The Best Luxury Hotels & Lodges in Patagonia

With a foot in both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a windswept, often fairy tale setting home to millennia-old alerce trees, turquoise lakes, fjords that teem with kelp forests, and snow-capped mountains where Andean condors circle overhead.  

The sense of serenity that reverberates through this rugged region is only reaffirmed in the cozy spaces and warm hospitality of the best luxury hotels in Patagonia. At these rustic-luxe retreats, you’ll adventure out with naturalist guides by day, then tuck into regionally inspired meals and fine wines. Close out another well-lived day in Patagonia while lounging fireside or soaking in a hot tub beneath a spangle of stars.  

The best luxury lodges in Argentine Patagonia

Eolo Hotel | El Calate, Argentina

Eolo Lodge, a 17-room Relais & Châteaux-associated hotel, is easily one of the best luxury hotels in Patagonia. Located on a 10,000-acre estancia between El Calafate and the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, this reclusive property offers guests the utmost privacy. From each direction, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of isolated steppe, distant plateaus, and a small lake that’s sometimes dotted with flamingos.  

You won’t have to set foot off the property to enjoy Eolo’s rugged backyard.  On-site activities include walking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and birdwatching in total exclusivity—which is hard to come by in El Calafate’s perpetually high-demand wilderness. Once you’ve explored Eolo’s enveloping wilderness, use the lodge as your base to visit Perito Moreno (and Los Glaciares National Park more broadly), and perhaps cruising Lake Argentino or ice trekking atop a glacier.  

Eolo highlights: 

Hike or walk the trails that lace Eolo’s exclusive wilderness alongside an expert guide, tuning your eyes to the native flora and fauna that thrive in this rugged environment.  
After a horseback ride through the foothills of Cero Frías, or to a glacial lake, unwind with a cocktail in the bar that offers sweeping views of the Patagonian scenery.  
Take a luxurious and lazy rest afternoon, ordering room service to your suite. From the portrait-framing windows, watch the sun cast its shifting light across the Patagonian landscape.  

Who will enjoy Eolo? Those who want a relaxing reset; discerning travelers who want to experience the isolation of Patagonia while still having the absolute finest of everything. 

Estancia Cristina | El Calafate, Argentina

Situated in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, journeying to remote Estancia Cristina is an adventure in its own right. On a two-hour catamaran ride on Lake Argentino, you’ll pass Upsala Glacier while dodging icebergs before arriving at the green-roof ranch, tucked within the vast steppe. In this off-the-beaten-path location, Estancia Cristina guests enjoy a spectacular setting all to themselves—a luxurious privilege in southern Patagonia.  

First settled by a pioneering family in 1914, the original homestead still stands,  but guests experience life in the wilds of Patagonia in modern comfort, in one of 20 rooms in four ranch cottages. There’s plenty of local lamb and Argentine wine to sip and savor, and unobstructed views of the 9,000-foot Cerro Norte are a major distraction, but it’s adventuring through the stunning surrounds that’s the main preoccupation at Estancia Cristina. And options abound, from trekking and horseback riding to boating, fishing, and birdwatching.  

Estancia Cristina highlights: 

Saddle up for a full-day guided ride through the Río Caterina Valley. Ponies with traditional, short-cropped manes lead you through Patagonian steppe, across rugged terrain, and through streams to arrive at scenic viewpoints. 
Whether you want waterfalls, glaciers, or native forest, countless options for hiking (self-guided or expert-led) and expedition trekking reward with invigorating adventures in total wilderness.  
Try some must-sample Patagonian asado, grilled meats cooked over flame and smoke.  

Who will enjoy Estancia Cristina? Outdoorsy travelers who want to feel a world away. Horse-lovers and hikers will get their fill here, too. Children are welcome.  

