On our Radar: Chile and the Tierra Lodges

The family owned and run boutique lodges are inspired by Chile’s amazing nature. Tierra Hotels offer tailor-made excursions and authentic gastronomy in journeys which combine active adventure with relaxation in their spas. Discover Tierra Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama, Tierra Chiloé on the Island of Chiloé and Tierra Patagonia, in Torres del Paine National Park.

Chile Terra Lodges

Escape to a world of clear night skies, high altitude lagoons and moon-like valleys at Tierra Atacama. High in the northern desert of Chile, Tierra Atacama lodge encapsulates exquisite design, authentic experiences, and an intimate, home-away-from-home atmosphere, where a sense of both adventure travel and pure relaxation lingers in the air.

The essence of this unforgettable desert landscape is at the heart of Tierra Atacama. The property was designed by some of Chile’s most renowned architects, with regional sensibilities, eco-friendly design, and boutique comforts firmly in mind. One should visit Tierra Atacama for experiences that will leave you feeling fully restored by the time you leave. Your experiences at Tierra Atacama adventure & spa hotel is made all the more special through a personalized excursion plan, offering a huge array of activities from horseback riding to volcano hiking, as well as soothing sessions in the Uma Spa, complete with a menu of treatments influenced by the desert climate, native flora and ancient therapies.

All rooms have views of the Atacama Desert & Licancabur Volcano. The dining experience makes the most of local produce, filling the menu with innovative twists on north Chilean cuisine. You will be able to enjoy a wide range of excursions and activities around the Atacama Desert, which are included in the all-inclusive programs. Unwind in the spa or gaze out at the stunning scenery while relaxing in the outdoor pool after your desert adventures.

Atacama hotels - Desert adventure with Tierra Atacama Hotel & spa
Tierra Atacama

How many days should you stay in San Pedro de Atacama? We generally recommend that you stay at least 3 or 4 nights at Tierra Atacama. This will give you time to unwind, relax and take in several Atacama Desert Highlights.  However, you can easily spend a week in this stunningly beautiful, stark desert environment without getting bored. If you are interested in climbing the Lascar volcano you should plan on staying at least 5 nights, since you will need to acclimatize and do some practice hikes in the preceding days.

Paradise in the south of Chile. The archipelago of Chiloé is an enchanting place in many ways.  In addition to its stunning and diverse natural landscapes, just steps away from Tierra Chiloe, you’ll find what many believe to be the island’s best spot for birdwatching: the Pullao wetlands. The wetlands stretch for about one kilometer and serve as a seasonal home to thousands of species migrating from the northern hemisphere, such as the Hudsonian godwit, the whimbrel and the Rhynchops niger, among others.

Known for its rich gastronomy, the farm to table restaurant at Tierra Chiloé indulges in the rich produce of the local fishing community, which surrounds the hotel. As such, guests are treated to a plethora of seafood dishes, where mussels, sea urchins and other ocean treats fresh from the daily catch await. In addition to close ties with the local fishermen and farmers, our chef makes homemade breads and pastries, and the local specialty, the traditional Chilean cuisine dish “curanto”. This celebratory preparation is done in a hole, in contact with mother earth. It cooks slowly on hot rocks stacked with choritos (a local bivalve), meat, native potatoes, and sausages.  Chapaleles and milcaos (types of potato bread) must also be added and, on top, nalca leaves are placed, allowing the ingredients to steam cook. The thousand-year-old culture celebrates its traditions. Each year, the Mapuche people celebrate We Tripantu, an important ancient tradition which, between June 21 and 24, marks a new beginning – a change of cycle propelled by nature’s constantly renewing energy.  This date coincides with the winter solstice, an astronomical phenomenon interpreted by this ancestral culture as the “rebirth of life”.

To be exact, this event occurs when our planet reaches its maximum distance from the sun.  This is the longest night of the year and the days that follow are also longer.

