I hope I don't say this too often and lose credibility, but this seriously is one of the most gorgeous spots on Earth...Hotel Salto Chico is situated in one of my favorite places for natural beauty.
I visited this Explora resort in Patagonia,Chile 13 years ago this month. A girl friend and I made the stop as part of our South America journey through Argentina and Chile. This particular region is the southernmost point of the Americas, located in the Torres del Paine National Park. What an amazing time we had here.
The stunning architecture neither competes nor detracts from the awesome setting. The concept here is to bring travelers into nature and the surrounding environment. The crystal clear blue-green lake and scraggly Paine Massif mountains was the view from our room.
What makes the Explora experience unique is that it is run like a camp for grown ups. Every morning we'd wake up and check out the activities for the day on the blackboard in the common area. One day we went for an all day hike up mountains through lush forests dappled with waterfalls. A serious hike - walking sticks were definitely needed.
Another day we went for half day a hike..and yet another we went horse back riding in the pampas.
We met so many people from all over the world - socializing in the bar at cocktail hour with the drink specialty "pisco sours" was a fun way to cap the day. Everyone ate together in the intimate dining room.
The only downfall to this exquisite, upscale lodge is that you are definitely paying for the high thread count sheets....and getting there is definitely a journey. Planes, trains, and four hours on a rickety bus that made me so carsick I was clutching a paper bag. I guess that is just a small price to pay for being in such a remote and still pristine hideaway...
www.explora.com
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