If you haven’t been to Patagonia, and especially the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, let me prepare you for the first moment you open your eyes in the daylight and take in the scenery. Everywhere you look, you will be wowed. And the perfect front row seat for your experience is Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa.
On the edge of Lake Sarmiento, Tierra Patagonia’s gigantic picture windows offer jaw-dropping views of the Paine Massif. All you have to do it sit there as the light changes from morning to evening, and challenge yourself to not fill up the entire memory card in your camera. I nearly grew tired of a friend making fun of my constant remarks.
“Wow…” I’d comment and then trail off.
“Pretty?” he’d ask, with a smirk, knowing what I was thinking. To be honest, that’s about the only vocabulary you need.
Despite the capricious Patagonian weather, the big spaces at Tierra Patagonia make it seem as if you’re outside in the middle of the grand vistas. Instead, you get the benefit of the views without bundling up. But when you do go outside and look back at the hotel, you’ll notice how the long, thin building fits into the landscape—rather than detracting from it. On a hike along a nearby rock buttress, I could barely spot the hotel.
Recently opened in December 2011, the resort allows guests to enjoy the region’s dramatic beauty in five-star comfort. Tierra Patagonia’s 40 rooms come in three styles: suites, superior rooms and family apartments. Suites boast a two-story loft design with a living space up top and sleeping space below. Superior rooms are just spacious enough, with a huge bathroom and tub with a view. Family apartments are made of two interconnecting superior rooms, thus allowing a family not only more space, but two bathrooms as well. All hotel rooms have showers and bathtubs, L’Occitane products, robes, slippers, hairdryers and in-room safes.
There’s a three-night minimum at the all-inclusive resort. Rates start at $1,950 per person for three nights, based on double occupancy. Staying an odd number of nights? A third of the three-night rate is $650. Tierra Patagonia’s all-inclusive offerings include transfers to and from the Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, or Calafate airports; three meals per day and open bar; daily excursions; and use of the Uma Spa facilities (treatments are available for an additional charge). Special rates are available for children and teens.
Guests on the hotel’s adventures and excursions are accompanied by bilingual guides and include: walking and hiking, horseback riding, scenic tours and visits to estancias. While I was a guest at Tierra Patagonia, I hiked along nearby buttresses to spot condors, hiked the Paso de la Guitarra, climbed to the Mirador Ferrier and went horseback riding in Estancia Lazo before having a tasty Patagonian barbecue.
Not feeling adventurous? Skip an excursion and simply relax at the hotel. Those breathtaking views look as good from the living room as they do from your bedroom. For extra pampering, relax with a spa treatment or swim in the indoor pool. Just like the views of Torres del Paine, there’s wow factor everywhere you turn.
See more at the official website for Tierra Patagonia.
See reviews of other luxury hotels in Chile.
Article and photos by Jill K. Robinson of Danger Jill Robinson.
I was a guest of Tierra Patagonia during part of my stay in Chile.