We Tripantu

At the start of the We Tripantu, the sun “begins to return” and nature experiences multiple changes: the rains arrive which will bring new sprouts, the rivers renew their waters, the birds rise early, the animals shed their coats.  All the Earth’s energies are renewed.

There is something more profound that its visitors value and treasure: the warmth and kindness of its people. This is a characteristic that catches the attention of both resident and foreign tourists. Visitors who have stayed at Tierra Chiloé return home enamored with the warm friendliness the locals. 

Spa and gastronomy in Chiloé, a true pleasure. The impressive nature that surrounds Tierra Chiloé creates the ideal ambience to recharge and enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation.  A healthy experience can be further boosted with the natural therapies and massages offered by Uma Spa.  Uma Spa at Tierra Chiloé Spa & Wellness Hotel – a place of blissful tranquility with locally sourced materials and all-natural ingredients – encourages you to unwind and rejuvenate far away from your everyday life.

After a day of active exploration around the island, slip into one of the two soothing, heated pools. Another option is the intricately constructed and calming sauna, guaranteed to help you to relax. Make time in your itinerary for one of the Uma Spa’s unique treatments, which include shiatsu, reflexology, and deep-tissue massages. The relaxation spa itself is warm and inviting, with local wood and heated stone floors, creating a cozy refuge from the often-rainy weather outside. Enjoy the steam room or sauna, treat yourself to an indulgent massage, or just press pause and gaze out at the wildlife rich Pullao wetland from the outdoor heated infinity pool. Its exquisite, heated pool with views of the Pullao wetlands, refreshes the body and mind, and then relax in the indoor hydromassage pool.  It is a gift to give yourself time to disconnect. 

Tierra Chiloé

The gastronomy at Tierra Chiloé is characterized by its emphasis on local flavors, with fresh and organic ingredients, as well as innovation in its textures.  The sought-after curanto, with its delightful ritual of opening it in front of the guests is a full experience.  Just as such are the sinfully delicious desserts.

Excursions to connect with nature. The excursions with Tierra Chiloé’s all-encompassing portfolio of guided tours, include hiking, biking, kayaking or sailing your way through the charming landscapes of Chiloé.  At Tierra Chiloé, they also offer private guides and transfers for the bespoke experience.  Hiking and biking Tierra Chiloé is an excellent way to explore the natural beauty of this marvelous archipelago in the south of Chile, as well as its traditions and culture.  The team of guides can prepare a varied selection of activities, with different levels of difficulty, which combine adventures both by sea and through the native forests. Along with horseback riding, trekking, or biking, there’s also the alternative to sail on the Williche, a wooden yacht built in the chilote style which moves around the islands just as the local inhabitants have done for centuries.  This season, sail among dolphins, penguins, and sea lions, on sunny days. It is bewitching!

Best patagonia hotels: Tierra hotels recognised by T&L World's best award
Tierra Patagonia

Tierra Patagonia…Emerging beside craggy mountains and the glistening Lake Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park, the Tierra Patagonia hotel weaves itself into the landscape with subtle style, blending into the magnificence of the region. Here in this untamed part of the world, the perfect spot for an adventure vacation, what you see at our Patagonia adventure spa hotel is emerald lakes, fantastic mountain ranges and abundant wildlife. At Tierra Patagonia, an award-winning eco-luxury Torres del Paine hotel, we invite you to forge your own relationship with the famous Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. While staying at this sustainable luxury eco-lodge, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wilderness, and you can enjoy an endless array of outdoor excursions and Torres del Paine tours. The architecture of the lodge is beautifully integrated with the landscape and offers stunning views of the park. The hotel’s design is purely Patagonian with locally sourced materials and artworks. These split-level, wood-paneled suites measure 51sq m, with an upstairs living-room and a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom with a bath tub and separate shower downstairs. The neutral decor lets the views – over the lake and the mountains of Torres del Paine – do the talking.