Explora El Chaltén | El Chaltén, Argentina

Seated on the forest-carpeted floor of the Electric Valley, granite walls frame the astounding view that Explora El Chaltén looks upon. Nearby, an icy blue river cuts a braid through the lenga and ñirre trees, and Marconi Glacier looms aloft. The remote setting, paired with Explora’s outstanding hospitality, hygge-contemporary interiors, and 30-plus expert-guided excursions, make it one of the best luxury lodges in Patagonia. Your only predicament is whether to enjoy the scenery from inside the sanctuary of Explora El Chaltén or on a self-guided walk, expert-led hike, rock climb, or on a technical, high-mountain ascent.  

Explora El Chaltén highlights: 

Set out with guides, hiking right from the lodge to explore Los Huemules Conservation Reserve. Or, overland into Los Glacieries National Park to follow any number of trails that lead to glaciers, valleys, and views of toothy Mount Fitz Roy.  
Knead sore muscles in the forested spa, where you’ll also find saunas, and five outdoor Jacuzzis with valley views.  
Meals at Explora El Chaltén are nothing short of a palate-teasing journey. The menu philosophy is driven by regional cooking and wild-harvested, seasonal ingredients supplied by small purveyors.  

Who will enjoy Explora Chaltén? Travelers wanting the total luxury package (fine dining, stellar amenities, and high-touch service); folks craving a secluded hideaway in an otherwise well-trodden destination; and hiking enthusiasts seeking out uncrowded trails.   

Aguas Arriba | El Chaltén, Argentina 

There are no roads to Aguas Arriba, a secluded lodge in the heart of southern Argentine Patagonia. The property’s luxurious quality doesn’t come from clawfoot tubs or infinity pools, or its proximity to El Chaltén iconic trails. Rather, it’s the luxury of solitude in a privileged, boat-accessed wilderness setting.  

A destination lodge unto itself, the lodge’s setting is sublime. Translating to “upstream”, Aguas Arriba sits within a private parcel of 1,700 acres and stands at the edge of Lago del Desierto. Steep, forest-blanketed slopes rise from the lakeshore, capped by Vespignani Glacier. Toward the end of the lake, low mountains frame a peek-a-boo view of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. You’ll share the scenery with Aguas Arriba’s closest neighbors: Magellanic woodpeckers, trout, and deer.  

Aguas Arriba highlights: 

Accommodating a maximum of 12 travelers in five suites at any one time, guests remark that they feel extraordinarily welcomed by owners Ivor and Pato.  
Spend time hiking along a web of trails that lead through moss-hugged forests and along creeks and rivers. Adventurous guests can mountaineer high ascents with expert guides.  

Cast a line while fly-fishing, explore the lake by boat, picnic in the wilderness, do yoga on a platform in the forest, or simply enjoy the picture views from a plush armchair next to the lodge’s stone-laden fireplace.  

Who will enjoy Aguas Arriba? Avid hikers and anglers; travelers who appreciate welcoming hosts in a home-away-from-home setting.   

Las Balsas | Lake District, Argentina 

This Relais & Châteaux-associated hotel is less than two miles from the center of charming Villa La Angostura but feels a world away thanks to its lakeside location in Nahuel Huapi National Park. Counting just three suites, twelve bedrooms, and two villas (with four more to come), a stay at Las Balsas feels more akin to a friend’s fabulous lake house than a hotel. Plus, you have some of Patagonia’s best fly fishing, hiking, and kayaking just out the door.   

Las Balsas highlights: 

Sample some of Argentina’s finest wines; choose from a curated selection of 150-plus labels stored in the stone and cypress cellar. 
Unwind in the hot tub and sauna, followed by a hydrating facial or a restorative massage at the on-site spa. 
Sail on a wooden ship along the Nahuel Huapi lakeshore, arriving at an enchanting myrtle forest where you’re welcomed with a local craft beer.  

Who will enjoy Las Balsas? Travelers who prefer a cozy, boutique accommodation in Villa La Angostura with personalized service; romantic couples, foodie, and road-trippers.  

Los Cauquenes | Ushuaia, Argentina 

Los Cauquenes’ russet red roof and timber frame construction evoke all the charm of an alpine chalet—except that it has a front-row seat on Tierra del Fuego’s Beagle Channel. Located in Ushuaia, a city at “the end of the world,” and framed by mountains on one side and the sea on the other, the lodge ranks as one of the best Patagonia luxury hotels.   

