Image courtesy of Explora El Chaltén
There are few places on earth more wild and untouched than South America’s Patagonia region, which reaches down the western coasts of Chile and Argentina. The region's luxury hotels and boutique stays, in both Argentina and Chile, promise to bring you close to nature, pamper you with spa treatments and serve up regional and local cuisine.
But if planning a bucket list Argentina or Chile vacation, how do you choose between Argentine and Chilean Patagonia? While Patagonia is beautiful, whichever side of the border you visit, some differences are worth noting.
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Where to stay in Patagonia: Argentina versus Chile
Chile’s Patagonia region is smaller than Argentina’s, with most travelers focusing their journeys on Torres del Paine National Park and the scenic drive found on Carretera Austral. Because Chile’s Patagonia region is smaller, it’s easier to traverse and more manageable for travelers to explore in fewer days. On the other hand, Argentina’s Patagonia region is huge, stretching from the furthest tip of South America in the city of Ushuaia, and up toward Chile. When traveling to Argentina’s Patagonia, you can’t miss highlights like El Chaltén, a village within Los Glaciares National Park, and Perito Moreno Glacier.
Best hotels in Chilean Patagonia
Image courtesy of Tierra Patagonia
Awasi Patagonia
Image courtesy of Awasi Patagonia
As part of the Relais & Chateaux hotel group, Awasi boasts luxury hotels offering the utmost service in far-flung places like Iguazú, Atacama and Patagonia. Awasi Patagonia sits on a private reserve overlooking Chile’s iconic Torres del Paine National Park. With a luxury lodge and just 14 luxurious villas, Awasi Patagonia offers a boutique hotel stay with five-star service. At each of their South American properties, each villa is assigned a private guide who is immensely knowledgeable about the surrounding area. In Awasi Patagonia, your private guide takes you on private tours and helps guests connect to the surrounding wilderness. Beyond the excursions, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the stellar gastronomy that awaits at Awasi Patagonia. As at their other South American locations, the chef-curated menu pulls in local and seasonal ingredients for an ever-evolving gastronomic experience serving sophisticated and fresh fare. (At the Patagonia location, the food is whipped up by chef Fabrizio Aciares.)
Fora Perks:
Eight-course tasting menu experience.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Explora Torres del Paine
Image courtesy of Explora Torres del Paine
Explora offers luxury accommodations in both Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. Like its Argentine counterpart, the Torres del Paine National Park location boasts comfortable rooms with uninterrupted views of the surrounding nature. Sitting on the shores of Lake Pehoe, Explora Torres del Paine has on-site stables with 26 diverse horses, all trained to traverse the terrain unique to this region. After horseback riding, a luxury spa sits just 100 meters from the main building with a heated pool, steamy sauna and open-air jacuzzis overlooking the Río Paine.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Singular Patagonia
Mylodon Cave Natural Monument, Chile
For a special stay, look no further than The Singular Patagonia, a luxury hotel in Chilean Patagonia offering beautiful rooms and one special suite, in particular: the Singular Suite. The room is 750 square feet and has one wall-sized window stretching the room’s length, with views of the Fjord of Last Hope Sine. Inside, you’ll find a king-size bed, a spacious living room and an expansive bathroom with a marble design. Another great perk of staying at The Singular is the fabulous cuisine. At The Singular Restaurant, award-winning food champions local fare, while incorporating French trends and a Chilean spirit, all served in the property’s 100-year-old former blacksmith's forge. During your stay, take advantage of the myriad excursions: kayaking on Sofia Lake, a walking tour of the Mylodon Cave, horseback riding at Ballena Hill and plenty of hiking along the fjords.
Fora Perks:
Complimentary 50-minute massage for two.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Tierra Patagonia
Image courtesy of Tierra Patagonia
Tierra Patagonia looks like one with Torres del Paine National Park, rising from the terrain and seamlessly blending in with the magnificent landscape. Here, you’ll see the glistening emerald lakes, awe-inspiring mountain range and wildlife right from your room. The on-site Uma Spa provides the utmost luxury, with outdoor hot tubs, steam rooms and an indoor swimming pool encased by glass walls sharing views of the wilderness. The rooms are minimalist, using local wood and incorporating a design that pays homage to Patagonia, such as sheepskin rugs, handmade throws and patterned chairs with images of ancient fossils. Notably, Tierra Patagonia offers a ski and adventure program where you can combine a stay at a Tierra location with a week of skiing at the Portillo Ski Resort in the Andes Mountains. (And if you’re looking to ski stateside, check out the best ski resorts in the US.)
Fora Perks:
Complimentary 50-minute massage for two.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Best hotels in Argentine Patagonia
Image courtesy of Arakur Ushuaia
Aguas Arriba Lodge
Fitz Roy, on the Argentina-Chile border
Nestled in Argentina’s Patagonia region in El Chaltén, Aguas Arriba Lodge is part of the Estancia Río de las Vueltos, an expansive property where rolling mountains meet the shoreline. At the lodge, guests can expect the kind of privacy that only such seclusion can provide. In addition to all the expected amenities, including cooked-to-order breakfast and large windows offering stellar views, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as hiking throughout the property to discover the Patagonian wilderness.
