6 Patagonian Lodges Worth Staying At

Not every beautiful hotel makes it into a Pudu Puda Travel itinerary. Xin has been on a mission to update our list of selected stays based on what truly represents Patagonia. Luxury in Patagonia may look very different from other bucket list destinations in Europe, Africa and North America. Here we focus on epic locations with a sense of place, intimate lodging, and experiences which stay with you long after you leave. From geodesic domes which have unmatched resilience against the harsh conditions of the region, to private reserves with only a handful of standalone villas, these six lodges which have made our list are places we would personally stay time and time again.

EOLO Patagonia's Spirit

Named after Aeolus (Eolo), the keeper of winds in Greek mythology, the name truly embodies the protagonist of the Patagonian steppes. The wind is constant here, due to the hilltop location of the lodge in the Anita Valley, which lies between Lago Argentina and the national park. EOLO Patagonia's Spirit is an intimate 17-room lodge. With its almost floor to ceiling windows all along the property, you are guaranteed views everywhere you turn and most definitely from any of the rooms. Being a Relais & Chateaux property, the food is of the best quality and I was impressed by how diverse the cuisine was. I know our clients would thoroughly enjoy mealtimes here. This property wow-ed me in terms of how detail-oriented the service and small touches around the hotel were, that it was difficult to find fault.

My favourite excursion here: Sunset 4x4 safari to the top of Cerro Frias

Recommended length of stay: 3 nights

Nearest airport: El Calafate, Argentina (30 minutes)

Minimum age allowed: 12 years old

Explora Torres del Paine

Explora Torres del Paine is the OG of luxury Patagonian lodges in Chile. It was also the first hotel I stayed at on my first trip to Chile more than a decade ago. The first thing I love about this lodge is its location right in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park, which means all our explorations are accessible within an hour's drive. It also has its own boat, so guests can cross Lago Pehoe in comfort to access the hikes to Grey Glacier and the French Valley without having to take the public catamaran. And the second is the view. Guests staying in the Cordillera Paine rooms or Exploradores suites can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Paine Massif. I still remember easing my jet lag on a full moon night, gazing out the window at mountains washed in silver light. It’s a moment that has stayed with me, one I carry fondly to this day.

My favourite excursion here: Hiking to the French Valley

Recommended length of stay: 3 to 4 nights

Nearest airport: Puerto Natales, Chile (2 hours)

Baguales Glamping

What seems like a world away from our Chilean base of Puerto Natales (but in fact only a two hour drive) is an awe-inspiring mountain range carved out of basalt known as Sierra Baguales. Baguales Glamping has four geodesic domes located in one of the valleys of Estancia La Cumbre, a family-owned ranch which shares its fences with Estancia Sierra Baguales, owned by another branch of the same extended family. This immense area is the family's summer pastures in the highlands for their sheep and cows. Sierra Baguales can be explored on horseback or on foot with a private guide, who will be happy to customise each day's adventure based on your interests. There are hikes to visit hidden lakes, see fossils of sharks and shells, as well as petrified trees.

My favourite excursion here: Riding across the immense pampa surrounded by ancient mountains

Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 nights

Nearest airport: Puerto Natales, Chile (2 hours)

Explora Parque Patagonia

Patagonia National Park (Parque Nacional Patagonia) is one of Chile's most important rewilding projects, located in northern Patagonia's Aysen region. Tompkins Conservation acquired the former Estancia Chacabuco, previously one of the largest ranches in the country, and donated it to the state. The aggregation of this estancia, with the former Tamango and Jeinimeni Reserves, created what is now the Patagonia National Park since 2018. This place is not the easiest to get to, requiring a 6 hour drive from Balmaceda airport, but the journey was worthwhile. Explora Parque Patagonia is the only lodge option in the park, and a place steeped in history and Douglas Tompkins' vision for conservation. It has 13 rooms, and we recommend booking the suite for extra comfort, especially because we recommend a longer length of stay of at least 4 nights at this property. The food here is also the best amongst the Explora lodges in our opinion!

My favourite excursion here: Taking a boat down Rio Cochrane

Recommended length of stay: 4 nights

Nearest airport: Balmaceda, Chile (6 hours). It is also possible to fly in on a private charter to Cochrane (45 minutes).

Pristine Luxury Camps

Pristine Luxury Camps is a collection of dome camps across three iconic destinations in Argentina - Iguazu Falls, the northwestern desert near Salta and on the shores of Lago Argentino in Patagonia. There are currently only 6 domes (with a 2-bedroom product coming online by end 2026), which means you get the team's utmost attention when you stay here. Each dome has views of the Perito Moreno glacier and its own hot tub!

My favourite excursion here: Hike to Puesto Amarillo for views of Lago Argentino and the Perito Moreno glacier

Recommended length of stay: 3 nights

Nearest airport: El Calafate, Argentina (1.5 hours)

Awasi Patagonia

The main reason travellers make the trek all the way to Puerto Natales in the far south of Chile is to visit Torres del Paine National Park for the views of its three iconic granite towers. On a clear day, guests of Awasi have the privilege of being accompanied by this spectacular view for half of the journey between Puerto Natales and the lodge, and this continues into every building on property! The view invited me to sit and stare, watching the clouds go by and the light change during the late afternoon, before enjoying my private hot tub on the deck. What makes Awasi stand out is the privacy you won't find at the other Patagonian lodges - standalone villas each with its private drive-guide, and access to the property availed only to those staying here. After spending two nights here, I am convinced that Awasi Patagonia best complements a stay inside the park (perhaps Explora Torres del Paine), away from the crowds and as a launchpad to visit the Patagonian steppes and the Sierra Baguales mountain range near the Argentinian border.

My favourite excursion here: Hiking the Fossils Circuit in Sierra Baguales

Recommended length of stay: 3 nights

Nearest airport: Puerto Natales, Chile (2 hours)

Minimum age allowed: 14 years old