CasaMolle

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. Food is generally of a high standard at the restaurant.

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.

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.

Set a beautiful area of woodland, fresh water and traditional farmland that is so characteristic of the Pucon Valley, Hotel Vira Vira provides a delightful selection of comfortable accommodation with the intimate feel of a Chilean hacienda in its own 23-acre estate. The design is both modern and at one with the wild surroundings, with large windows and a warming use of wood. Just 21 beautifully crafted rooms are spread between the guest house and the main hotel building’s junior suites, with a handful of villa suites on the banks of the Liucura river and the opulent Ruca Suite set in the middle of the forest. The latter two options offer their own living room and fireplace, with a private terrace and an outdoor tub to enjoy the clear Chilean night skies. Vira Vira’s restaurant offers food created from homegrown produce, a blend of local, ancient indigenous recipes coupled with the best and truly fresh ingredients, accompanied well paired wines. The area around Pucon and the neighbouring Villarrica volcano is famed for its range of actives, from hiking and hot springs to a plethora of adventure activities. Several beautiful wilderness areas are nearby, including Huerquehue National Park, and horseback riding, mounting biking, river rafting, fly fishing, kayaking, varied hiking tours, ascents to the active volcano and even skiing on Villarrica’s slopes can be arranged. Each day, guests meet with Vira Vira’s excursion manager to discuss and plan excursions, or one can chose to explore the area around the estate, getting a glimpse at some of the rare wildlife species that live nearby or visiting the lodge’s farm to learn the skills of artisanal cheese making.