Arakur Ushuaia
Image courtesy of Arakur Ushuaia
Ushuaia is considered a city at the end of the world. Found on the southern tip of Argentina, this resort town is a jumping-off point for travelers visiting Patagonia or catching a cruise to Antarctica. Arakur Ushuaia is a five-star resort and spa located inside the Reserva Natural Cerro Alarkén, a short distance from downtown Ushuaia. The rooms have panoramic views of the Beagle Channel and nearby valleys, and the entire hotel offers free WiFi and other amenities, including complimentary breakfast. But beyond the WiFi and breakfast, Arakur Ushuaia also provides guests with superb Argentine restaurants and an indoor and rooftop swimming pool. (See our list of the world’s best hotel swimming pools for more pool inspiration.)
Fora Perks:
Complimentary three-course lunch or dinner for two.
Breakfast daily.
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
EOLO - Patagonia’s Spirit
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
Patagonia is a wildly beautiful place where fjords meet temperate rainforests and glaciers greet mountains. It’s the sort of place you’ve likely seen on National Geographic, where pods of orca whales hunt seals found sunbathing on the sandy shores. As the name suggests, EOLA exemplifies Patagonia’s spirit, with rooms offering magnificent views of its natural surroundings. Located halfway between the city of El Calafate and Los Glaciares National Park, EOLO is a 10,000-acre property with activities ranging from horseback riding and trekking to bird watching and mountain biking.
Estancia Cristina
Image courtesy of Estancia Cristina
This remote lodge celebrates its spectacular setting of snow-capped peaks and gem-colored lakes. With its seclusion and climate posing obstacles for this adventure resort, Estancia Cristina has persevered to maintain an adventure paradise in its 20 homey guest rooms. Upon disembarking at this accessible-by-boat-only wonder, guests should prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime, “choose your own adventure” experience, rich with hiking, horseback riding, fishing and ATV journeys in the largely unexplored wilderness of Argentina’s Patagonia region. Craving more adventure? Check out more of the best adventure resorts around the world.
Estancia Maipu
Villa La Angostura, Neuquén, Argentina
Unlike some other Patagonian lodges and hotels on this list, Estancia Maipu sets itself apart by offering a homier stay that feels less like a hotel. Don’t expect spa treatments or room service during your stay, because Estancia Maipu is meant to feel like you’re a guest in someone’s home. With only six cozy rooms (all with private bathrooms), Estancia Maipu is tucked away in the remote Argentine Patagonia region, about a two hours’ drive from the nearest paved road. In other words, this lodge is remote, private and where to check in should you really want to get off the grid. During your stay at this boutique hotel, you’ll be treated to chef-made meals (like a traditional Argentine asado) and a myriad of activities, like hiking to Cerro de la Condorera to spot condors, or horseback riding to neighboring properties tucked away in the Cordillera de Los Andes. Also, on the large estate, you’ll find horses, sheep and the occasional puma roaming about. You’ll also find a small museum that speaks to the rich and ancient history of Patagonia.
Los Cauquenes
Image courtesy of Los Cauquenes
If you’re not loving the idea of checking into a hotel in Patagonia that doesn’t offer spa treatments, then Los Cauquenes is for you. This luxury hotel and spa offers a five-star stay with impressive views of the Beagle Channel and surrounding mountains down by Ushuaia, Argentina. All of the guest rooms at Los Cauquenes boast panoramic views of the Channel, extra-large beds, a satellite TV, private bathrooms and a spa bath. Speaking of spas, this luxury stay has a full-service spa where you can book massage and beauty treatments, or just soak in the hot tub and swimming pool. There’s also an on-site gym for fitness buffs, although we’d recommend getting your workout in with one of the many experiences on offer. Stop by the front desk to book anything from a hike to Laguna Esmerelda, subantarctic bird watching, a glacier hike or a visit to a nearby penguin colony.
Explora El Chaltén
Image courtesy of Explora El Chaltén
Explora El Chaltén sits in a private nature reserve on the north bank of the Eléctrico River. The lodge is surrounded by verdant forests and is the perfect jumping-off point to explore the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. There are 17 standard rooms and three suites to choose from, all of which offer stellar views of the Eléctrico Valley, the Marconi Glacier and the area’s mountain range. Outside your room, there are plenty of adventures to be had, with Explora arranging hiking, overland climbing and self-guided tours. After a day spent immersing yourself in the wilds of Patagonia, you can return to the hotel for spa treatments. The on-site spa at Explora El Chaltén has five open-air jacuzzis, two saunas and massage rooms for treatments.
Ready to travel? Connect with Fora to plan and book your trip to South America's Patagonia.