s a vivid and interactive Spanish-language experience detailing the life and death of General Güemes.
Salta is best admired from above at Cerro San Bernardo (San Bernardo Hill), which even has a man-made waterfall to tickle visitors a tad more. Two restaurants, a gym, and a mobile wine shop will keep you entertained as you devour panoramic views of the city. There are three ways to get to the top: walking or running up a designated footpath, by car, or with the Teleférico cable car. The latter gets my vote as the most scenic and impressive option.
Legado Mítico Salta is also a hop, skip, and a jump from the train station for Train to the Clouds, one of Salta’s biggest attractions. It’s the third-highest high-altitude train in the world and an adventure through the depths of the Lerma Valley on a railroad with a century of history behind it.
As Salta is rumored to be the birthplace of empanadas, locals are quasi-evangelical about their love for them and eager to tell you where to get the best ones. To decide for yourself, head to a peña, a restaurant that combines a musical experience with traditional and regional food. La Casona del Molino and La Vieja Estacion are highly recommended for both the cuisine and the immersive local experience.
7) Who it’s right for & what to pack
This boutique hotel in Salta is an ideal choice for those who are drawn to the character of a place, where history and heritage are beautifully reflected in the decor. Legado Mítico caters to the tastes and preferences of laid-back, culturally focused travelers who wish to be within walking distance of Salta’s top draws, nightlife, and restaurants.
Bring your reading glasses. The elegant living and reading rooms are perfect for unwinding and tucking into a captivating book.
Photo credit: Booking.com