Activities abound and there is something for every age and ability to enjoy. Hike to Laguna Esmerelda or the Martial Glacier, take a cooking class, enjoy lunch while sailing the Beagle Channel, or go penguin watching. A set of zig-zag stairs leads to a private beach; bold adventurers might don a drysuit to snorkel nearby algae forests.  

Los Cauquenes highlights:

Swim in the heated pool that is half inside the spa and half outside on the terrace.  
Sample Patagonian specialties such as king crab or lamb at Reinamora, the hotel’s prestigious (but never pretentious) restaurant that overlooks the Beagle Channel.  
Board Los Cauquenes’ exclusive boat, Akawaia, to reach Martillo Island where you can see the world’s southernmost colony of Magellanic penguins. With luck, you might spy some gentoo penguins, too.  

Who will enjoy Los Cauquenes? In a destination where many travelers are only transiting through on their way to Antarctica, long(er)-stay guests are able to truly get under the skin of Tierra del Fuego and enjoy its world-class hiking and Beagle Channel excursions.  

Bahia Bustamante | Coastal Argentine Patagonia 

Located in a pocket along Argentina’s wild Patagonian coast, Bahia Bustamante’s trappings and furnishings might be rustic, but the experience and hospitality that encompass it make it one of coastal  Patagonia’s best luxury lodges. This family-run property occupies the austere dwellings of a 1950’s-era seaweed settlement that harkens to the pioneering spirit that mid-century settlers embodied on this lonely shore.  

Fronting a sandy stretch of beach, four Superior Cabins and four Marine Lofts offer modern conveniences and are minimally adorned with organic textures and creamy neutrals that take nothing from the superb sea views. You’ll find nods to Patagonian culture throughout, including at the restaurant where you can sample local fare such as the seaweed that’s long been harvested here, fresh fish and seafood, lamb, and traditional Argentinian dishes.  

Bahia Bustamante highlights:  

The wild beauty of coastal Patagonia and its resident wildlife is the main draw of this ecolodge, set within the Patagonia Azul Biosphere Reserve, which has been described as the Argentinian Galapagos. 

Twice-daily, half-day excursions venture to nearby Peninsula Gravina and Cabo Aristizábal. Bike, hike, horseback ride, or tour via 4×4 to explore beaches, rock canyons, archeological sites, and to swim in a rock pool that overlooks the ocean. Hinter to the coast, inspect the vestiges of a petrified forest.  
Explore the waters, coves, and islets of Caleta Malaspina (Malaspina Cove) by boat. Visit a colony of Magellanic penguins and sea lions, and spy all manner of marine birds, and—seasonally—spot migratory whales.  

Who will enjoy Bahia Bustamante? Adventurous travelers who don’t need gilded finishings and spa amenities; intrepid, marine safari-goers (it’s one of the few, true wildlife destinations in Patagonia); those interested in lesser-visited areas of Patagonia.  

The best luxury lodges in Chilean Patagonia

The Awasi Patagonia, Tierra Patagonia, and Explora Patagonia properties are the most luxurious options in and around Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Each has its own special qualities, so whatever your taste, there’s sure to be a perfect fit luxury Patagonia property for you.

Awasi Patagonia | Torres del Paine, Chile

Far and away one of the best luxury hotels in Patagonia, the all-inclusive Awasi Patagonia is a Relais & Châteaux-associated property and a Leading Hotel of the World. The property sits outside Torres del Paine’s park borders, within a private reserve overlooking the iconic granite spires and Lake Sarmiento.  

From the moment you arrive, you will understand why Awasi service is known as some of the best in the world. Each suite is assigned a private guide and a 4WD vehicle so you can explore at your own pace doing, well…whatever you feel like, and whenever you feel like it. Tucked into a landscape of lenga and nirre trees, 14 hygge-luxe eco-villas are well distanced from one another, and feature crackling fireplaces, king-sized beds, soaking tubs, and an outdoor wood-burning hot tub always kept heated to perfection. Evening meals are a multi-course affair where gorgeous, regionally inspired dishes are first eaten with the eyes.  

