The Most Unusual Places to Stay in South America

If you like to do things differently, you’ll want to consider these most unusual places to stay in South America for your next adventure. Eco-glamping in Chilean Patagonia? A hotel made of salt, surrounded by unending salt flats? How about a magical treehouse straight out of a scene from Lord of the Rings? Read on to discover which are the most unusual places to stay in South America and start daydreaming about your own special trip.

Montaña Mágica Lodge, Huilo-Huilo, Chile

Like something out of a fantasy film, the Montaña Mágica Lodge brings the enchanted forest dream to life with its ethereal moss-carpeted exterior on the outside, and warm, wood-clad interiors within. Hidden away in the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve in northern Patagonia, guests must cross over a wooden bridge to reach this fantastical lodge, shaped like a volcano and with a waterfall gushing from its peak. Once inside, the higgledy-piggledy feel is accented with roaring fireplaces, tempting hot tubs and colourful fabrics, making for a real woodland sanctuary that must be seen to be believed.

Skylodge Adventure Suites, Sacred Valley, Peru

Ever wanted to sleep in the sky? You can do just that at the Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru, though be warned – this is not somewhere for the faint-hearted! These glass pods clutch the mountain slopes above Ollantaytambo, 600m up from ground level, affording seriously unrivalled views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River. You might be wondering how to get up there, and that’s precisely part of the adventure – you have to climb 170 metal steps that make up the ferrata, so you’ll certainly earn the luxury of sleeping up here!

Airstream Campers, Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

Sleep out in the middle of the Uyuni Salt Flats with nothing but mile upon mile of wilderness all around, in the comfort of a vintage Airstream. This is probably the coolest way to experience these awe-inspiring salt flats, with the immense night sky twinkling above as you tuck into a candlelit meal prepared by your private chef, who will then leave you to soak up these surroundings and sleep in your vintage camper. All the essentials are here, including a queen bed, kitchenette, toilet, minibar, even an iPod dock – so you’ll have all the necessary comforts on top of a privileged sense of solitude.

EcoCamp Domes Patagonia, Chile

There’s no need to rough it on your intrepid trip to Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Instead of struggling with flimsy canvas tents, go glamping in one of the world’s best-placed campsites – the EcoCamp Domes – and tuck up warmly in the comfort of a geodesic globe. These transparent domes shield you from the often harsh Patagonian weather, yet bestow you with views of the majestic surroundings so you can feel closer than ever to nature. They are also eco-friendly, opting for solar and hydraulic energy, and totally atmospheric with a low-emission wood-burning stove, locally made throws and wood-clad interiors – rustic luxury at its best.

Entre Cielos, Mendoza, Argentina

If you love wine, Mendoza in Argentina should be on the top of your wanderlust list; but if you love wine, nature and contemporary design, Entre Cielos is a boutique hotel that you should visit immediately. While the entire hotel is wonderfully cutting-edge and luxurious, it’s the Suite Loft that is the most outstanding of all, hovering above the vines on stilts to immerse you in the verdant landscape. A skylight in the bedroom means you can stargaze at night, while the al fresco bathtub is an added luxury that is best enjoyed while sipping a glass of the estate’s finest wine – bliss.

Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Brazil

The Amazon Rainforest is somewhere that every nature enthusiast should visit at least once in their lifetime, and the Cristalino Jungle Lodge in Brazil makes for an unforgettable place to stay. This luxury hideaway lies on the fringes of the Cristalino State Park, a whopping 165,000-acre nature reserve where bird-watching opportunities come thick and fast. The lodge itself boasts two observation towers soaring 165ft into the sky for unparalleled views of the forest, a network of hiking trails, though also a charming deck floating on the Cristalino River, irresistible restaurant and luxury bungalows that promise sumptuous living while in the middle of the southern Amazon – absolutely incredible.

Palacio de Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia

It may seem impossible, but this hotel in Bolivia is made entirely of salt. That’s right, there are salt sculptures; walls, ceilings and floors made of salt; even the beds are too! It’s extremely impressive, and seems very much in touch with its surroundings, as the Uyuni Salt Flats are right on its doorstep. That’s not all though: there’s then a sumptuous spa with a steam room, sauna and pool (saltwater, naturally), with body treatments that incorporate the white stuff wherever possible.

Aria Amazon, Peru

Another Amazonian gem is the Aria Amazon cruise vessel, sailing from the Peruvian town of Iquitos deep into the rainforest, in total luxury. Aqua Expeditions is known for its upscale design, and the Aria boat is a prime example of this: huge cinematic windows from every onboard suite, a spa, al fresco Jacuzzi, fine dining, and of course exhilarating adventures into the wilderness. Journeying into the Amazon is one of the most life-changing travel experiences you can have, and to do it in total luxury, aboard the Aria Amazon, will make even your most well-travelled friends go green with envy.

Tierra Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Chile

Simply stunning to look at, Tierra Patagonia Adventure Spa Hotel is a contemporary bolthole studded in a prime position in Torres del Paine, Chile. You can see how the architects have carefully designed the building to merge beautifully with its pristine environment, using locally sourced materials, and ensuring that the scenery takes centre stage throughout using huge glass windows – even in the charming guestrooms. With such a breathtaking view from the warmth of this stylish hotel, and delicious cuisine included too, you might think it best to stay cosied up inside; but Tierra Patagonia offers a wide range of outdoor activities that are available at no additional cost, getting you to the most astonishing corners of Torres del Paine to make your experience all the more enriching.

 

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