Tierra Patagonia

Rooms

The 40 spacious, light-filled rooms are spread over 2 floors. They channel minimalist Scandi-cool, with clean lines, lots of blonde wood, handcrafted furniture, giant sheepskin rugs and cosy woollen throws. And we didn’t need the radiator in our first-floor room as the thermal glass kept things toasty inside no matter how wild the weather was.

The walls are free of art, and there’s no TV or internet, but who needs them? The marshmallow-soft, kingsize beds - piled high with pillows and cushions - face the large window, framing the ever-changing view of the lake, mountains and endless sky.

There are 4 room categories. All are similarly decorated and the Standard and Superior Rooms are the same size, but the Standard Rooms have their tubs in the bedroom. Then there are 3 enormous duplex Suites with an upstairs sitting area, but as the communal areas are so lovely we don't think it's worth upgrading. Families can book Family Rooms, essentially 2 inter-connecting Superior Rooms which can be set up in various configurations (e.g. 2 doubles and a bunk bed, 1 double and 3 singles etc).

In the 3 larger room categories you can enjoy the view from the large tub as their bathrooms have small windows onto the bedroom (though you can close the wooden Venetian blind for privacy). All rooms have a powerful rain shower ensconced behind a beautiful frosted glass door etched with the image of a tree, plus pebble door handles and lots of lovely L’Occitane lotions and potions.

Features include:

• WiFi

Eating

The dining area is part of the main open-plan space, where acres of glass give a sense of space and light and put the focus firmly on the views. If you've booked a package, all meals and most drinks are included; if you've booked on a B&B basis, you just get breakfast but can opt in for the set lunch and dinner menus for an extra cost. Served from 7.30-10am, breakfast is a feast of fresh juices (try the chirimoya or custard apple - delicious), fruit, pastries, freshly baked bread, homemade conserves, cold cuts, and eggs cooked to order.

Lunch, unless you're out on an excursion, is from 1-3pm; a 3-course affair with meat, fish and vegetarian options. If that’s too heavy, there’s some flexibility and you can opt for an egg-white omelette or a healthy salad instead. You’ll be sent off with a substantial picnic for all-day excursions, including sandwiches, homemade cake and dried fruit.

In the evenings, guests gather around the bar for pre-dinner cocktails (we can highly recommend the Calafate pisco sours!) or Chilean wine (a selection is included in the packages). You can sit on a long, leather sofa by funky cowskin rugs in front of the circular open fire.

At dinner, served from 8pm, the emphasis is on locally sourced ingredients and regional specialities. Whilst it's not gourmet, we loved the delicious king crab salad and succulent beef from a neighbouring ranch, washed down with a glass of Carmenere. And don’t miss out on a traditional asado (BBQ); it will be the best lamb you ever taste.

Features include:

• Children's meals

Activities

Tierra’s 30+ excursions explore the Torres del Paine National Park as well as the ranches and pampas around the hotel. If you've booked an all-inclusive package, 1 full-day or 2 half-day excursions per day are included; if you're staying on a B&B basis activities cost extra. Guides meet daily with guests to help select the best adventures given individual interests and fitness. Excursions include:

• The arduous but unmissable full-day hike to the base of the Torres, to see the iconic towers at close range
  
• More gentle picturesque excursions inside the park, including to the Mirador Cuernos (the horns) and Laguna Azul
  
• Excellent bird watching; guides will help you spot endemic birds, including condors and caracaras
  
• Horse riding with gauchos from nearby Estancia Cerro Guido, a working sheep ranch, followed by a traditional Patagonian asado
  
• An exhilarating full-day hike in the beautiful Sierra Baguales mountain range - apart from the odd gaucho, you won’t see another soul all day
  
• Exploring the land around the hotel, on foot or mountain bike: walk the stunning Condoreras trail, admire rock art on the Hunter’s Trail (look out for condors and the remains of a puma’s dinner) or simply stroll along the shores of Lake Sarmiento
  
• Not included in the packages, but highly recommended for an additional cost is a scenic boat trip across Lago Grey, sailing past unbelievably blue icebergs to the impressive glacier
  
• Also on offer are 6-day all-inclusive photography and puma tracking packages which are run by professional wildlife photographers. These need to be arranged in advance and are for specific dates - see rates
  
• Afterwards, ease tired muscles in the spa with a Patagonian hot-stone massage, sit in the outdoor Jacuzzi (weather dependent) to admire the view, or soak in the private tub-for-2 in your own room

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Wildlife

Kids

Only children aged 10 and over are allowed, and the wild landscape and excursions are definitely best suited to older kids and teens, as they can take part in the adventure activities.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Superior Rooms and Suites can fit 1 extra bed, and there are also 5 Family Rooms (made up of 2 inter-connecting Superior Rooms, each with their own bathroom), which come with double or twin beds. All rooms have bathtubs.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour
• Hospital: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Shop: 1 hour 15 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Tierra Patagonia sits on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park, in southern Patagonia, Chile. It's on the shores of Lake Sarmiento.

By Air:
There are daily flights between Santiago and Punta Arenas, which is approximately a 4.5-hour drive from the hotel. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The hotel offers free transfers from Punta Arenas airport at 10am and 4.30pm.

By Car:
Since all transport for excursions once you're here is provided by Tierra Patagonia, it’s an unnecessary expense to hire a care, but as an alternative to flying to Punta Arenas you could drive there from Argentine Patagonia. Fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate (4 hours; several flights daily), see the Perito Moreno glacier, then hire a car to drive over the border into Chile. Arrange car hire 24 hours' in advance and warn them you'll be taking the car into Chile.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com

More on getting to Chile and getting around