Awasi Patagonia highlights: 

Hiking with your private guide means you have the liberty to stop when you want to birdwatch, picnic, or take as many pictures as you want.  
Visit a traditional estancia to learn about gaucho culture, and to share in a Patagonian asado (barbecue). 
Chat with the on-site sommelier to try memorable, small batch wines you definitely won’t find anywhere else. 

Who will enjoy Awasi Patagonia? Discerning travelers who want privacy and exclusive excursions—and don’t mind paying for it; people who prefer to avoid the hubbub of staying inside Torres del Paine National Park.   

The Singular | Puerto Natales, Argentina

Looking upon The Singular’s industrial brick facade and outstretched wooden pier, there are obvious clues that point to its storied former life. When a boon of early 20^th-century sheep-farming settlers arrived in southern Patagonia, cold storage plants were necessary for processing and exporting wool, and tinned meat to Europe. Following its closure in the 70’s, the building sat vacant. Later renovated and expanded, the historic site was reincarnated in 2011 as The Singular—now one of Patagonia’s best luxury hotels.   

Merging a modern steel-and-glass guest wing with its post-Victorian brick facade, Singular pays homage to the heritage of the region while offering luxurious shelter in a jaw-dropping setting. The property sits upon the shores of Última Esperanza Sound (Fjord of Last Hope) and looks out upon the distant mountain ridges of Antonio Varas Peninsula. Unencumbered views are framed by spectacular, 20-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. Fifty-seven spacious guest suites also boast those same oversize picture views, heated floors, plush seating, and freestanding tubs. A two-to-one staff-to-guest ratio assures personalized, attentive service and top-notch guiding.  

The Singular highlights: 

Choose from a selection of 20 made-to-measure excursions that include cruising a fjord end-to-end on one of Singular’s two high-speed boats, horseback riding at a local estancia, and trekking past icebergs.  
There are two gourmet eateries on-site. The Singular Restaurant is stewarded by award-winning Chef Hernán Basso, who fuses French cooking with regionally sourced ingredients like king crab, Patagonian hare, rhubarb, or white strawberries. El Asador occupies a former blacksmithing forge and serves wood-fired proteins. 
Take a guided hotel tour and its antique objects to immerse in the history that gave rise to the Sociedad Explotadora Tierra del Fuego and Frigorifico Bories, the most important cold storage plant in Chilean-Argentinean Patagonia.  

Who will enjoy The Singular? History lovers who appreciate the “living museum” guest experience; travelers looking for a land’s-end vibe in a lesser-visited destination with excellent excursions to oft-overlooked parts of Torres del Paine National Park, and other nearby wilderness.   

Explora Parque Patagonia | Patagonia National Park, Aysen Region 

In 2018, Chile gazetted 10,000,000 acres into five new national parks in Patagonia. This massive effort was made possible by the donation of 480,000 privately owned acres that were endowed by Kristine Tompkins, co-founder of Tompkins Conservation and widow of Douglas Tompkins (founder of The North Face apparel company). Patagonia National Park is one of Chile’s most important eco-restoration efforts and travelers can experience this rewilding project for themselves when staying at Explora Parque Patagonia.  

Sitting within Patagonia National Park, this 10-room property is hugged by grasslands, mountains, rivers, and lakes. It’s the only formal accommodation within the boundaries of the park, granting guests unprecedented access. Constructed from locally quarried stone and heavily accented with wood, Explora evokes the handsome “Parkitecture” of North America’s great parks—with a distinctly Patagonian twist. Customized “explorations” (daily excursions), culinary excellence, rustic-luxe esthetics, and outstanding service all make Explora one of Patagonia’s best luxury lodges.  

