We’ve always wanted to go to Chile, so we blocked some time off in November to fly down and explore the country. November is spring in Chile and that was welcome, coming from the November gloom of Philadelphia. We really only explored the bottom half of Chile, but that was a 2000 mile chunk of this long (REALLY LONG) skinny country sandwiched between Argentina and the Pacific Ocean. We fell completely in love with one hotel in particular, really a country inn style accommodation on a point in Lake Villarrica, called Hotel Antumalal, near the town of Pucon, which is about 500 miles south of Santiago. We chose to fly because it was a 14 hour drive! Here is a quote from the hotel’s website describing the property:
“On a wooded point overlooking the lake, between gardens, terraces and waterfalls sits the Hotel Antumalal. Meaning “Corral of the Sun” in the Mapundungun language, Antumalal’s vibrant and modern architecture fits harmoniously with its setting. The main rooms extend above a cliff with an entire wall of glass overlooking the lake. Wood-paneled walls, soft white carpets and an immense fireplace create an elegant yet simple ambiance. In a modern twist on 1950s style, the furniture uniquely blends native wood, iron, and rope. Recent additions, such as the pool and spa use wood, rock and cement to remain true to the original architecture and to integrate with the surroundings. Each bedroom is furnished with a wall-sized window so that the calming landscape is perfectly framed.
Construction began in 1945 on what once was a graceless piece of rocky outcrop. Influenced by the Bauhaus style the design was conceived by the owners themselves along with the Chilean architect Jorge Elton. Within five years they had successfully transformed the space into the magnificent building and stunning gardens that we enjoy today. The hotel represents a tribute to the Pucón area: nature came first and the complimentary linear design was designed to frame and honor it. The Antumalal remains an architectural jewel.”
The dining was spectacular in every way, with views over the lake and mountains, and featuring vegetables from their garden.
It was so lovely that we plan to return…if only to Antumalal. Yes, it was that good. Good enough for Queen Elizabeth, who visited when it first opened in the 1950s.
(Hoping to put some more pictures up from the Chile trip soon, Patagonia, etc…)
