Few countries cater to luxury globetrotting experiences like a Chile vacation. This long country on the Pacific Coast of South America is a mecca for trekkers and adventurers everywhere. It has the driest desert in the world, the Atacama, in the north, the vast expanses of Patagonia in the south, the Andes Mountains running along the eastern border, and the waters of the Pacific to the west. With so much geographical variety, you’ll find luxury options all over the country. Whether you want to stay in a luxury hotel in the city, explore an ancient world on Easter Island, or hike through the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia or the Atacama, you’ll find plenty to indulge in. The following are the best options for a luxury trip to Chile.
Luxury Lodge in the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert, which stretches 1,000km north to south in the middle of Chile, is the driest desert in the world and the closest landscape on earth to what you’d find on the moon or Mars. However, despite how barren the landscape is, there is a lot of animal life to be found within its landscape of geysers, rock pools, and barren stretches of earth. It’s also an incredible spot if you love stargazing, as the remoteness and dry atmosphere makes for an undiluted view of the night sky.
While visiting the Atacama, there are two luxury lodges that blend into the environment and let you enjoy breathtaking accommodations while exploring the desert landscape. explora Atacama is located on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama, the main city in the desert region. Its exquisite lodge is a stunning work of modern architecture located on 17 hectares of flat land that act as an oasis within the desert. The massive suites combine traditional aesthetics with modern comforts and have incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Beyond the gorgeous design of the lodge, explora Atacama is unique for its private observatory, which takes advantage of the region’s incredible night sky. At explora Atacama, you’ll also have access to the Puritama Hot Springs Reserve, 8,000 hectares of hot springs owned by explora. Combine that with the over 40 excursion options, including visits to sand dunes, salt pans, and volcanoes, or horseback rides through the desert, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable base for adventure on your Chile vacation. In the Atacama, you’ll also find Tierra Atacama Hotel, which incorporates traditional Chilean features into its design. Each room has incredible views of the Andes Mountains and al fresco bathrooms that let you shower in privacy under the stars. On-site yoga and meditation means you stay limber while exploring the desert, while the al fresco hot tub and indoor infinity pool make sure you get to relax at day’s end. If you are hoping for luxury in the desert, there are no two better options than Explora Atacama and the Tierra Atacama Hotel.
Eco-Friendly Stays on Easter Island/Rapa Nui
Easter Island/Rapa Nui might be the easternmost island of Polynesia, but it’s technically a part of Chile, even if it shares more with Fiji and Tahiti than Santiago. Regardless, it’s one of the world’s best eco-friendly destinations, an island paradise where you can explore a mysterious history and marvel at the famous moai that dot the landscape.
On Easter Island/Rapa Nui, we recommend staying at Explora Easter Island, which disappears into the natural environment in an unblemished spot of land free of farms or excavation sites. The environmentally-friendly design limits the effects on the nearby environment, while the lack of TV or Wi-Fi makes it a perfect place to disconnect from the modern world and get in tune with nature on your Chile vacation. All 30 rooms are calibrated to capture the enchanting silence of the island, while the over 30 excursion options let you hike, bike, and snorkel or scuba dive to explore the island and the waters that surround it.
Respite in the Lake District
The Lake District is a testament to Chile’s geographic diversity. If you didn’t know it, you’d think the stretches of crystal-clear lakes, farmland, forests, and volcanoes belonged in another country, perhaps a European one, but Chile is diverse enough to encompass both desert and lake. German, Austrian, and Swiss immigrants settled in the region, giving it a distinctly central European style in the architecture and food. As well, it’s the home of the Mapuche people, who didn’t surrender to the Chilean government until the late 19th century, meaning it carries a distinct indigenous identity as well. The Lake District is the perfect area for hiking volcanoes or cruising across lakes. A great luxury base of operations in the region is Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira, which offers 18 rooms that capture the privacy of the region and blend into the natural surroundings. Each room has massive windows with incredible views of the countryside and large bathrooms that incorporate rustic styles, along with premium amenities. The hotel operates a nearby farm that supplies all the food cooked on site, so you’ll know that you’re eating fresh, homegrown food every time you dine in the hotel restaurant. Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira can set up hiking excursions for you to explore the countryside or adventures into nearby volcanic caves or hot springs. You can even try your hand at river rafting while staying here.
