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.