The Best Hotels to Book in Chile for Views

Set a few miles from the Patagonian outpost of Puerto Natales, this former warehouse and cold-storage plant has been skillfully transformed into a characterful, upscale hotel. The remarkable historic building directly overlooks a long stretch of the Señoret Channel, part of the sparsely scenic Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). Spacious rooms all have huge windows to make the most of the views, while the cavernous industrial interior – lined with century-old machinery and artefacts – will make you feel like you’re spending a night at the museum.

With mirador (lookout) in the name, it’s a safe bet that you can expect some pretty fine snapshots from this hotel in Chile. It lies in the lush and sparsely populated Aysén region, known for spectacular mountain-meet-fjord landscapes. This place has front-row seats, overlooking the mighty General Carrera Lake and the dramatic snow-capped sierra (mountain range). Huge windows in the cabins soak up panoramas to the fullest. Grab a pisco sour at sunset for the full experience.

Standing out among its surroundings, the big red facade of this Chile hotel directly overlooks the Puerto Natales waterfront. You’ll find scenic fjord views in most of the guest rooms, together with cozy comforts such as quality bedding and thick bathrobes. Wraparound windows in the restaurant mean dinner with views, too. Later, head upstairs for elevated drinks while night falls over the Patagonian scenery.

Most agree the Atacama Desert is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world, and this self-sufficient hotel in Chile is right in the heart of it. A valley setting means the desert mountains tower dramatically all around you. You can take in the glorious sight from the terrace of most guest rooms, while the outside dining area at the restaurant gives you a 360-degree experience. Also, the spa offers views of the Catarpe Valley, which you can enjoy from the comfort of a soothing mineral bath.

Another Patagonian highlight is the secluded Puyuhuapi Lodge, fringed by a fjord in the Aysén region, close to the glacial mountains and lichen-clan evergreen forests of Queulat National Park. Looking out over Dorita Bay and watched over by snowy Andean peaks, the lodge has a jetty jutting out into the water – the perfect jumping-off point for kayaking and boat excursions to outlying islands and craggy peninsulas. Immerse yourself in the trio of thermal pools at the Puyuhuapi hot springs, which look out onto the fjord and are framed by forested land, before treating yourself to a hot-stone massage.

Hotel Cabaña del Lago sits on the shores of the immense Lake Llanquihue in the Germanic southern Lake District city of Puerto Varas. Tuck into some expertly grilled meat at the lakefront restaurant, Mirador del Lago, a supreme spot for taking in the cone-shaped, snow-smattered Osorno Volcano on the opposite side of the lake. Farther up on the sixth floor is Bar Tronador, another hotspot for surveying the surroundings of Puerto Varas over a glass of cabernet sauvignon.

Set in the beating heart of Santiago, Hotel Magnolia occupies an exquisite, historic building dating back to 1929. Just across from the lush Japanese Garden on a tree-lined street, this Chile hotel is a beacon of considered design and calmness. The beautiful rooms are modern and minimalist, but the best seat in the house is on the rooftop terrace, a perfect place to take in the happenings of the capital of Chile while tasting salmon tartare and sipping on a pisco sour.

Hotel Boutique 17 overlooks the epic bay of Valparaíso, a colorful, coastal city that inspired poet Pablo Neruda and today shows off its artsy side via vibrant street art. Accordingly, bright bursts of orange and green feature in the otherwise neutral-toned, light-filled rooms. The on-site restaurant sits on an airy terrace, guaranteeing expansive views over the comings and goings of the bustling port. Enjoy fresh, grilled octopus or chunky tuna steak with a zesty Aperol spritz or a cold glass of white wine after exploring the rainbow-colored buildings dotting the city.

Hotel Alaia sits adjacent to the craggy cliffs and pounded sands of Punta de Lobos, next to the popular El Diamante surf break and not far from the resort city of Pichilemu. Each luxe lodge-style room has a private deck overlooking the ocean, and with only 12 rooms, you won’t have to share the views with many others. For the less surf-inclined, there’s a heated wooden hot tub for soaking up yet more panoramas, along with sunset yoga classes, trips to the salt flats at Cáhuil lagoon and even an on-site skatepark.

The architecturally arresting Hotel Apacheta sits like a sculpture on the rocky shores of Arica, a picturesque port city in the far north of the country. With natural woods and touches of neutral-tinged textiles throughout, this luxurious low-lying place was designed to blend in with the landscape. Every room looks out onto the ocean, with direct access to the water for bathers and surfers.

The immaculate Hotel Awa sits at the threshold of the Chilean Lake District in Puerto Varas. Built with the outdoors in mind, each luxurious room has sweeping snapshots of the millpond-calm waters of Lake Llanquihue and the snowy peak of Osorno Volcano. Kayak on the Reloncaví Estuary nearby, or visit the hotel vegetable garden to pick out ingredients before whipping up something delicious in a cooking class.

The understated yet stylish Fauna Hotel Restaurant calls the Cerro Alegre neighborhood in Valparaíso home. Set in a building dating back to 1870, the elegant rooms feature modern wood paneling and large windows overlooking the colorful rooftops and the sparkling bay below. Time for some shut-eye? Visit the on-site massage sanctuary for a reinvigorating rub during your stay.