The Tierra Chiloé, on a remote island in the south of Chile, may be the country’s coolest accommodation thanks to stunning design, gorgeous surroundings, and a mix of amenities you simply can’t find anywhere else.
Tierra Chiloé’s sustainable architecture reflects traditional local houses built on stilts over the water. With only 24 guest rooms, the property continues in the footsteps of Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia by offering exceptional experiences and personalized service to its guests.
Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa
The lobby of the lodge offers a comfortable gathering place for guests, with fireplaces, comfortable couches, and more local wool textiles. It’s also dotted with achingly cute touches like these hand-carved wooden pig figurines.
All food and drinks are included with stays, served in a comfortable dining room a half level above the living area, with panoramic views of the property and the sea beyond.
The menu often features local seafood, whether as a simple but flavorful ceviche (pictured) or in a version of the island’s famed curanto, a clam-bake-style platter of shellfish, smoked pork, and potato pancakes. Among the breakfast options are an incredible torta chilota, a traditional custard and apple pie that borders on transcendent.
But Tierra’s best amenity, the feature that truly sets it apart, is the Williche, a guests-only boat that makes day-long excursions to nearby islands.
Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa
Trips start with a sail past the mussel farms that fill the waters surrounding Chiloé, through the Hudson Canal (named not for Henry but a Chilean naval officer), and make stops at islands like Chelin (population about 400) and Quehui, where a natural harbor makes a perfect place for a lunch at anchor.
The Williche also carries sea kayaks for those interested in charting their own course through the waters of the archipelago.
Back at the lodge, a small spa with a sauna and hot tub offers a comfortable place to relax after a day of excursions. But I preferred the outdoor patio, with a big fire burning and a view of the stars above the bay, peeking out from behind low clouds as they rolled over the island.
