The Eden Hotel, located in La Falda, a picturesque town in the province of Córdoba, Argentina, is a site that harbors a fascinating and, at the same time, dark history. Its imposing structure, surrounded by lush natural landscapes, has witnessed times of splendor, decline, and controversy, making it a place full of mystery and legends. Throughout its history, the Eden Hotel has been linked to prominent figures, has had alleged connections to Nazism, and is known for being a place where the paranormal seems to always be lurking.

The Beginnings

The Eden Hotel was founded in 1897 by a German businessman named Roberto Bahlcke, who dreamed of creating a luxurious retreat in the middle of the Córdoba mountains. This hotel was designed to be an exclusive destination for the Argentine and European elite. With majestic architecture and all the modern amenities of the time, the Eden Hotel quickly became an icon of luxury and exclusivity. Its location in La Falda, with its temperate climate and mountainous landscapes, attracted the upper class looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities.

The Golden Age

During the first decades of the 20th century, the Eden Hotel reached its peak. Throughout those years, renowned personalities such as the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, and the famous physicist Albert Einstein stayed in its luxurious rooms. This period of splendor not only attracted celebrities but also politicians and businessmen who saw the hotel as an ideal place for rest and leisure.

The Eden Hotel and Nazism

One of the darkest and most controversial chapters in the history of the Eden Hotel is linked to its alleged connections with Nazism. Starting in the 1930s, the hotel was acquired by siblings Walter and Ida Eichhorn, a German couple with strong ties to the Nazi Party. It is rumored that the Eden Hotel was used as a clandestine operations center for Nazi spies in South America. Additionally, some claim that Adolf Hitler himself secretly visited the hotel during World War II, although there is no conclusive documentary evidence to support this theory.

The Eichhorns’ connections to Nazism became evident through their open sympathy for Hitler’s regime. It is said that meetings of Nazi sympathizers were held at the hotel, and the swastika flag was flown on its premises. The fall of the Third Reich also marked the decline of the Eichhorns’ fortune and, consequently, the hotel. After the war, the Eden Hotel fell into oblivion, with its former owners fleeing from justice, and the property entered a long period of abandonment.

The Rebirth

After decades of deterioration and abandonment, the Eden Hotel was restored and reopened as a historical and tourist site. Today, the hotel is one of La Falda’s main attractions, where visitors can tour its old facilities and learn about its rich history. The hotel’s restoration has not only preserved its architectural value. Still, it has also revitalized the memory of its past, allowing tourists to explore both its golden age and the dark secrets it harbors.

Paranormal Stories

Like any place with a history of drama and mystery, the Eden Hotel has been the epicenter of numerous paranormal stories. Over the years, visitors and staff have reported sightings of shadows, inexplicable voices, and sensations of strange presence in various parts of the hotel. Urban legends say that the spirits of former guests and employees, trapped between this world and the next, still roam the hotel’s halls.

One of the most well-known tales is that of a little girl who appears in the main hall, dressed in old-fashioned clothes and looking sad. She is said to be the spirit of a young girl who died in the hotel in the early 20th century. Another recurring story is that of a lady in white who manifests at night, walking through the hotel’s gardens as if waiting for someone who never arrived.

The paranormal phenomena have attracted investigators and mystery enthusiasts, who have conducted multiple studies and séances at the hotel. Although there is no conclusive evidence of ghosts in Eden, these stories have contributed to its aura as a haunted place.

What to Do at the Eden Hotel

Today, the Eden Hotel is a tourist destination that offers a wide variety of activities for its visitors. Guided tours are one of the main attractions, where tourists can explore different areas of the hotel while listening to the stories and legends surrounding this enigmatic place. These tours include the main hall, historic rooms, gardens, and the terrace with views of the mountains.

Additionally, the hotel hosts cultural events, such as art exhibitions, concerts, and lectures, aimed at reviving the splendor of its golden age. For the more adventurous, there are nighttime tours that delve into the hotel’s paranormal legends, where visitors can experience the mysterious atmosphere of the place under the moonlight.

The hotel’s natural surroundings are also an attraction in themselves. Eden’s gardens offer a perfect space for walking and enjoying nature, while the proximity to the Córdoba mountains allows visitors to go on excursions and hike in the hills.

A Lasting Legacy

The Eden Hotel, with its rich and controversial history, symbolizes the duality between luxury and mystery, beauty and darkness. From its heyday as a refuge for the world’s elite, through its connections with Nazism, to the ghost stories that circulate today, this hotel continues to fascinate those who visit it. Whether for its imposing architecture, paranormal stories, or natural beauty, the Eden Hotel remains a must-visit destination in the province of Córdoba, where the past and present intertwine in a unique and unforgettable narrative.