It’s safe to say that Chile is a country of extremes. In the north, the Andes bump into a desert that eventually disappears into the sea and, down south, a collection of glacial fjords and snow-capped mountains are the last stop before Antarctica. Happily, eco pioneers, creative innovators and some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet have set up camp (and lodge!) in these wildly-beautiful destinations. And if you can’t decide which one to lay your head in, take a look at our list of the best Chile lodges to get you going…
Explora Patagonia
Torres del Paine
Remember those mountains we spoke about? Well, the granite peaks of the Torres del Paine are Chile’s most famous, and Explora was built as close to them as humanly possible. The linear, edelweiss structures and vast windows frame views of Lake Pehoe, the tumbling Salto Chico waterfall and the Macizo del Paine – even from bed – and the rooms are decorated with icy blue, grey and white textiles, no doubt inspired by their surroundings. Electronics are superfluous and quite pleasantly, you’ll find no TVs anywhere. A walk along the hillside will lead you straight to one of the most unique spas you’ll ever come across, where you can choose to soak in an alfresco whirlpool or relax in the indoor pool and sauna. Needless to say, the vistas are extraordinary… To keep you busy, the lodge offers over 50 excursions including hikes and horseback rides in every direction: traverse part of the iconic ‘W’ route, gaze across the Grey Glacier, visit 4,000-year-old cave paintings, or trek to the base of the Torres del Paine.
Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
Atacama Desert
Tucked away between tangerine hills in the driest desert on Earth, days spent at the Hotel Alto Atacama feel magical from the moment you arrive. Inspired by local architecture, the lodge is protected by adobe walls and gardens filled with native flora, as well as a saltwater pool and six (!) further plunge pools – and after hours exploring the desertscapes, they are a welcome sight indeed. In the spa, a thorough pampering awaits with coca, brown sugar and almond oil-infused massages and geothermal treatments, and a wallow in the Jacuzzi. Back in the rooms, the interiors are desert-chic to the core with sandy hues, local motifs and macrame tapestries, and all are cleverly positioned to need as little air-con as possible. Shaded terraces enjoy views of the Salt Mountains, Andean Hills or the valley and are just the spot for a pisco sour. Outings in the Atacama are a true thrill and, along the way, you might hike across the surreal Valley of the Moon or aptly-named Rainbow Valley, walk amongst the erupting El Tattio geysers and salt flats coloured pink by flocks of flamingos, or learn about the desert’s earliest inhabitants.
Nayara Hangaroa
Easter Island
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui as its peoples have called it for centuries, is a bucket list destination if there ever was one. This remotest of islands sits at 3,700 km off the coast of Chile and is a mystery that unravels bit by bit as you explore. From Ranu Raraku, where most of the moai ‘heads’ were carved, to the relics of the sacred Orongo village, the underwater Cathedral caves and the incredible sunsets from the pink sands, a trip here is memorable in every way. And why not take it up a notch with a stay at Nayara Hangaroa? Spread across 17 acres of coastal cliffs, the unique eco-village pays homage to the island’s ancestors with traditional, grass-roofed huts built according to the Kainga philosophy of honouring Mother Earth. The rooms are a testament to this too, with natural, tree-trunk columns, black stone bathtubs and all-natural temperature control. Where possible, local, freshly-caught and harvested ingredients are used in the meals, which are most often enjoyed with a view of the ocean.
Vik Chile
The Wine Valleys
Whether you’d like to sample varietals from Chile’s bucolic wine country or put your feet up for a few days, the private Vik Natural Reserve does the trick. Perched with a prime vantage point overlooking the surrounding valley, lake and vineyard, every space at the hotel takes full advantage of the vistas, including the cantilevered pool jutting over the hillside. Design credentials are high, and the standout feature is a ‘floating’ titanium roof that mirrors the undulating mountain ridges and boutique suites. Creativity is present throughout the interiors, from the bold pieces in the Vik’s lounges and dining room to the bedrooms and their different themes, including Hollywood and Hermes’ iconic orange suitcases. One bathroom is entirely covered with coins! The most luxe lodge, however, is the bungalow with its 360° views, private terrace and hot tub. When you’ve finished admiring the design, spend your days sampling the region’s finest grapes including the Vik’s own, which are even used in their massages, and explore the paths less travelled with a horseback ride, hike, or bicycle trip.
