Luxury Chile Explorer

Overview

Nestled in the northern desert of Chile, the Tierra Atacama encapsulates exquisite design and authentic experiences. The hotel has been designed to be casually elegant in a neo-minimal style, with rooms intricately decked out with local, carefully sourced, hand-made textiles to add an authentic desert feel.

Within the guest rooms you’ll find touches of local culture everywhere, from handwoven throws to cowhide rugs and llama figures carved from the volcanic rock of nearby Toconao. Rooms range from the Oriente rooms, which feature private terraces and volcanic views, to the apartments. These can accommodate up to six people and are spread over two floors.  All rooms look out over the Andes mountain range and nearby volcanoes, with views of the desert available from dusk until dawn.

For dining, you can enjoy a blend of the rich flavours of Chilean cuisine and local produce from the Atacama Desert in a restaurant inspired by the desert surroundings. Whether indulging in traditional Chilean specialities or sipping on world-class wines at the bar, you’ll be enveloped in an atmosphere of simple luxury.

There are a plethora of activities to embark on during your stay at the Tierra Atacama as well. Feast your eyes on the Tatio Geysers, one of the world’s most impressive geothermal sites, uncover the bewildering sights of the Salar de Atacama on a captivating excursion to Chaxa Lagoon, or you can even unearth ancient petroglyphs and admire a kaleidoscope of color at Rainbow Valley.

When you’re not exploring the hotel’s surroundings, Tierra Atacama will offer you the opportunity to rejuvenate yourself within its spa. Soak in the al fresco hot tub, enjoy a spa circuit as you drift between the indoor pool and steam room, or dive into the outdoor pool. The spa’s treatments also incorporate natural ingredients from the region, such as sheep’s milk, honey, and clay. If you prefer yoga to relax your muscles, there is an area located on a shaded platform within the gardens.

Overview

Almost imperceptible from its backdrop of baked red rock, emerging as a perfectly placed traditional adobe settlement, it takes an even closer look to discover that this is, in fact, the very conscientiously designed and luxuriously authentic Nayara Alto Atacama. Its beauty is matched by its sustainable ideals, with the resort dedicated to integrating into the environment without causing harm to the immediate landscapes or ecosystems.

In the shadow of the Cordillera de la Sal and with the San Pedro River coursing by its enviably remote and magical position in the Atacama desert means it is well placed to explore the surrounding natural sights of deep, sweeping valleys and canyons, kaleidoscope skies, serene lagoons, ancient ruins and tempestuous geysers.

Yet the location is only part of the hotel’s unique allure; its design both in and out stylishly embraces the aesthetic of the Altiplano and Atacama. Varying textures in the form of colourful earth-tone tiles, Brea lamps, cave paintings, local iconography, sculptures, and coarse Aguayo tapestries and Amerindian textiles, blend to create an inviting, warm and intimate atmosphere to the contrasting wilderness outside. Each comfortable room features its own terrace and is equipped with many modern appliances and luxuries.

What’s more the hotel’s activities and expeditions are expertly planned and personalised to you, with private guiding available. The staff will do their utmost to look after you and there are many facilities to enjoy at the hotel, such as yoga, spa treatments, hot springs, or just sitting under the patio awnings gazing at the spectacle in front of you.

Overview

Within the ancient town of San Pedro de Atacama lies Awasi, a 12-suite lodge complete with communal areas and a restaurant. The lodge offers a private guide and a 4WD vehicle with each room, so your Atacama Desert adventures are mere moments away. The hotel’s experiences are all completely private and personalised to your needs and requests.

The stunning suites of Awasi Atacama are circular in shape and thoughtfully crafted from adobe, stone and wood which help to keep them cool in the day and warm in the evenings. Each suite has its own private patio along with indoor and outdoor showers, whilst ten of the suites also feature their own walk-in wardrobes and chaises longues. For the rare, chilly evenings you’ll find cosy armchairs and alpaca blankets to wrap up warm in.