Explora Parque Patagonia highlights: 

The on-site restaurant was designed by Pablo Jesús Rivero, owner of Buenos Aires’ Michelin-star Don Julio restaurant, and his consulting chef Guido Tassi. 
Choose from nearly three dozen expertly guided full- and half-day hikes, bike trips, or other outdoor rec including paddling, scenic van excursions, and high mountain ascents. 
After invigorating adventures in unspoiled nature, relax in one of three outdoor hot tubs overlooking the serenity of the Tamango and Tamanguito Hills.  

Who will enjoy Explora Parque Patagonia? Travelers with an interest in conservation and sustainability; those looking for a jaw-dropping, crowd-free Patagonia wilderness setting.  

Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa | Chiloé Island, Chile

Set within the rugged island landscape of the Chiloé Archipelago, Tierra Chiloé is a heavily windowed, avant-garde architectural wonder that offers views of both the sea and Pullao Bay. Local artisans stylishly decorated interior elements of this all-inclusive hotel. Traditional woolen blankets and rugs, custom wood furniture, and cozy sheepskin-covered chairs adorn the space. Tierra Chiloé has 24 rooms, two suites, and five family rooms, and is just a short drive from the city of Castro and Mocopulli Airport. Stay active while horseback riding, kayaking, biking or on a boat ride, then come back to warm up and unwind by a fireplace or in the Jacuzzi.  

Tierra Chiloé highlights: 

Excursions such as horseback riding along age-old villager footpaths or foraging for shellfish during low tide root guests to ancestral Chiloé traditions.  

Tour the craggy coast aboard Williche, the hotel’s private boat, calling on the islands of Chelín (home to a UNESCO World Heritage site) and Quehui. 
Tierra Chiloé has some serious eco-credentials. Solar panels generate 50 per cent of the energy needed to power its operations while special technology reduces water consumption. 

Who will enjoy Tierra Chiloé? Culture enthusiasts will appreciate how the property builds memorable connections to the island’s unique communities and traditions. Tierra Chiloe will also appeal to wildlife lovers, families, and travelers who want to experience more than Patagonia’s glaciers and steppe.    

Awa | Puerto Varas, Chile

Clad in glass, steel, and concrete, ultra-contemporary Awa presides over Lake Llanquihue. Surrounded by national parks and delivering stunning views of the Osorno volcano, the property is one of the best luxury hotels in northern Patagonia. We love that there are just 25 rooms and that privately guided experiences like horseback riding, fly fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, river rafting, and hiking are made-to-measure. When you’ve worked up an appetite, let Awa’s creative kitchen set your palate ablaze. Chefs lean on the on-site garden and orchard for organic produce, transforming ingredients pulled fresh from the soil into memorable plates. At Awa’s spa, wellness-seekers will appreciate yoga programming, a menu of treatments, and the hydro jet pool.  

Awa highlights:  

Awa’s contemporary and borderline Brutalist construct will endear high-design enthusiasts. Visual tension that draws the eye to the lake and volcano was intentionally baked into the design. A cantilevered, semi-Olympic lap pool adds architectural allure—and begs for a swim.  
Forage fresh ingredients from the garden during a cooking class where you will learn and then sample Patagonian dishes.  
Hike in an ancient alerce forest that is home to pudu (the world’s smallest deer) guiña (a small wild cat), and the tiny marsupial called the monito del monte. 

Who will enjoy Awa? Couples, active travelers, and foodies; adventurers who want convenient access to northern Patagonia’s lakes, rivers, volcanoes, old-growth forests, and mountains.  

andBeyond Vira Vira | Lake District, Chile 

Located on an organic working farm hemmed by national parks, andBeyond Vira Vira is an upscale boutique lodge in Chile’s Lake District. Home to volcanic peaks, steaming hot springs, glassy glacial lakes, rainforest, and dotted with ancient araucaria (‘monkey puzzle’) trees that exude ancestral energy, it’s a lesser-visited corner of Patagonia that looks nothing like the region’s southern reaches.  

A destination resort, Vira Vira features six suites and 12 villas within its wooden frame, sitting on a 34-acre estate. A five-bedroom exclusive-use hacienda is a family-friendly option. Views from the property look upon 2,700 feet of riverfront and the snow-capped Villarica Volcano. Complete with hot tubs, barbeques, outdoor fires, river rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, biking, horseback riding, and hiking, a stay at Vira Vira feels like an upscale, grown-up summer camp. A spa, guided forest bathing, and yoga round out the wellness offering while heli-skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and natural hot springs make Vira Vira a bona fide winter destination, too.  