Suites at Tierra Patagonia - Rooms with a view of Torres del Paine
Suite at Tierra Patagonia – Rooms with a view of Torres del Paine

Every day is a new adventure. Choose from a varied range of guided tours and excursions to explore the park your way. One day you might decide to go sailing on Lake Grey to see the glacier and icebergs up close. The next day you could go horse-riding on a Patagonian Estancia with the local Chilean cowboys known as “huasos”. If you like hiking, then you’ll be able to choose from hiking trips which explore every corner of Torres del Paine national park. Whether you prefer to explore on foot, horseback, bike, or boat, our all-encompassing portfolio of tours and activities delves into every corner of the park.

Tierra Patagonia

Adventure travel and simple luxury, blended into an unforgettable experience. Relaxation and pampering await you after a day of exploring. The Uma Spa restores your mind, body, and soul, as do the warming fires and friendly service. Tierra Patagonia is a true home-from-home Torres del Paine hotel for exploring this bucket-list destination, where adventure travel and luxury are combined.

Best outdoor adventure weather: November to February.

Best crowd-free months: September, October, March, April.

Best months for stargazing: December to February.

Most crowded month: January.

Best months for snow sports: June to August.

Viña Vik – Master Wine Class   

As if you might need another reason to travel to Chile and visit Viña Vik, a magical destination! The property is an art filled 22-suite avant-garde retreat and wine spa located in Millahue, Chile on the VIK vineyard. Tucked into the heart of Chilean wine country, Viña Vik is a hideaway just two hours south of Santiago. The ultra-modern design, offering uninterrupted views of the mountains and vineyards—encompassing 11,000 acres of unspoiled land—the design is reminiscent of a Frank Gehry structure.  Winemaking is the primary focus here, with 4,500 acres of vineyards hills and native woodland, one of South America’s top vineyards, the property offers rustic yet glamorous refined rooms and outstanding hospitality.

Viña Vik

The vineyard retreat is perched on a hilltop above a lake at the center of this spectacular 11,000-acre vineyard with panoramic 360-degree views of the vines, multiple valleys, hills, forests and mountains up to 1000 meters with the majestic Andes Mountains in the distance.

Viña Vik is offering a truly exceptional Master Class that Master of Wine, Tim Atkin will be leading at the property with their VIK wine team from September 20th to the 23rd, 2018. 

Tim Atkin is one of the most highly recognized wine critics in the world and a very engaging and charming British Master of Wine.  He is also an award-winning wine journalist, broadcaster and commentator and judges several international wine competitions.  He also happens to be an outstanding photographer.

Having Tim as mentor and guide at the vineyard, where he will share his knowledge and delve into topics such as wine making, grape varieties and vines, the similarities and contrasts between France and Chile and the art of pruning promises to be a one of a kind experience. He will also do a blending seminar with the group for you to blend your own VIK wine and will be teaming with the VIK winemakers to explain what VIK has done in their vineyard and in the winery with the latest technology and the best wine making practices to reach for our goal of creating a truly exceptional wine to enter the pantheon of the best in the world. The dedicated Vik Chile team will be ready to unfurl the entire VIK experience for you from the high degree of luxury that the retreat provides with its art, architecture and design to the organic haut cuisine at Milla Milla, the nature of the vineyard, the wine spa’s luxurious treatments, plus outdoor activities as you wish in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Let us know if you are interested in joining what is sure to be a great group in Chile!

It would be hard to choose a favorite room, after my recent trip to Portugal and marveling over all the tiles, my Azuelejo suite at VIK featured a beautiful mural of the Vik family in tiles.

Azuelejo suite

Rooms at Viña Vik are beyond spectacular – 22 rooms: 17 Suites, 4 Master Suites and 1 VIK Master Suite. The suites have fabulous views to the vineyard and nature surrounding Viña Vik. 
- South Wing: Suites and Master Suites overlook the valleys, vineyard, hills and lake with one Master Suite overlooking the Andes Mountain range. North Wing: Suites and Master Suites overlook the Falaris – Colchagua Valley and vineyard with one Master Suite overlooking the Andes Mountain range.

Azuelejo suite Bath

Vina Vik Suite

Wouldn’t you rather be here? Vina Vik