The Singular Santiago

It’s this hotel’s bizarrely beautiful shape, designed to imitate that of a sun-bleached fossil on the ruggedly wild shores of Lake Sarmiento, which makes Tierra Patagonia such a striking place to stay. In fact, this sustainable lodge is known worldwide for its innovative architecture, which blends naturally into the landscape. The revitalised pampa, where the complex is based, has benefited from great conservation efforts, as well as focus on minimising footprint in this beautiful area. This impressive blonde-wooded, design-led ‘shell’ houses 40 simple yet sophisticated Scandinavian-style rooms. Their exposed timber interiors create a tangible Sauna-like warmth that contrasts well with the views of the desolate pampas outside. There are family apartments of two adjoining rooms available, as well as the extensive Uma Spa, which is particularly welcomed after a hard day hiking the Torres del Paine National Park, which is simple given the hotel’s superb team of guides and the varied activities on offer here. From horse riding to climbing, this great range of opportunities means you really can take full advantage of your truly magnificent surrounds.

Another luxury addition to San Pedro de Atacama, the Awasi is a truly special option. With outstanding service, the hotel offers an exceptional experience and all activities are completely private and personalised to your needs and requests. There are 12 suites, circular in shape and made 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, indoor and outdoor showers and inside you’ll find armchairs and alpaca blankets to keep you cosy. The hotel is beautifully decorated with wool hangings and hardwood and marble floors that evoke a sense of history and tradition. The restaurant uses local, seasonal produce to create beautiful looking and tasting dishes that show off some of the more unusual ingredients used in Chilean cooking. Its open-air setting makes for a truly magical and memorable meal. There is also a lovely outdoor pool which provides welcome relief from the heat, and there is plenty of outdoor space in which to relax. The hotel operates an all-inclusive programme, with all meals, drinks and excursions (all tailored to your needs) included.

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.

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.