Fantastic traverse of Chile

Chile | Mar 6 - Mar 20, 2024

The staff of this hotel were very kind. The room size was very good with a sea view. And the location was walking distance to the main plaza. Unfortunately, during our brief stay - 3 nights, there was a mold issue in the bath area with a strong smell as the heater warmed up to dry our clothing. The other 2 rooms in our traveling group did not have this issue.

The hotel staff, all areas, were very good. Our daily interactions were with the front desk, bar servers and dining room servers. Everyone tolerated our wretched Spanish attempts despite their excellent abilities in English. Amazing views from our room with a view - please choose this option. We stayed in both the non-view room - smaller and only 1 chair, and the view option room - 2 chairs and a table, more spacious … and the view! Utilized the gym and the area for using a mat was quite small with an impossibly large Bosu ball. Wonderful dry sauna and the views from the pool were unending (bubbler loungers were also good!). Food in both the dining room and bar area were excellent. I would come back here. I also liked their natural finishes design esthetic. There were enough public spaces and they were also large enough to feel at peace.

Very nice views of the lake and centrally located to downtown. Wood interior large corner suite was very comfortable and clean. A short walk from downtown shops and restaurants. The bar and the restaurant in the hotel, were good with a friendly staff. We did not get the chance to use the gym or pool located across the street.

Located centrally in Providencia, only 1.5 blocks away from the metro. The front desk staff and housekeeping were very kind. Buffet breakfast was good. The room was exceptionally small and dated, though it did have a refrigerator, a safe, and an in-wall air conditioner.

We had a wonderful kayak outing with Claudia and her team. The water was incredibly calm and we were repeatedly told this was the exception. There were dolphins in the distance, apparently attracted by the motor of the dinghy. The tea and snack afterward, in the cozy dining room, were very nice after being on the water. Enjoyed hearing a bit about the settlers of the region. I would recommend doing this experience.

It is a bit of a drive but the van is comfortable and the ferry crossing a nice break in the driving. The penguin reserve was very good and interesting. I recommend this tour.

Because of a late evening arrival, where our guide was patiently waiting at the hotel to brief us, we opted to forego a volcano summit for more sleep! Instead, we left later in the morning, 08:00, and hiked to the saddle between the two volcanos of La Picada and Ornos. I highly recommend this hike and the guide company. And, they make a delish sandwich. There was a big variety in the terrain we crossed and just beautiful views though not in the distance due to mist. I especially liked the new experience of hiking/gliding down some volcanic dirt/sand. We were also able to see Todos los Santos lake, as the weather cleared for a bit.

We didn’t kayak in the lake, though we briefly visited it. Instead, we kayaked through a canal like estuary with lovely weeping willows and bird wildlife.

We had an excellent tour by … urghh, will comeback and include her name, included walking the regular vineyard and sampling a variety of grapes off the vine. Their separate sample grape garden, with a large variety of grapes in a relatively small area, was also a nice tasting comparison. And, after viewing the cask rooms and the mini museum, the tasting was well conducted- enjoyable. Highly recommend.