Nearly all accommodations lie in Neuquén’s scruffy but not unsafe retail area between RN 22 and the bus terminal.

Right on the highway, Hotel Inglés (Félix San Martín 534, tel. 0299/442-2252, US$18 s, US$28 d, without breakfast) is quiet, clean, and family-run.

Rooms at friendly, centrally located Hostería Belgrano (Rivadavia 283, tel. 0299/448-0612, www.hosteriabelgrano.com, US$26 s, US$33 d) are small—some claustrophobic—but also immaculate. Under the same management, modernized Hotel Alcorta (Ministro Alcorta 84, tel. 0299/442-2652, alcortahotel [at] infovia [dot] com [dot] ar, US$23 s, US$34 d) has most contemporary conveniences.

Hotel Ideal (Avenida Olascoaga 243, tel. 0299/442-2431, www.interpatagonia.com/hotelideal, US$39 s, US$53 d, with breakfast) has clean, comfortable rooms with modern amenities but lacks parking.

Under the same management as Hotel Royal, Hotel Huemul (Tierra del Fuego 335, tel. 0299/442-2344, www.royalhotel.com.ar, US$28 s, US$40 d) could use renovation—the shower fixtures are antediluvian and the metal door frames are starting to rust, but everything still works well. The beds are firm, it’s quiet, and the good-humored staff is a big plus.

The local classic Hotel Iberia (Avenida Olascoaga 294, tel. 0299/442-2372, luislo [at] neunet [dot] com [dot] ar, US$52 s, US$76 d) has tidy, ample rooms with standard conveniences.

Tobacco-free Hotel Royal (Avenida Argentina 145, tel. 0299/442-2408, www.royalhotel.com.ar, US$60 s, US$78 d) has large rooms and baths, cable TV, and Wi-Fi in common areas; there’s also a 10 percent cash discount.

Though showing some wear, Hotel El Prado (Perito Moreno 484, tel. 0299/448-6000, www.hotel-elprado.com.ar, US$45–92 s, US$68–118 d) remains one of the city’s better values. The large well-furnished rooms have private baths, air-conditioning, cable TV, telephones, key cards, and Wi-Fi). In addition, there’s an abundant buffet breakfast and superb service.

Downtown’s four-star Hotel del Comahue (Avenida Argentina 387, tel. 0299/442-2439, www.hoteldelcomahue.com, US$123 s, US$145 d) is the pick of the litter, sometimes offering 10 percent cash discounts.