Short answer, "Yup" except that we were not disappointed going to Salta. The long answer should you choose to read it is below.

No, I would not say that we were disappointed in Salta, but one needs to understand why it would appear so. This was our first trip to South America. The only purpose in going to Salta was to ride the train and perhaps visit some wineries. We had limited time in Argentina, 2 weeks, and chose three destinations, BA, Mendoza and Salta. We decided against Iguazu or Bariloche because of the desire to do Las Nubes. In retrospect we should have spent more time in Buenos Aires (and will next trip). It is a great city and really worth exploring. We also wasted a day going to Colonia. I enjoyed it but my wife was a mosquito magnet and miserable. We will visit Iguazu next trip

Mendoza was wonderful. One day we took a private wine tour with lunch that was booked through The Vines. A remise with driver for the entire day was the equivalent of renting a car for the day. "Time sort of certain" reservations are required. The vineyards are quite hard to find without local knowledge and the pours are quite large. We stayed at the Hotel Argentino for 1/3 the cost of the Park Hyatt. The hotels are not equivalent, but Argentino is certainly acceptable We met some wonderful people both visitors and Argentinians during our stay. In fact most Argentinians are hospitable and seem to enjoy life.

Salta has limited craft shopping. It is far from most of the wineries since most of them are in the area around Cafayate. Having done multiple trips thru the desert in the U.S., the road to Cafayate was to us similar to what we have seen in the U.S. and in parts of Turkey.

The Sheraton Salta personnel were helpful and some of them were among the best I have encountered. Monica at the front desk could work at many international hotels with full competence.

Yes, Cafayate was disappointing. We expected a "great hotels of the world" experience and got a lackluster result reminiscent of an off season hotel in the Camaraque. Actually the small hotel in the South of France was much better because we paid only 30 Euros including breakfast. If The Patios had not been less advertised at the Sheraton Salta and had charged less perhaps our expectations would have been less. Yes, disappointing, but not a total disaster. After all, we would not have bought 5 Jujuy masks to bring back if we had not seen them at the Sheraton Salta and seen them displayed.

I included the language issue as a gentle "heads up" so you would be aware of the minor issues. Please keep in mind that my Spanish is terrible, but I normally can make myself understood and understand. Fact, I normally understand Spanish pretty well, not the case at all in Argentina or Chile. The accent is different, the words are different, the pronunciation is different and it is usually presented in rapid fire

Two examples:

Sheraton Salta has a very eager bellman. We pulled up to the hotel. He came out and greated us. I asked where to park the car. He grabbed the keys and said "Jo park la Auto, No worry". This turned into a minor dispute at check-out over valet parking. The car remained in the garage for two days since it is easier to take a remise than to attempt to navigate the one-way maze that is Salta. Traffic's not bad, but it is impossible to find one 's way thruough the streets. We never in numerous remise trips took the same route back to the hotel.

At the Patios we stayed only one night and at breakfast they offer eggs cooked to order. We ordered omelets. I asked if they had "Papas". The young server looked very confused. Obviously Argentinians do not have home fries with their omelets except at all the other Sheraton properties that we stayed in Argentina. The omelet came with French Fries stacked vertically. Perhaps the verticality qualifies the Patios as "Luxury Collection".

I normally can understand and be understood in Spanish. As compared to Mexico, In Argentina and Chile the words are different, they are pronounced differently, the accent is different and are spoken in rapid fire.

This makes it difficult to communicate, but often leads to some amusing stories. Like the time in Mont Mort (Champagne Region) France when I ordered "Tete de Veau" and received a whole boiled calves head thinking it was a veal medallion.