Awasi Patagonia, Chile - An Honest Review
Sometimes you stay somewhere so fabulous that no review could possibly do your experience justice. This blog is my way of thanking the staff for going the extra mile and making our time at Awasi Patagonia the best hotel stay out of all of our travels so far.
My initial planning for a trip to Patagonia left me feeling defeated. As a self-proclaimed “high-maintenance outdoorsy person”, I wanted to indulge in the rugged Patagonian trails without having to camp or stay in hostels - to enjoy nature to the fullest, but end my day with a hot private shower and cozy king sized bed. While there are a handful of good hotels to choose from, I kept getting stuck on the complicated logistics and car rental conundrum characteristic of extremely remote destinations. I didn’t want to rely on public transportation because that would force us to comply with specific scheduling and be subject to visiting the park in a more limited way. However, renting a car and getting a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service, and no ability to speak Spanish (thanks to my 8 years of French classes), was not a risk I was willing to take.
For years, Patagonia took a backseat on our bucket list because I couldn’t overcome the geographical challenges coupled with my self-inflicited travel stipulations. I eventually stumbled across Awasi Patagonia and instantly knew this was for us! What sets Awasi apart from the other luxury properties in the Patagonia area is the fact that you get your own personal guide. Your guide retrieves you from the neighboring town of Puerto Natales, and from that moment until drop off at the airport at the end of your stay, every aspect of the trip is tailored to your preferences and interests. We have stayed in many luxurious places, but we have never experienced a level of customer service that matches what Awasi Patagonia had to offer.
The Property
Awasi Patagonia is the perfect blend of luxury and nature. I originally thought staying inside Torres Del Paine was a necessity, but Awasi allows you to stay just outside the park on a private reserve, with only a one hour drive to most activities. The best part is the property offers great views of the towers (when the weather cooperates of course!) from each villa.
As you enter the main lodge, there is a mudroom with slippers that coordinate with your villa number. After long days of hiking it feels incredible to put on slippers and go to dinner.
There is a dining area and bar, as well as a comfortable sitting area with massive fireplaces, huge windows, and books for reading.
The Villas
I was shocked at how spacious the villas were. With only 14 villas on the property, the experience nearly felt private. Each villa has a large wood-burning fireplace and a spacious living area that’s great for stretching, reading, relaxing, etc. There are 9 elongated windows that you can easily open if you want to invite in the fresh air and hear the wind whistle. There’s a mud room for dirty hiking boots and a snack bar with refreshments that are replenished daily. The decor is thoughtful, yet simple - connected with the surrounding environment rather than doused in luxury.
Each villa has its own hot tub, which I didn’t realize until we were reading through amazing reviews to pass time before our guide picked us up from Puerto Natales (shoutout to our guide Chris for helping me find a last minute bathing suit in town).
The Food
I knew going into this experience that Awasi cared a lot about their gastronomy. I was apprehensive because artistic and specialized cuisine can sometimes mean tiny portions and weird flavors. Thankfully, the all-inclusive atmosphere unleashed another layer of adventure in me. I felt like I could try an assortment of new foods without financial consequence or waste (the portions were small, but you could ask for replenishments of anything). Every single food item we ate was absolutely incredible, providing a new experience for our palates.
Even our to-go breakfasts and lunches were impressive. Their homemade granola was the highlight for me, but the warm soup after a hard hike was the highlight for my husband - a big thank you again to our guide Chris who carried the weight of the thermos in his pack so we could enjoy delicious treats during our hikes.
Each dinner started out with a welcome cocktail that changed daily, a personalized menu with the options for that evening, and a bread and butter course that changed flavors each day. It wasn’t long before the staff realized how much my husband loves bread. They began bringing him multiple rounds of bread without him having to ask! Some of our favorite dishes were hare loin, lamb and corn pie, southern hake, and sweet corn soup. My mouth is watering just thinking about all of the fantastic cuisine!
The Experience
The customization and attention to detail at Awasi was unparalleled. When we first booked our stay, I was under the impression that we had to choose specific half and full day itineraries that were listed on their website. I figured we would be required to solidify our plans on the day of our arrival and follow through with that itinerary, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Upon arriving, Chris sat down with us at a large table in the lobby where we were given a giant map. We proceeded to talk about our goals, interests, and detailed weather forecasts. I quickly realized that we were not confined to the labels of half and full day activities, but instead the only limitation would be our own bodies (and the weather). Chris was up for whatever we wanted and were capable of doing. We relied on his expertise of the region and the weather forecasts to choose which hikes and activities to complete on which days. He also had some ideas that weren’t on the “usual” list, so I wanted to take advantage of having a knowledgeable guide at our fingertips. One example was visiting a local family owned estancia (ranch), where they welcomed us to learn about the management of their sheep and wool business.
Throughout the week Chris did a great job learning more about us and our interests. He realized how fascinated my husband was with wildlife and would go out of his way to make those sightings likelier. He also learned our favorite foods and secretly requested special orders from the chef to surprise us.
The Staff
It wasn’t just our personal guide who made the Awasi experience so phenomenal, it was the entire staff. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with the most warm welcome. The bartenders and servers quickly learned our preferences and tailored every dining experience to our liking. We were greeted with daily good morning messages and happy arrival back messages via walkie talkie from the lodge manager. If we wanted to use the wood-fired hot tub, Chris would communicate that to the lodge so that it would be ready for us upon our return from the day’s activities. We have stayed in many nice places, but we have never had an experience where the customer service felt so authentic and genuine as it did at Awasi.
Awasi surpassed all of our expectations (even though they were quite high) and was the perfect match for my “high maintenance outdoorsy” spirit. Our stay was an experience that we will never forget, and we look forward to a day where we can return to this beautiful property and unparalleled staff.