I love this place! My first visit to El Metejon was 4 years ago upon the advice of a friend knowledgeable about the sport of polo. I had also seen El Metejon featured in a book publish by National Geographic titled Journey of a Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips. I had just started playing polo and was a true novice. The trip was a fantastically positive experience and I have return to El Metejon with my family once or twice a year since. With each visit my polo skills improve more in one week than in an entire season at home.
El Metejon is located 15 minutes from Ezeiza International Airport. The estancia is in the heart of the Argentine polo community and is within a short distance of La Martina, and La Dolfina. El Metejon is located in the compania (rural country) but only a short 45 minute drive to Buenos Aires, providing the best of both worlds.
Each time we have travelled to El Metejon, we have been met at the airport by the proprietor, Diego, and transported back to the estancia. We arrive on a morning flight and once back at El Metejon we fall immediately into the "Polo Lifestyle" of a true Argentine estancia. The schedule is very simple. We with have a light breakfast and immediately go out onto the practice field for polo instructions. The lessons are given by knowledgeable professionals, including Paola Martinez (3 goals), on a one-to-one basis. There are a huge number of horses to choose from depending on your riding abilities and preference. All of the horses are well taken care and well trained. The staff is well versed at matching the horse with the guest’s abilities to make this an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.
After lunch and a siesta, there is the afternoon practice game, which consists of 4 chukkas. Each team is composed of 2 to 3 professionals in addition to one or two guests. The level of play is tailored to the abilities of the guests. The teams are typically 4 to 8 goal level in handicap depending on who is playing. I have had the opportunity to play with excellent players including David Sterling ( who is a resident of El Metejon and is 9 goals), Santiago Chavanne (8 goals), Juan Chavanne (6 goals ), Federico Teves (6 goals), Jorge Tassara (5 goals), and Paola Martinez (3 goal) to name a few. The pace of the practice is well controlled and everyone participates. Beginners are made to feel comfortable at all times.
El Metejon is great place for a family vacation. I have 3 sons who now play polo. As pre-teens and teenagers Diego arranged special practice chukkas including argentine children their own ages demonstrating how accommodating he can be. They will soon be better players than I. On our last visit, I had the opportunity to play in a 12 goal tournament held at El Metejon with my sons-truly a wonderful experience for a father. My spouse loves the tranquility of El Metejon, but alas, has not embraced the sport of polo. For her, there is plenty to do and she looks forward to exploring the surround towns and frequent trips to Buenos Aires for shopping, theater, and restaurants. I am told that there are other recreational activates available, such as golf and fishing, but I have never found the time to look into it.
Diego and Alicia are the consummate hosts and always make you feel welcome. They pay attention to even the smallest details and they do everything to ensure that your stay will be perfect. The staff is friendly and hospitable. The meals are wonderful, thanks to Alicia’s daily shopping trips to the local markets and Mercedes' talents in the kitchen. Do not expect to lose any weight during your stay, even with all of the polo you will play.
The facility is beautiful. Diego and Alicia take care of El Metejon as one would take care of their own home. There are 3 polo fields which are of excellent quality and well taken care of. The club house is spacious, well designed, and tastefully decorated. The guest rooms are large, private, and very comfortable. There is a large commons area for meals and relaxing with your fellow polo enthusiasts. At El Metejon I have had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
El Metejon is definitely worth it. It is a great value considering the wonderful accommodations and great polo. It is definitely a step above the other polo estancias which I have seen-more stylish than rustic. The price is a fraction of what it would cost for the polo alone in the States. For these many reason, I plan on returning to El Metejon whenever possible.
