Explora Patagonia

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.

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.

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.