Throughout the lodge the walls are splashed with beautiful decorations of wool hangings and hardwood and marble floors, all of which evoke a sense of history and tradition.

The charming restaurant uses local, seasonal produce to create delicious dishes that show off some of the more traditional ingredients used in Chilean cooking. Its open-air setting makes for a truly magical and memorable meal.

For a welcome relief from the heat take a dive into the outdoor pool, or relax under the twinkling stars in one of the common areas, the crackling flames of the nearby fire pit your only companion.

Operating on an all-inclusive basis, Awasi Atacama ensures that transfers, accommodation, full-board meals, non-alcoholic beverages and all excursions are seamlessly included in your stay, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this extraordinary experience.

Overview

The Explora hotels are perhaps Chile’s most famous, meaning Explora Atacama comes with an enviable reputation to live up to and it’s pleasing to say that it doesn’t disappoint.

Everything about the hotel exudes understated quality, with tastefully furnished, extremely comfortable rooms. Each has its own jacuzzi in the bathroom and a cut-out floor to ceiling window with panoramic views.

There are four interconnected high-design swimming pools and saunas, a stargazing platform (complete with high quality telescopes) and an open bar. The hotel is also home to a superb restaurant.

The programmes offered are all inclusive, so all meals, most drinks and all tours are included in this price. Explore this beautiful region either on foot, horseback riding, bike, or 4WD excursions. There are also cultural excursions and high mountain ascents ranging in difficulty and altitude. For safety reasons, high mountain hiking requires a minimum of two-night acclimatization but we’d recommend four nights here simply to get the most out of your time here.

Overview

The extraordinary sophistication and contemporary chic of the Vik Chile is quite simply unparalleled in Chile’s wine region.

Fresh from an extensive refurbishment, this 22-room (with seven Puro Vik glass pods) avant garde luxury boutique hotel is set within the 4,400-hectare Millahue Valley and Vik vineyard, just two hours south of Santiago in the Colchagua Valley area. Each suite is individually themed and decorated, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows which allow guests to take in the majestic views of the region. A newer addition to the hotel, guests can now choose to stay in one of the separate Puro Vik glass pods, providing an incredible vantage point for overlooking the valley.

The lodge is decorated in keeping with the vineyard’s holistic and ecological principles and it’s almost as if the exterior’s inconspicuous minimalism was intended to touch the hillside on which it perches. This spectacular sense of floating is further emphasised by seamless glass windows-for-walls in the rooms. Yet the insightful use of dark heavy woods, rough natural materials, functional furniture and a minimal elegance also makes the lodge feel contrastingly very solid, grounded and stylishly real.

The lodge enjoys uninterrupted views of the vineyards and lake and there is a cosy sitting area with a fireplace, patios with sofas, and a well-equipped and elegant dining room where excellent traditional Chilean cuisine is served.

Plenty of activities and expeditions can be arranged to suit guests according to their time and preferences, especially with immediate if not exclusive access to the vineyard and winery.

Overview

Set in the picturesque Colchagua Valley in Chile’s verdant wine region, a half-day’s drive from Santiago, Clos Apalta is a family-owned estate owned by a seventh-generation winemaker. A boutique hotel and winery with a blend of French and Chilean expertise and design, resulting in exquisite wines and an exceptional stay. The property features ten luxurious accommodations, four casitas and six larger villas, all with spacious bedrooms, living areas, spa-like bathrooms and private sundecks. The villas also include their own plunge pools.

Clos Apalta is committed to sustainability, for example its compost and water treatment plants are 100%  organic and energy saving. The vineyard is also completely organic and their wine exports are carbon neutral.

There’s plenty of activities to enjoy while staying in Clos Apalta including visiting the winery, wine tastings, cooking lessons with the head chef and outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding where foxes, peregrine falcons, and eagles call this stunning landscape home.

Overview

Set around 50 miles from Santiago in the Casablanca region, this boutique vineyard produces entirely organic wine. This is a traditional wine ‘Estancia’ and was originally built at the beginning of the 20th Century set in it’s own San Antonio Valley of around 27,000 acres. The main building housing the accommodation blends traditional style with plush furnishings and was entirely refurbished in 2004. Rooms are spacious and have their own private terrace.

