Best hotels in Chile

With its surreal valleys and sky-scraping mountains, the Atacama Desert is as unique as they come. Tucked between the caramel hills of Catarpe Valley, Hotel Alto is a true oasis, its gardens filled with cacti and pretty shrubs, authentic ceramics and plunge pools that mirror the ever-blue sky. You'll be welcomed with refreshing juices and the promise of an unforgettable stay, whether it's one of open-air spa treatments (hello hot volcanic stones!) and lazy days, or epic excursions to see ancient petroglyphs, flamingo-dotted lagoons, and technicolour valleys. You might have guessed that the sunsets are a dream, best enjoyed with a glass of Chilean wine...

While Easter Island (Rapa Nui) needs no introduction, the civilizations that were isolated for centuries on the volcanic formation in the South-Pacific Ocean still remain a mystery to many. Taking full advantage of the dramatic isolation, the Explora is well positioned to uncover some of this intrigue, and explore the craters and plateaus and come face-to-face with the famous moai sculptures. The staff and local guides are all experts on their locale and there are over 30 activities on offer, all designed to showcase the uniqueness of the island. On one day, you might hike to the 'Nursery' where the Easter Island 'heads' were carved, whilst the next could have you snorkelling with the endemic marine life.

&Beyond's very first venture into Latin America, Vira Vira has all their top-tier trademarks including a simple yet utterly tasteful style and a deep-rooted conservation ethos. Sitting amidst a sprawling alpine estate, the lodge enjoys 822 metres of river frontage and views of the snow-topped Villarrica Volcano - to be enjoyed whilst soaking in one of the alfresco hot tubs, of course. Amenities aside, you could easily stay a week thanks to Vira Vira's excellent list of activities, whether it's hiking through forests of 1000-year-old trees, horseback rides with a real Chilean cowboy (huaso), or skiing down an active volcano.

A collection of bucolic wooden cabins on the shore of Lago General Carrera, Mallin Colorado is as eco-minded as they come. Built sustainably from native woods and all on stilts, the flora grows uninterrupted underneath you - and don't be surprised if a horse wanders up to your veranda. The hotel's location in the Southern Carretera Austral of Patagonia receives an unusual (and very welcome) amount of sun, and remains fairly free of tourists. Explore this surreal setting on foot or horseback, where you'll soak up views of serene lakes, glaciers and waterfalls, as your guide shares his expert knowledge.

Sitting on the wonderfully-named Cerro Alegre (meaning 'Cheerful Hill'), Casa Higueras began as a 1920s mansion, which was restored and upgraded to fit the growing cosmopolitan changes in Valpariaso. Casa Higueras is five storeys of polished rooms, breezy balconies and interiors decorated with flowering orchids, vintage furnishings and luxury amenities. Once a stop-over port for 19th-century ships, Valpariaso was honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ripe with history and a deep appreciation for the arts. And the best way to experience the city in its renaissance? Undoubtedly on foot, admiring the colourful merchant houses and street art that lines the streets at your leisure.

A city at the very bottom of South America, Punta Arenas has a fascinating history, represented throughout its plazas and museums. Breathing new life into a 1920s English-style home, La Yegua Loca (translated as the crazy mare!) has combined decades of influence into one elegant package, sunshine yellow walls and all. The hotel honours its heritage with the serving of recipes handed down by their grandmothers and naming each room after old-fashioned Chilean trades and traditions. When you're not sampling a tangy porto sour or admiring the views of the Magellan Strait, do a little exploring of Punta Arenas and delve into its historic highlights.

At Timbuktu, far-flung, one-of-a-kind places are what makes us tick - and The Singular certainly fits that bill down to a tee! Arriving at the hotel, it'll feel like you've reached the end of the world... The hotel flawlessly integrates its industrial past with contemporary luxury. Outside, the extremes of the Patagonian climate juxtapose the sheer beauty of the landscape. And boy, is it worth exploring.