Vira Vira highlights:  

An on-site helicopter whisks guests away for high-altitude hiking, catch-and-release fishing, mountain biking, and skiing. Take a scenic pass above Villarrica Volcano for a breath-taking aerial view.  
On a Mapuche community visit, meet Indigenous locals and learn about traditions and natural medicine, sample ancestral recipes, and play cheuca, a game similar to field hockey.  
Tour Vira Vira’s on-site cheese dairy and organic garden, then see it all come together on the artfully plated meals served in the gourmet, farm-to-table restaurant.  

Who will enjoy Vira Vira? Outdoorsy travelers who want to adventure in nature; people who want to see a different side of Patagonia; families (with kids six and older), and gourmands.  

Rio Palena Lodge | Lake District, Chile

Cradled by steep valley walls, the Rio Palena cuts its way through the Andes Mountains in Chile’s southern Lakes District. In a spectacularly remote setting on the river sits Rio Palena Lodge. And just when you feel you’ve reached “the middle of nowhere,” you take a helicopter flight to a secretive alpine lake for some stand-up paddleboarding, or land on a mountain shelf for a peak picnic.  

There are seven suites at Rio Palena Lodge, contained within the two-story timber building that feels like a home in the wilderness. Woven textiles, Chilean art, dark wood accents, and tilework give it a sense of place. Lounge in the great room with its river rock fireplace and inviting plush loveseats, or from the many outdoor terraces. Many active pursuits center on the life-giving Rio Palena, from kayaking to fishing for brown and rainbow trout. A fully stocked gear room supplies everything guests need.  

Rio Palena Lodge highlights: 

Each guest stay includes one day of heli-assisted touring, from hiking to fishing, and in winter, skiing.  Customized, guided daily excursions complete the balance of your stay.  
Enjoy a long table asado dinner beneath a canopy of trees, chorused by live music and backlit by string lights.  
Recuperate in the wood-fired hot tub and barrel sauna.  

Who will enjoy Rio Palena Lodge? An ideal setting for families and small group buyouts, Rio Palena is well suited for milestone trips. Heli-skiing is a significant draw, making winter an equally worthy time to visit.  

Futangue Lodge | Lake District, Chile

Opened in late 2018, Futangue Lodge is northern Patagonia luxury nestled into the most extraordinarily lush setting. The meadow-hugged property is situated within an 86,000-acre nature reserve in Futangue Park and seated at the foot of the Andes in Chile’s Lake District. Nearby, Puyehue National Park invites you to explore 60 miles of quiet, fern-carpeted trails that lace through a Valdivian rainforest. Kayaking, mountain biking, and fly fishing are popular activities, too.  

With just 16 rooms, Futangue Lodge is a single-story hotel with bold contemporary accents that are warmed by abundant timber interiors.  

Communal spaces are adorned with objects and textiles that honor Mapuche culture and Chilean artists. Steps away, the 10-room Casa Exploradores villa offers more secluded suites, away from the hubbub of the main hotel.  

Futangue Lodge highlights: 

Prioritize wellness at Triwe Spa. Treatments like facials, body wraps, and massages incorporate organic botanicals like native herbs, berries, and oils. (There’s also a spa pool that’s half-indoor and half-outdoor!) 

Enjoy fewer crowds than many other hotspots in Patagonia, while easily being able to combine a stay with trips to nearby Puerto Varas and Pucón. 
Dining at El Mesón del Caulle, the on-site restaurant, is a culinary adventure. Stewarded by renowned Valdivian chef, Karime Harcha, many ingredients are grown on the property, locally foraged, or sourced from a nearby artisan market.  

Who will enjoy Futangue Lodge? Travelers who want to see a different side of Patagonia with Valdivian rainforest; folks who like to go off-the-beaten-track. 

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