The winery itself is an advanced gravity-flow facility producing excellent Syrah (judged to be among one of the world’s best). There is an excellent restaurant on site and a good number of activities to keep guests occupied including horseback riding and harvesting, as well as relaxing in the beautiful gardens.

Overview

Experience the outdoor feel of camping in this beautiful area of Torres del Paine, whilst spending your nights in the geodisic domes of Ecocamp Patagonia. Inspired by the traditional constructions of the native Kawesqar people, these domes allow plenty of light and space during your stay; choose from standard, superior or suite domes, the latter two of which include heating and private bathrooms.

There is also the suite dome loft, which is just as spacious as a suite dome but has an added loft that makes it an ideal accommodation for families and large groups. The lodge hosts a maximum of 76 guests ensuring a more personal feel as well as minimising the impact on the local environment.

Other domes include the community domes, which provide a meeting place for breakfast and again at the end of the day where you can share an evening cocktail and tasty Chilean dinner at communal tables in the dining room. Check out the library or browse through EcoCamp’s store stocked with locally-made products. There is also a yoga dome, which overlooks the Patagonian pampas and hosts two classes a day. Give your muscles a break and head to the massage room situated beside the mountains to experience Man Keokén.

Ecocamp Patagonia hosts many tours of Patagonia‘s majestic landscape, which include activities such as hiking, kayaking and horseback-riding.

Overview

Patagonia Camp is one of the only true luxury camping experiences of its kind in South America. Set on a bluff overlooking one of the stunning lakes in the region each of the spacious ‘yurts’ is heated, has a private terrace and bathroom with shower and hot water.

Service is excellent and a full programme of activities is included as well as all meals.

Overview

Housed in the restored, post-Victorian cold-storage factory ‘Frigorifico Puerto Bories’, the Singular Patagonia is part of a National Monument that has been sympathetically and stylishly converted into one of Patagonia’s most elegant hotels.

Located on the shores of the Señoret Channel, at the end of the Ultima Esperanza Sound, the Singular Patagonia is ideally placed for expeditions to some of Patagonia’s most inaccessible parts and sights. With two of their own boats to explore the intricate fjords, channels and islands, as well as a wealth of other land-based activities, you really will have the entirety of the Torres del Paine at your disposal.

The hotel’s décor blends regional character with the building’s unique history for a contemporary industrial chic fused with a warm, old-style comfort. All of its 57 rooms command steely Patagonian views over the channel water or rugged plains, whilst soft carpets, cosy beds and traditional pieces of furniture add a warmth to their  bunker-style design of bare concrete walls and seamless glass windows.

For dining the Singular Restaurant celebrates the mountain ridges of Seno Última Esperanza, presenting locally-sourced ingredients fused with French trends. Indulge in traditional Chilean dishes in a delightful historic and rustic atmosphere of the property’s 100-year-old former blacksmith’s forge at El Asador. We also highly recommend Pisco Sours at sunset.

The main highlight of the Singular Patagonia, however, is certainly its experiences. Enjoy everything Chilean Patagonia has to offer: visit local estancias, explore the Milodon Caves or head out to the town of  Puerto Natales and wander through its mountainous national park.

Overview

You wouldn’t think that the spectacular Patagonian region of Torres del Paine could get any better regarding luxurious design-led hotels, but it has, courtesy of the exclusive sibling hotel to Awasi Atacama, and the only lodge in the area to offer tailor-made excursions for each guest. Adding to that, a portion of the proceeds from each guest’s stay helps to support The Awasi Patagonia Conservation Project, which aims to create a natural corridor for wildlife. Awasi guides also help to monitor the puma populations and keep hunters away, increasing the properties, and its guests, positive impact on the region.

