Laura Pattara | 29 May 2024
Torres del Paine is the undisputed crown jewel in Chile's Patagonia and is considered one of South America's most remarkable national parks. The reserve boasts a stunning blend of natural wonders, including sky-reaching granite peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and diverse wildlife, such as the Andean puma. With so many exceptional experiences, excursions, and activities to choose from within the park, deciding where to stay while exploring this breathtaking wilderness is crucial to planning your trip. Highlights abound, and distances are considerable.
In this guide, we'll highlight our favourite accommodation options in Torres del Paine, all chosen after careful consideration based on crew and client experiences. Plus, we'll dish out some practical advice on what to consider when making that all-important choice, ensuring your stay is as memorable as the park itself.
In this article, we'll cover
We'll also give you a comprehensive guide of what to consider when choosing accommodation in Torres del Paine.
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Our list of favourite accommodation options in Torres ranges from uber-indulgent eco-lodges for the ultimate Patagonia splurge to gorgeous eco-camps that offer equally immersive experiences at a more affordable cost. There’s truly something here to suit all needs, desires, and budgets.
Torres del Paine is the poster child for Patagonia’s extraordinary wilderness
Location: On the shores of Lake Sarmiento
Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Sarmiento, Tierra Patagonia is one of Torres’ most sought-after boutique resorts. This eco-friendly luxury lodge was designed to blend with its natural surroundings seamlessly and offers arguably the most stunning panoramic views of the Paine Massif. After immersing yourself in the park's beauty all day, you can retreat to this sanctuary of relaxation, gourmet dining, and world-class spa indulgences. Yes…that's about as tough as it sounds!
Exciting news for the 2023-24 Patagonia travel season! Tierra Patagonia has invested in a soft refurb this winter and has expanded its staff quarters to employ more guides and drivers and offer an even more comprehensive array of excursions. They're also expecting delivery of a fleet of new Mercedes Benz and Toyota 4WDs for those extra activities and a small armada of electric bicycles for guests to use.
Tierra Patagonia has won many prestigious awards over the years. It is revered by both travellers and industry experts thanks to the outstanding experiences it offers and its cultural and environmental initiatives.
See Viva’s 4-day Tierra Patagonia Boutique Hotel Stay
Location: at the base of Torres del Paine Massif
For those yearning to be closer to the iconic Torres del Paine peaks, Hotel Las Torres is an excellent choice. Stay in one of the lodge’s cosy cabins, huddled right into Patagonia's wildest charm, and wake up to the sun rising over the park's famous peaks. You're set for truly epic hikes with the mountains practically in your backyard.
This rustic yet comfortable lodge offers a variety of excursions, including horseback riding and guided hikes to the base of the towers. The in-house restaurant serves traditional hearty Patagonian specialities, and the hotel generally focuses on local Patagonia culture and traditions. We think Las Torres is ideal for active travellers on a tighter budget looking to fill their days with excursions and activities.
Hotel Las Torres, Patagonia
Discover all the experiences you could be enjoying on Viva’s 4-day Las Torres Hotel Stay
Location: on the shores of Lake Pehoé, inside Torres del Paine National Park
Explora Patagonia is more than a mere hotel; it is a haven for adventure seekers, explorers, and nature enthusiasts. Its remote location, right on the shores of Lake Pehoé and in the heart of the Torres del Paine National Park, offers direct access to the park's iconic hiking trails, glaciers, and turquoise lakes. The lodge’s jaw-dropping views encompass Pehoé, the Grey Glacier and the Paine Massif. Considered the ‘original’ luxury hotel in Torres and the pioneer of upscale experiences, Explora remains a top accommodation choice in the region, even 30 years after it first opened its doors.
Explora employs top-notch guides who know the park like the back of their hand, leading you on epic hikes, horseback rides, and boat trips. After you've worked up an appetite, head to the restaurant, which serves delicious, locally inspired dishes – with no shortage of Chilean wine to complement your meal. This is the kind of place where you can hike and soak up eye-popping views all day and return to a steaming outdoor jacuzzi offering those same astonishing views.
We love the remote and isolated location of this lodge and the passion of the experienced crew – we find it perfect for those who love adventure and relaxation in equal measure.
Explora Patagonia – the only lodge in the area that breeds horses for its own horseback riding adventures
Learn more about the gems on offer in our 4-day Explora Patagonia Stay
Location: in the heart of Torres del Paine
Ecocamp is our favourite glamping accommodation option in Torres del Paine, the unique geodesic domes making for an unforgettable experience. The sustainable camp (the first dome hotel of its kind in the world) was designed as an ode to the ancient nomadic tribes of Patagonia and allows guests to feel immersed in the surrounding wilderness while enjoying abundant comforts.
With a communal dome, an overall cosy feel and planned itineraries, Ecocamp creates a cohesive group of guests who enjoy sharing guided treks and gourmet meals over several days. Rather than a simple 'accommodation option in Torres del Paine', Ecocamp offers bonafide, all-inclusive, multi-day adventures. Choose from single and double-floor domes (all with heating) and private or shared bathrooms.
The double suite dome at Ecocamp – a gorgeous place to retreat to at the end of a day’s adventures and a sweet way to fall asleep ‘under the stars’ in Torres del Paine
See Viva’s 4-day, action-packed Ecocamp Patagonia Wildlife Safari Experience.
Location: just outside the boundaries of Torres del Paine National Park
Estancia Cerro Guido offers a taste of Patagonian ranch life combined with a comfortable stay. Explore the surrounding grasslands on horseback or visit the on-site museum to learn about the region's past. Your days here can be filled with horseback rides across vast grasslands and guided explorations led by locals who share their deep knowledge of Patagonia's history and nature. You can count on delectable and hearty Patagonian cuisine to fuel your daily adventures.
If you're yearning for an authentic Patagonian experience in a serene and historic setting reminiscent of a traditional local estancia (coupled with a generous dose of warm hospitality), Estancia Cerro Guido will be the ideal place to rest your head.
Insider tip: Choosing accommodation just outside the park's boundaries can save you funds as there are more budget-friendly options. It also lets you enjoy scenic drives as you reach the park's various highlights. If you don't need to be in the heart of Torres and don't want to hike extensively, staying outside the park is a fantastic way to have the best of both worlds.
Estancia Cerro Guido offers access to Torres del Paines wilderness and a cultural experience as well
Location: north of Lake Sarmiento
Awasi Patagonia takes personalised luxury to a whole other level. The exquisite lodge comprises 14 secluded carbon-neutral villas, each with its own private guide and 4WD vehicle, so you can quite literally tailor every day’s experience to suit your tastes and wishes.
Part of the international Relais & Chateaux chain of luxury lodges, Awasi sets itself apart with its array of amenities, excursions, top-notch bespoke service, gourmet dining, perfect cocktails, and a myriad little extra. The staff will pack delectable picnics for your early morning excursions, have a fire and hot tub ready when you return from a long hiking day and seem to know what you need or want before you do. The setting is unreal, and the views from the main lodge and the rooms are out of this world.
If you’re looking for that once-in-a-lifetime experience in Patagonia or want to indulge in a picture-perfect honeymoon stay, then Awasi is where you’ll want to stay.
Awasi’s villas are designed to pay homage to Patagonia’s ranching past. Every cabin is set apart and tailor-made to appreciate the surrounding wilderness.
Insider tip: Awasi really is a drop-dead-stunning place to stay, set within 6,000 hectares of private reserve. One of its most enticing aspects is that it is remote and far removed from the tourist hubs of Torres del Paine National Park (and their peak-season crowds). Driving over bumpy roads to the park's gates takes about an hour. That might not suit everybody. We recommend staying somewhere closer to the park for the days you wish to enjoy activities and excursions there, and choosing to stay at Awasi before or after to enjoy the wilderness in its surroundings – which are just as enchanting. And remember that this unique lodge is extremely popular so ensure you book your stay well in advance!
Location: near Grey Glacier
Situated near the spectacular Grey Glacier, one of the major highlights of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, Hotel Lago Grey is a beautiful accommodation option for glacier enthusiasts.
The 3-star lodge offers spectacular views of the ice formations and Lago Grey, well-appointed rooms, fabulous local cuisine, a great bar with floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy stellar views, and many glacier-based and mountain hiking excursions. The warm hospitality and dedicated service make it a beloved accommodation choice among return visitors to Torres.
Views of Lago Grey from the hotel’s dining room
We understand that many first-time visitors to Torres del Paine might be won over by a particular accommodation option by a single photo. We get that – they are all drop-dead gorgeous! Yet truth be told, several factors must be considered before finalising your accommodation choice.
Here are the most pivotal things to consider before you book:
The location of your Torres del Paine hotel will impact what you can see and experience, given the park is in a remote region of Patagonia and covers an area of approximately 2,400 square kilometres (930 square miles). Distances between singular highlights are considerable, the roads winding, and driving times always longer than you might imagine – mainly because the views will entice you to make various stops along the way.
Personal preferences are defining factors here. Do you prefer to stay closer to the park's iconic landmarks and fill your days with excursions, or are you looking for a quieter, more remote experience? The park offers options for both.
When choosing the right accommodation in Torres del Paine, you'll need to consider how long you plan to stay in the park. Some accommodations have a minimum stay requirement – which may strike them off your list if you’re short on time.
If you have ample time and are an avid hiker, then one whole week in Torres is ideal. For most visitors, however, we recommend a minimum stay of 3 days – but find 4-5 to be perfect. A 4–5-day stay provides a well-rounded and immersive experience of the park’s highlights while giving you time to indulge in your chosen accommodation's amenities.
Private transfers to remote hotels in Torres del Paine can be expensive, although most accommodation options offer pick-ups and drop-offs to the nearest city/airport. However, make sure to check for restrictions and/or conditions. For example, a hotel might request a minimum 3-night stay to have transfers included for free, and others might simply add a surcharge to your stay.
From experience, we can tell you that having private, pre-arranged transfers from the hotel is an absolute godsend in Torres, especially on a short 3-day stay.
All our favourite accommodation options in Torres del Paine offer a wide range of guided tours and activities included in their packages, from hikes with experienced guides to horseback riding, kayaking, and boat trips to glaciers. They all have in common that their focus is on curated, high-quality experiences, yet the experiences themselves can vary quite a bit. If you are looking for a particular excursion – like horseback riding – you'll need to search for it in the offered activities.
Some accommodations might offer specialised excursions at an extra cost, and others have many hiking trails that start from the edge of their property. This would be particularly great if you wish to hike extensively, as it'll save you both time and energy.
Torres del Paine in winter – a veritable snowy wonderland
High season in Patagonia runs from October to April, with the most popular months being December to February – right at the heart of the southern hemisphere summer. Every hotel and resort in Torres del Paine is open in these months, and all excursions are on offer.
However, that is not the case if you wish to visit Torres del Paine in winter. A healthy snowfall outside peak season utterly transforms this enchanted landscape. The experiences on offer are downright magical, although there are far fewer of them for you to enjoy.
Not all accommodation options operate in winter, and, funny as it might sound, their opening schedule can be fluid year by year.
Typically, we recommend Explora Patagonia, Hotel Lago Grey, and Ecocamp – their winter rates are well-priced, and the experiences are fantastic. However, keep in mind that it’s not guaranteed these hotels will stay open next winter – feel free to contact us for the latest info regarding winter openings in Torres.
If you're unsure of all the activities and excursions in Torres del Paine, chat with one of our Destination Specialists. They know the right questions to ask to ascertain what kind of 'Torres experience' you might enjoy best, and in which accommodation you are more likely to find it. See all our Torres del Paine tours and contact us to know more!
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