Hotel Snapshot

Hotel AWA is a 25-room boutique hotel that lies on a secluded stretch of Lake Llanquihue’s shoreline in Chile’s Lake District. The hotel is as stunning as the views, and it’s rated 5 stars and priced from $275 per person per night.

Chile’s Lake District is the geographical gateway to Patagonia, bridging the cities of central Chile with the rugged expanse to the south. On a recent trip, I treated the region as my own transition zone: a gentle landscape of dense forest, sparkling lakes, and charming villages that allowed me to shift gears slowly from the glaciers and wide-open spaces of southern Patagonia, where I’d just been, to the urban crush of the capital, Santiago, where I was headed.

I was last in the area 20 years ago as a carefree young backpacker. It’s fair to say that my hotel tastes and needs have changed somewhat since then, so I found a soft landing at Hotel AWA. Eye-catching architecture and 5-star rating aside, it was the B-Corp certified hotel’s commitment to the region’s artistry that particularly drew me. Hotel AWA partners with the non-profit Fundación Artesanías de Chile to offer immersive experiences in local artisans’ studios where guests learn about traditional basketry and weaving techniques, and can even make their own souvenirs.

Design & Character

Woven textiles and baskets sourced from those local artisans are scattered throughout, lending a softness to the hotel, which at first glance, with its brutalist block of glass, metal, and concrete, resembles something of a Bond villain’s lair. The owner is an architect, and it shows. The rawness of the hotel’s striking design manages to seamlessly link the outdoors and in, with floor-to-ceiling windows welcoming in the landscape and light. Interiors clad in native alerce wood also provide a balance to the sharp-edged exterior while soft furnishings and book-lined shelves invite lingering in public areas.

The Rooms

Each of Hotel AWA’s 25 rooms overlook ocean-like Lake Llanquihue toward the perfectly symmetrical snow-capped cone of Osorno Volcano, aka "the Mount Fuji of South America." Floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of light and out-of-this-world sunset views. Beds are draped with woven blankets, pale wood covers the walls and floors, the artworks are bold, and every room has a working fireplace. Spacious bathrooms feature slate-gray walk-in showers and separate tubs, as well as twin vanities.

The Food & Drink

Grab a terrace seat for a meal with a view at the restaurant, where an ever-changing menu celebrates local produce, seafood, and meat. Expect dishes like freshly plucked scallops and Chilean lamb. Ingredients are sourced from within 100 kilometers, with much of the produce coming from the hotel’s own greenhouse and organic garden just across the road.

A wide selection of Chilean wines are available but I opted for the Tañi Ñuke, a colored, many-layered cocktail of orange and blueberry-infused Pisco, lemon, grapefruit, and native lemon verbena.

The Amenities

You can get some decent laps in at Hotel AWA’s 25-meter, seemingly gravity-defying, glass-walled pool that juts out of the building toward the lake. There’s a steam room, sauna, and treatment room, too, as well as a small gym. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and bikes are available to borrow, while the list of 40-plus excursions on offer includes hiking in national parks, rafting, fly-fishing, scenic flights by helicopter or seaplane, cooking classes, and craft experiences.

Location & Neighborhood Recs

Hotel AWA lies along the scenic road to Ensenada and is the perfect base for exploring nearby highlights like Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Petrohué Falls, and the Carretera Austral, one of the world’s great road trips. The hotel’s splendid isolation and all-inclusive package options give you great reason to stay put, but Puerto Varas is around a 30-minute drive away and home to pretty German-influenced architecture, artisan shops, and plenty of cafés, bars, and restaurants.

Fast Facts

Address: Camino a Ensenada (Ruta 225CH), km 27, Puerto Varas, Región de Los Lagos, Chile.

Neighborhood: Los Riscos

Nearest Airport: Puerto Montt (PMC)

Star Rating: 5-star

Starting Rate: $275 per person per night bed and breakfast; all-inclusive starts at $690 per person/night with shared excursions and $940 per person/night with private excursions.

Room Count: 25 plus one villa

Vibe: Sleek, serene

Best For: Soft adventurers and couples

Amenities: Spa, gym, Wi-Fi, parking, helipad, room service, laundry service

Nearby: Puerto Varas, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the Carretera Austral

Our Favorite Thing: Local artistry takes center stage here. I love a handcrafted souvenir, so I was delighted to find a woven wool bookmark by my bed at turndown.