14 wooden-clad, shipping crate-style ‘villas’, which were inspired by the old outpost shelters, lie scattered over the wind-protected private reserve, facing the epic Lake Sarmiento and the famous three-tower peaks. Inside, the warming and minimal Scandinavian cabin decor nicely cushions you from the harsh weather outside, with natural wood interiors, large inviting beds, your own living room with log fireplaces, a hot tub and with every modern amenity to hand. The master villa, which has two bedrooms, is perfect for families.

The dispersal of these freestanding villas befits the solitude of your surroundings, giving you a pleasing level of privacy but also a heightened experience of the landscape’s isolation.

The main house, just a short walk from the villas, features a Relais & Chateaux restaurant, terrace and living area. Awasi is renowned not only for its style, but for tailoring its tours to each individual guest and for serving delectable gourmet food. Guests can choose whatever excursions they want to do, without having to compromise for the sake of a group.

Overview

Perhaps the most famous hotel in all of Chile, the Explora Patagonia one of the most stunning settings in the world.

Simple and cool from the exterior, things could not be more different once inside. There are large picture windows everywhere (even in the bathrooms) to make the most of the stunning vistas surrounding the hotel. Much of the furniture is hand crafted from local wood and slate, and there are many little design touches to make things more comfortable. The hotel also has a large indoor swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzis.

All activities are included in the programme as are all meals and drinks.

Overview

The Singular Santiago is a luxury hotel in the Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago.

A sister hotel to The Singular Patagonia, The Singular Santiago is located in one of the artiest areas of the Chilean capital, Lastarria: the Museum of Fine Art, the Museum of Visual Arts, and the Gabriel Mistral Center are all within walking distance of the hotel.

It’s not just the location that’s appealing: the rooftop pool provides a scenic setting in which to both cool down after a day exploring Santiago and take in the view; the spa offers post- or pre-long-haul flight massages; and the Singular Restaurant serves French dishes alongside local specialties, such as Guanaco and Penca, to keep the flavour decidedly Latin. The ninth-floor Sky Bar is the perfect place to polish off a day in Lastarria.

There are 62 rooms: the Patio Rooms and the Classic Rooms overlook the Plaza Mulato Gil, and the Deluxe Balcony Rooms have views across the Parque Forestal. All rooms at The Singular benefit from stylish decor and all the mod-cons you could wish for, including wireless internet, LCD TVs, large and comfortable beds, and well-equipped, spacious marble bathrooms.

Overview

Hotel Magnolia offers you an oasis where the art of hospitality and comfort are celebrated. The 42 rooms are inspired by history and each highlights remarkable details, like the stained glass windows of the heritage building. The decor is elegant, with a focus on being a home away from home.

Overview

In keeping with its worldwide siblings for contemporary luxury design and snazzy urban style, it’s no wonder that the W Santiago is now the trendiest hotel in the capital with a phenomenal rooftop pool and bar that boast the best views over the city.

Accompanying a kaleidoscope of colours and ultra-modern sophistication designed by Toni Chi and Sergio Echeverria, W Santiago is a fantastically well-equipped hotel with three restaurants specialising in French, Asian Fusion and Chilean cuisines. There’s a beauty salon, bar lounge, tea library and business centre not to mention its superb location but a few steps away from the best bars, restaurants and shops in Santiago.

The rooms are sleek, modern and spacious and the staff are aplenty and very helpful in fulfilling the ‘Whatever, Whenever’ motto.

Overview

Mandarin Oriental Santiago enjoys a reputation for style, service and outstanding facilities. You’ll find it in the exclusive neighbourhood of Las Condes making it the perfect place to call home while you’re in this part of South America. There are 310 spacious and calm rooms to choose from, with incredible views of the Andes Mountains, city or garden.

The hotel’s collection of restaurants and bar offer a unique fusion of flavours from around the globe. Enjoy the art of Nikkei cuisine at Matsuri. Taste outstanding wines coupled with unforgettable Italian dishes at Senso, or unwind in the Atrium Lobby Lounge.

When you’re not out discovering everything the city has to offer, while away the hours beside the pool, or enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment.