When it comes to bucket list adventure destinations with amazing scenery, it’s hard to top the Torres del Paine region in Patagonia, Chile. I recently came back from the bottom of South America after spending nearly two weeks there and got a great overview. We have reviews of all the best luxury hotels in and near Torres del Paine National Park, so here’s a rundown with links to more information on Luxury Latin America.
We have been talking up these properties since we first had a correspondent in the one above back when we launched in the late ’00s, back when some of these weren’t even open yet, then added to our reviews as new contenders came along that were ready to make upscale travelers happy. Here’s a quick take on each of them that are well worth considering. Click through to the full reviews to see a more detailed rundown and more photos from this adventure travel playground — even if you just want to walk around and enjoy the views.
Explora Patagonia in Torres del Paine
The Explora group of Chile has expanded quite a bit over the years from when they kicked the lodging company off with this lodge in a stunning location in the Torres del Paine National Park. With an opening date of 1993, this property is hitting middle age soon. They’ve had plenty of time to tweak and refine the operation over the years. This was the blueprint for subsequent openings in Rapa Nui, Atacama, the Sacred Valley, El Chalten, and more.)
You could say that Explora was the first to really offer a luxury all-inclusive package in the Americas that was focused on adventure excursions rather than just ordering cocktails from a lounge chair. You could be forgiven for wanting to spend part of your time in a lounge chair though when the property has a view like this:
It would be a shame to be this close to these Patagonian peaks and not do a bit of exploring though, which is easy here since one trip a day is included in the rates. You can hike, go horseback riding, take a boat trip, or many other activities (from 40 on offer) with some of the best-trained and most experienced guides in Chile.
You’ll eat well while you’re here and have a cocktail or Chilean wine of your choice at hand when you want in the evenings. When it’s time for a well-deserved rest, you’ll do more than bunk down.
All rooms are stylish, simple, and plush. The bathroom amenities are luscious and there are plenty of drawers and closets for unpacking and settling in. Lovely Moulie chocolates are a highlight at turn down and your lovely in-room amenity is a collection of small hardcover books. One covers the natural features of Patagonia, one covers the cultural history of Patagonia, and the third is a blank travel journal. Nice touch. There are no TVs in any of the rooms at explora Patagonia. That would be an insult to the view.
This is one of the most eco-friendly hotels you could stay at in South America and one where you won’t see much of anything that gets thrown away.
See our full review of explora Patagonia hotel, once known as “Salto Chico” after the nearby waterfall.
Tierra Patagonia
With a rare 3-keys rating from Michelin and an appearance on most glossy magazines’ lists of “Best Hotels in the World” at some point, Tierra Patagonia has earned a reputation as the place to be in the area if you want exemplary service and pampering on the pampas. Like the property above, it is in the park itself and has terrific views of the mountains in the distance, but in this case from a different angle that can include the famous towers when the weather is clear.
Tierra is part of Baillee Lodges, with a sister property in Atacama and others on the far side of the world. It is known for high-service excursions in the area, with small groups going out on excursions or sometimes one guide per couple or family. When you are lounging at the hotel though, the experience will be grand.
Inside, the décor is pared down with more of that same lenga wood, cow hide rugs, and sheepskin covered cushions creating a casual chic haven with a roaring fire, low light, low music, and that view. At nearly 54,000 square feet, the Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa never feels crowded even when all of its 40 rooms are occupied. High ceilings, large windows, and plenty of nooks and crannies within a loft-like design mean there’s always a place to relax after an adventure, a place to celebrate after an adventure, or a place to plan your next adventure.
See our full review of Tierra Patagonia Lodge.
Awasi Patagonia
If you want to feel like you have the views to yourself, pony up for a stay at Awasi Patagonia, where there are only 14 self-contained lodging units on site, all looking out at the jagged mountains and Lake Sarmiento. Because there are so few rooms here, this lodge offers the most private excursions, each customized to fit the guests’ wish lists and interests, with a dedicated guide and driver.
As with Tierra, this is part of a small regional chain, with sister Awasi properties in Atacama, Iguazu Falls, and Mendoza. This one is a Relais & Chateaux property, so you know you’re going to eat well come dinner time, which is definitely not a given in Patagonia, no matter how much you’re spending, especially given how far so much of the fresh produce has to travel.
The property is about 30 minutes from the park itself, but sits on its own sheltered nature reserve. Wildlife is abundant and more trees than in most spots provide a bit of a windbreak.
The location of Awasi Patagonia came about as a result of riding. The spot was chosen after the owners saw a sketch by 19th century British explorer, Florence Dixie, who traveled Patagonia on horseback, keeping a travelogue and making sketches of her favorite views. As a guest at Awasi, the same view Florence sketched can be enjoyed from your private hot tub in front of your lodge, curling up beside your wood burning stove or sipping Calafate Sours at sunset.
See our full review of Awasi Patagonia.
Patagonia Camp
This property also sits on the edge of the national park rather than having a concession within it, but it’s certainly not lacking for empty space: there are 87,000 acres of protected land on a reserve by a lake. Where you’ll sleep here is certainly unique as well, with free-standing structures that are in a class all their own.
Opened in 2007 on a vast tract of privately-protected land, Patagonia Camp really did start out as an idea for a humble camp. Those plans soon morphed into a collection of 20 luxuriously appointed yurts, specially designed and fortified to endure the wind and elements of Patagonia, that are connected by wooden walkways on a hillside that slopes gently down to the shore of sparkling and crystal clear Toro Lake, one of the largest lakes in Chile.
Get one of the jacuzzi yurts to massage your tired muscles after a day of hiking in the park, which is only about 20 minutes away. To eliminate a drive altogether, go on outdoor activities within the property’s private Patagonia Camp reserve, including kayaking, hiking, and fishing.
See our full review of Patagonia Camp in Chile.
Remota Patagonia Lodge
We just stayed here on our most recent trip and we were thrilled with the aesthetic quality of the architecture and the unique design. It has won plenty of awards over the years, and rightly so.
It’s not inside the Torres del Paine National Park, or close to it, like the others above are, but it still has some nice views: in this case the Fjord of Last Hope and two sets of mountains. Rates are much lower here because it’s further to drive and the price is not all-inclusive, but also, you’re right by the adventure town of Puerto Natales instead of being isolated in a location where there’s no other commercial option around. When it’s time to fly out, you’re also only about 10 minutes from the airport.
See the video above for a full tour of the property, including its spa, the restaurant, the ample lounges, and a room. Even the hallways are interesting here and you can get a massage before drinking a glass of Chilean wine by an open fireplace. See our detailed review of Remota Patagonia here.
The Singular Patagonia
We checked out The Singular Patagonia Hotel soon after it opened in 2011 (then their second one in Santiago a few years later). The main building structure goes way back though. Officially designated as a national historic site, it functioned as a meat processing plant and cold storage facility to serve what was the main industry in the region: sheep farming.
You can order lamb in one of the two restaurants if you want to stick with the theme, but you’ll also get regular reminders of the heritage in the industrial-chic decor in the public areas. Take a tour of the facility to learn more and see a lot of the original machinery in place. The wing where the rooms are located is newer, but the architect took cues from the original building elements in some of the design touches.
The property is just up the road from Remota, on the road out of Puerto Natales, facing Last Hope Bay and mountains beyond. The 57 rooms all take full advantage of the view, including an armchair facing the window wall in the standards, a living room set facing it in the suites. The indoor-outdoor pool also comes with a view and you can walk around the grounds and by the lake to change up the view.
The property is 40 minutes to an hour from Torres del Paine National Park, so you won’t be right in the middle of nature like you are at explora. You’re closer to the airport and other dining choices here, however, plus The Singular has plenty of its own excursions for you to enjoy.
The most emblematic excursion offered by the hotel combines a boat tour through fjords and past glaciers in the hotel’s own boat. An early departure helps ensure that Singular guests reach these natural wonders before other tour boats arrive. The second half of this tour includes a visit to one of two nearby estancias for a traditional asado (barbecue) lunch and the chance to go hiking or horseback riding on the estancia property.
Our correspondent wasn’t as impressed by the cuisine as she was with the terrific service and stunning design throughout. This is a common lament in this region, unfortunately, but hopefully the chef will be having a better day for you in this unique property with so many positives.
See our full review of Singular Patagonia in Chile.
Special Access Hotels in Torres Del Paine
These two properties aren’t luxury hotels, so we don’t have reviews of them. But they do offer access to one area because of a concession they have, so they’re worth considering if you’re interested in that particular aspect.
Hotel Lago Grey sits on the namesake lake and also runs the only boat trip that heads out to Grey Glacier, a popular activity for visitors in the region. The hotel has a stunning view of the lake and biggest mountain in the region. When I was there we also had a resident huge iceberg in the foreground. See more information here, including reviews from past guests.
Las Torres Patagonia Hotel sits on land owned by an estancia family going back to before the national park was established, so if you’re doing the hike up to the base of the towers, or the famous W Trek that includes that section, you’ll be on private land that the same company running Las Torres owns. Naturally, they have a prime location for starting the hike, with amazing views, plus they have lots of horses for rides in the region. See more info on Las Torres here and check rates for booking a stay.
