Tierra Chiloe

Resting on a hilltop overlooking the inland sea, Tierra Chiloe is a warm and welcoming hotel on the island of Chiloe. Chiloe is the second largest island in Chile and the hotel encompasses more than 25 acres of countryside and beach. It is surrounded by gently undulating green hills sprinkled with wildflowers, native trees and the Pullao wetland.
 
Tierra Chiloe is an all-inclusive (food, alcohol, transfers and activities) luxury hotel so a visit begins with an airport pick-up. Life for the local islanders is rural and rustic and guests will spot many of their colourful shingle houses as they take the half-an-hour drive to the hotel.  
 
The beauty of this destination is as much in the landscape as it is in the island residents with their deep-rooted culture and timeless traditions. So the Chiloe archipelago will have endless appeal for both nature and culture lovers.
 
In typical Tierra style (they own two other award-winning hotels in Chile), the hotel’s distinctive architecture is very much in tune with its breath taking surroundings. Local Chilote handcrafts — wicker baskets, wooden carvings and hand-woven rugs — decorate Tierra Chiloe. Upstairs, guests will find a quiet space to relax with books and magazines. Downstairs there's a small wine–tasting room, and one of our favourite features is the outside seating area surrounding an open fire. 
 
There are only 12 warm and cosy guest rooms all located on the upper floor. The oversized rooms are designed for relaxation – guests can sit back in their private Jacuzzi and enjoy the spectacular, panoramic views over the bay. They are beautifully decorated with hand-made rugs and throws woven from local lambs’ wool. All 12 bedrooms are very similar, with the exception of two slightly larger rooms which can have an additional bed for guests with children.
 
 
If the Jacuzzi isn’t enough there's also a small but perfectly formed spa with a sauna, steam room, massage room, and plunge pool with jets. And with all the excursions on offer guests have certainly earned that soak in the spa at the end of the day!
 
For us, the hotel’s activity programme is one of the highlights. There is a daily choice of half and full day excursions on foot, horse, bike, by vehicle, kayak or on board the hotel’s traditional wooden boat “Williche”; group sizes are limited to 8 guests to ensure personal attention. The hotel’s team of guides help guests create their own personal schedule of activities, alternating a variety of outings such as cultural trips, boating, horseback riding, biking, trekking and nature observation.
 
Lastly, there’s no doubt that foodies will relish the simple, local and delicious cuisine at Tierra Chiloe. Traditional local produce of Chiloe include succulent oysters, farm fresh eggs and, straight from the surrounding waters, the daily catch. One of the stand out local dishes is the Curanto, a stew of shellfish, fish, potatoes and meat, cooked on hot stones in a hole in the ground. Other mouth-watering dishes include the crabs of Quellón, the golden liquor of Chonchi, the traditional pancakes milcao and chapalele, and apple cider.