Luxury Adventure in Patagonia
Patagonia is the one of the most popular hiking destinations in the world. This immense stretch of barren landscape at the southern end of South America stretches across Chile and Argentina and has everything from mountains to glacial lakes to long stretches of barren hillsides. On the Chilean side, you’ll have two luxury options for accommodations while exploring one of the world’s best adventure destinations. explora Patagonia brings the same level of commitment and tasteful design that you’ll find at all their locations across South America. The lodge is located on the banks of Lake Pehoe in Torres del Paine National Park, the most popular spot in Chilean Patagonia. Every room takes advantage of the breathtaking views of the park with large windows and tasteful wood designs meant to blend into the background and not distract from the views outside your window. The food in the on-site restaurant is delicious, but light, making sure not to weigh you down with abundant carbs and other foods that’ll detract from hearty activity during your stay. explora Patagonia offers over 40 trekking routes through Patagonia and has a spa with a sauna and massage treatments to greet you at day’s end.
Tierra Patagonia Hotel also blends into the natural surroundings of the park and emphasizes contact with the outside world. Massive windows and whitewashed walls make sure your attention remains on the landscape outside your window, while the traditional throws and handmade rugs tap into the heritage of the region. While staying at Tierra Patagonia Hotel you’ll go horseback riding alongside Lake Sarmiento or hike to the iconic Towers in the company of expert guides. When you return from a day of activity, you’ll relax with hydro-massage therapy or stay balanced with an hour in the yoga studio. No matter which hotel you stay at in Patagonia on your trip to Chile, you’ll enjoy stunning accommodations in one of the world’s great wildernesses.
Premium City Stays
There is a lot to enjoy on travel to Chile, even if you never leave the capital city, Santiago. Santiago often gets overlooked in favour of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, but it’s got a lot of character and edge to it. The location, in the shadow of the Andes Mountains, means that you can enjoy a gorgeous view no matter what part of the city you’re in. Santiago also isn’t lacking for history and culture. Plaza de Armas has the city’s famous cathedral, while the historical centre, Palacio de la Moneda, offers a glimpse into the city’s past. For luxury accommodations, look no further than Singular Hotel Santiago, which sits in the heart of the city a mere 50m from Forestal Park. Singular Hotel Santiago is a family-owned hotel that prides itself on an excellent guest experience. The large bedrooms have incredible views of the city while the on-site spa and outdoor pool let you relax at the hotel at day’s end. The hotel’s location couldn’t be better as it’s an easy stroll to Plaza Mulato Gil de Castro and the GAM Cultural Centre, and Forestal Park is mere steps from the door. While staying here, you can get a sense of the city’s thumping nightlife or delight your taste buds by restaurant-hopping through bohemian Bellavista. Santiago is a city that’s easy to explore, and a luxury stay at Singular Hotel Santiago makes sure you have accommodations that match the splendour of the city.
The Ultimate VIP Tour
If you like the sound of each of these individual highlights to experience on a Chile vacation, but want to experience them all on one itinerary, you’ll want to take advantage of the Chilean Wines, Desert & Volcanoes VIP Tour, which encompasses the best of many regions of Chile in one luxury experience. This VIP tour takes you from Santiago to the Atacama Desert to the wine region of the Colchagua Valley, staying in luxury accommodations in each destination, as you take advantage of the diverse appeal of Chile. You begin in Santiago, where you’ll stay at the Ritz Carlton Santiago, located in El Golf District. The hotel’s luxury suites let you enjoy the breathtaking skyline of the city and offers great access to the local restaurants that abound in the area. You’ll explore the city sights during the day, and at night, you can relax while taking in the views at the rooftop spa or dine on delicious Chilean food in the restaurant.
After Santiago, you’ll head up to the Atacama Desert, where you’ll stay at Awasi Lodge, perhaps the most exclusive lodge in the country. The Awasi experience is all about personal concierges, who individualize trips for you and take you to the magical corners of the impressive landscape. The lodge itself is designed to look like an old Patagonian Shelter that respects the environment and pays tribute to the past. The beauty of a stay at Awasi is that your time there is 100 percent catered to your interests. If you like biking, your guide will take you along the best bike routes through the desert that only they know from years of experience. After discovering your own private corner of the Atacama, you’ll head south to the Colchagua Valley, a province known for its abundant wineries. You’ll stay at Lapostolle Residence in Colchagua, a small boutique residence that offers an intimate experience as you spend your time heading to the various wineries throughout the valley. Once you’ve drank Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah to your heart’s content and experienced the beautiful landscape of the valley, you’ll close out your journey by returning to Santiago.
A Chile vacation offers so much opportunity to enjoy luxury accommodations in some of the world’s best natural environments. Whether you want to horseback ride across the stark desert, hike beneath mountains and alongside glacial lakes, or take advantage of the fine food and wine to be found in the capital, a Chile vacation will pamper you with the best of service while showing you a world of adventure.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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