Hotel AWA
Lake District
Mere steps from tranquil Lake Llanquihue where the snowy Osorno Volcano shimmers in the water, Hotel AWA was dreamt up by an owner who also happens to be an architect and designer – and it shows! In contrast with the untamed surroundings, the hotel is boxy and urban and enormous swathes of glass ensure the scenery is never out of mind. The interiors are warm and homely, inviting you to curl up with a book by the fire (the shelves are brimming), tuck into rich Chilean cuisine, and grab a glass of wine at the bar. Rooms are simply but artfully decorated with volcanic rock fireplaces and hand-crafted Mapuche items, but for the ultimate privacy, book the lakeside villa and enjoy a dinner a deux on the jetty. The view is the inspiration for your activities too, whether it’s kayaking on the water, standing in the shadow of a volcano, or trekking from lake to lake. Then, it’s back to the hotel for a dip in the heated pool or treatment at the hammam – and maybe another glass of something local…
Mallin Colorado Ecolodge
Aysen
A collection of charming cabins on the shores of Lago General Carrera, Mallin Colorado is the picture of alpine living. Don’t be surprised if a horse sidles up to your window for a look-see! There are less-remote rooms but the cabins are our favourite: cosy and rustic with tree-stump tables, woven rugs and Mapuche tapestries, some even boast their own dining area, fireplace and whirlpool tub. While the vistas from the cabins are wonderful, make sure to spend time wandering along trails, stopping off at lookout points to admire the mountains, lakes and glaciers below. Mona, the adventure dog, will happily join you too. Otherwise, head to the private beach for a swim, or venture further afield and sail amidst the Marble Cathedral caves and enormous glaciers. Aysen also happens to receive an unusual amount of sunshine for Patagonia – and isn’t everything better when the sun shines?
The Singular
Santiago
The Singular lives up to both its name and reputation with an address in one of Santiago’s most fashionable neighbourhoods, Barrio Lastarria, where art galleries, fine eateries and top shopping spots are your very trendy neighbours. The interiors are nothing less than gleaming, the social spaces decorated with vintage maps, New Yorker covers, and vivid illustrations of birdlife set against glossy furnishings. On the 8th-floor, the restaurant showcases French-inspired dishes made with Chile’s delectable seafood, while the rooftop pool and bar gazes over the city all the way to the famous Cerro San Cristobal. The rooms are eternally elegant – choose for a classic or uber-modern touch – and the marble bathrooms are exquisite. Out and about, there’s plenty of history and scenery to discover around the capital and the Singular puts you within easy distance of most of the highlights. By day, visit the Pre-Columbian museums, famous churches and parks along the way but come sunset, there’s only one place to be and that’s on the rooftop of the Singular, pisco sour in hand…
Casa Higueras
Valparaíso
Sitting in Mediterranean terraced gardens atop Cerro Alegre (‘Cheerful Hill’), Casa Higueras is one of the finest hotels in Valparaíso with style by the boatload. Built in the 1920s, the cream exterior is traditional yet seamlessly combined with modern accoutrements – there’s even an infinity pool and rooftop terrace looking out towards the Pacific. While the bedrooms now feature double-paned windows and TVs, their vaulted ceilings, vintage armchairs and artwork are a nod to Casa Higueras’ origins and Chile’s past. Should you be celebrating a special occasion whilst in residence, book the salon where you’ll dine on Chilean seafood under a twinkling chandelier. Outside, the town of Valparaíso is like a time capsule, with its hills covered in colourful merchant houses – including Pable Neruda’s La Sebastiana – and amazing murals. Explore on foot or via the historic funicular, which we highly recommend riding all the way to the port for dinner, when the boats are aglow under the night sky.
EcoCamp Patagonia
Torres del Paine
Scattered amongst the trees like enormous dinosaur eggs, the geodesic domes of the EcoCamp make this one of the most unique camps in Patagonia. In fact, the clever design and ‘leave no trace’ ethos inspired by the ancient Kawésqar tribe has earned the camp multiple awards over the years. You’ll stay in other-wordly ‘tents’ with skylights that make it possible to stargaze from bed, and surreal vistas of nothing but the Torres del Paine’s peaks. In the communal ‘main area’ domes, swap stories with fellow travellers over three-course Chilean dinners garnished with edible flowers followed by local craft beers or pisco sours in front of the log fire. When the weather’s just right, find a cushioned spot on the deck and take in the lofty views of Torres del Paine – one look at the ‘towers’ will have you raring to get out and explore. And those explorations might include a few hours trekking along the famous ‘W’ route (or spending a few days completing the whole thing), searching for puma prints and condor nests, and boating alongside the formidable Grey Glacier.
Hotel Mari Mari
Lake District
On arrival at Hotel Mari Mari, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had been transported to the Welsh coast: lush, green ridges unfold in front of you and through the windows is a quiet, windswept cove. Oh, but wait – is that sunshine? Yes, you’re still in Chile, in the eminently beautiful Chilean Lake District and the equally as lovely Hotel Mari Mari. Each of the hotel’s villa feels like a little private beach house, with their lounge, kitchen and terrace (complete with wood-burning hot tub) shared between a few other guests. The suites are simply but beautifully decorated and there are plenty of Scandi-inspired blonde woods and bold paintings of the flora. In the dining room, wall-to-wall glass fills the space with natural light and you’ll enjoy meals prepared with ingredients fresh from local farms and fishermen. Activities-wise, hike or ride horseback along the reserve’s many trails: with 9,000 acres and 13 miles of coastline there are plenty to discover. Leave dry land on a boat trip to spot penguin and sea lion colonies, diving marine birds and otters, and even jump in for snorkel, then thaw out in Mari Mari’s heated hot tub, and replay memories from the day.
