Estancia La Bandada

Alex Burridge – MD Tailor-Made Journeys May 2026

When we travel we often try to visit new places or properties, or go back to some that we haven’t experience for a while.

Estancia La Bandada is new to us and I was fortunate to spend a night here on my most recent trip to Buenos Aires.  I like horse riding and birds – so a perfect place to visit as they offer horse rides (and a range of well-behaved horses – they match the horse’s temperament to your ability) and have some decent birdlife (either in the grounds or in the Laguna de Monte on the edge of the town of San Miguel del Monte (a five minute drive away).  Bandada means flock in Spanish.

Located just 90 km from Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport, the colonial-style house sits in beautiful gardens with large trees. It boasts five large, exquisitely decorated bedrooms, two of which are suites. You can enjoy a range of activities such as horse riding, bicycle rides, afternoons by the pool, and guided birdwatching walks.

The Estancia is situated in one of Argentina’s most popular polo regions and offers polo lessons at neighbouring ranches and the opportunity to attend a match.

La Bandada was recently awarded One MICHELIN key which translates to ‘A very Special Stay’.  I have to agree that Graciela and her team do go the ‘extra mile’ and genuinely enjoy making your stay special – whilst I was there there weren’t any Polo matches or practice matches (September to December is more traditionally polo season) to watch and I I was still taken to a nearby ranch with a polo field and got to hit a few balls with a polo mallet and meet an ex-player who loves the sport and coaches young players.

One MICHELIN Key · ‘A very special stay’

A One Michelin Key designation, introduced by the Michelin Guide to recognize exceptional accommodation, signifies “a very special stay.” It highlights true gems with distinct personality and service that goes the extra mile. It is part of a three-tier system (One, Two, or Three Keys) awarded to hotels that excel in architecture, service, character, and value.

Polo Season

The season runs mainly from September to December, with the highlight being the Triple Crown tournaments:

Hurlingham Open (September 23 – October 4), Tortugas Open (October 7 – 25) & Argentine Open in Palermo (October 31 – December 6)

These events bring together the best players in the world, making Argentina the ultimate destination for polo enthusiasts.