It could be said that Patagonia is the home of adventure in Chile and no one would agree more than the folk at Cascada Expediciones, who have spent the last two decades pioneering bucket list trips in the Torres del Paine. Built by hand in the centre of the reserve, their EcoCamp is an innovative collection of geodesic domes with views of the famous Towers. The camp has been recognised across the globe for its environmentally-conscious ethos with their own micro-hydro turbines, solar panels and carbon neutral projects. The camp offers multi-day treks across the Torres del Paine, taking in the ethereal scenery and sights.

The driest (and one of the highest) deserts on Earth, the Atacama is a revelation in surviving against all odds, from its endemic flora to the Aymara people who made their home in the same area Explora was built. While the hotel isn't far from the town of San Pedro, it has the feel of a true oasis, surrounded by 17 hectares of beautiful gardens alive with native plants and where thermal pools are dotted around for the ultimate al-fresco spa experience. Explora is known for its fantastic guided excursions, which will take you from salt flats coloured pink with flamingos to the surreal Moon Valley.

The conditions that make Rosario Valley one of Chile's finest wine regions - gentle coastal winds and sunny, temperate days - are also a winning combination for a laidback holiday, whether you spend it hiking into the hillside or sampling as many grapes as you like. Sitting pretty in a garden of well-groomed hedges and flowers, La Casona has a rather Tuscan feel to it with butter-yellow walls and terracotta roof. The Matetic Vineyard produces some of the best organic and biodynamic wines in the country, and you may just bump into their resident alpacas on a stroll through the vines. We believe 'idyllic' is the word.

Looking out at the ice-blue waters of Lake Toro and the iconic Torres del Paine, Patagonia Camp is entirely at one with nature. A passion project by adventurous travellers wanting to share this scenic corner of Chile with visitors, the guides at Patagonia Camp are experts in planning the ultimate day out. Trek across glaciers, foothills and valleys to discover the park in vivid technicolour, and along the way, learn about the original peoples of Patagonia as told by millenia-old cave paintings. The camp was also built to be feather-light with luxury yurts built on wooden platforms and an organic water treatment plant. You'll enjoy the view that much more knowing the camp's done its part to protect it.

Behind an unassuming facade lies a delightfully eccentric treasure trove that would make Wes Anderson proud. Every nook tells a story through vibrant colours and charmingly peculiar decorative pieces - spot the vintage Chilean movie posters if you can. The building's clever transformation has preserved delightful architectural quirks, with original 1950s terrazzo floors playing host to an utterly modern sustainability ethos. Rather refreshingly, the owner still pops by for morning coffee with guests, sharing sworn-by secrets about hidden art galleries and the city's best empanada spots (hint: skip the tourist-packed Mercado Central).

At the very edge of the earth, where the vast steppe meets imposing mountains, this striking wooden structure curves organically along a bluff overlooking a glacial lake. The design is nothing short of genius – local lenga wood bends and flows with the landscape rather than fighting against it, creating a cocoon of comfort from which to observe the wild drama unfolding outside. Step through the doors, and you'll discover forty elegant suites, all positioned to maximize those jaw-dropping views of the pampas and the iconic massif beyond. This is where intrepid adventurers rest their weary legs after days spent exploring one of the world's most spectacular national parks and where the ever-changing light creates a different masterpiece on the landscape every hour of the day.

Poised at the gateway of the legendary W Trek, this authentic estancia delivers front-row seats to nature's grand performance. The Kusanovic family has called this dramatic corner of Patagonia home since the early 20th century, transforming their working ranch into an adventure-seeker's paradise. From the cosy lounge, floor-to-ceiling windows frame those impossible-to-ignore towers, while the property's own organic garden and farm supply the kitchen with its distinctly Patagonian flavours.

Nestled on the edge of the world-renowned Torres del Paine National Park, Estancia Cerro Guido stands as a beacon of Patagonian heritage and natural beauty. This sprawling estancia (ranch) offers a unique blend of rugged wilderness and cozy luxury, inviting guests to step back in time to a simpler, more connected way of life. With its historic architecture, stunning vistas of the Paine Massif, and a working farm atmosphere, Cerro Guido provides an unparalleled experience. Guests can immerse themselves in the rhythms of ranch life, enjoy horseback rides across vast pampas, and relax in rooms that whisper stories of yesteryears, all while being enveloped by some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet.