Awasi, San Pedro de Atacama

Location

Located at the edge of town, close enough to enjoy the laid back buzz of San Pedro’s urbanity yet far enough away to be embrace Atacama’s sweeping desert landscapes, this luxury lodge by Relais & Châteaux offers the best of both town and country. Surrounded by historic walls, the site where the hotel stands has long housed local shepherds and herders from the unforgiving climate of the driest non-polar desert on earth. It's the perfect setting for a series of exclusive, private excursions detailed below.

Accommodation

Eight thatched cottages give this lodge a distinctly African aesthetic, not out of place in the arid Atacama. Made of stone, adobe and wood, each one is rustic yet supremely stylish offering 60 square metres of indulgent space where terracotta walls and colourful soft furnishings complement comfortable lounge chairs, private open-air patios, large tiled bathrooms and outdoor showers. The Round Room and Superior Round Suite have the additional luxury of a private solarium.

Dining

As with many of Chile’s very best hotels, food plays an important part in life at Awasi. The restaurant – which is exclusive to guests – is led by talented Relais & Châteaux chef, Juan Pablo Mardones – whose sophisticated menu fuses the finest flavours from the Altiplano and beyond while utilising exciting native ingredients including purple potatoes, patasca and quinoa to name just a few. Lunch and dinner menus are matched by an impressive wine list showcasing an array of local and international varieties.

Facilities

Restful lounges and more of those shady thatched roofs provide welcome respite from the heat of the desert sun. There’s a delightful pool to fill the hours between excursions while at night, the hotel lights dim to allow the best views of Atacama’s famous starry skies. However, its standout attraction is its activities. Where competitors offer group tours, Awasi's daytrips feature private guides meaning your horseback ride, 4WD safari or desert trek can be tailor-made to you. Stop off at everything from steaming fumaroles and dramatic canyons to flamingo-lined lakes and wild herds of vicuna as you see fit.