Hotel AWA

Chile’s southern region is increasingly known as its Lake District, and not without reason — this one, Lake Llanquihue, is spectacular, and would be even without the white-capped peak of Osorno, the volcano, dominating the horizon. It’s a setting that doesn’t necessarily need an extraordinarily attractive luxury boutique hotel, but it’s got one anyway: Hotel AWA, five stories of concrete, glass, metal, and wood, a stunning example of Chile’s specific brand of warm, organic modernism.

It helps that the hotelier is himself an architect and designer, and lives on site. This is clearly a labor of love, with every detail carefully considered, right down to the diagonal orientation of the rooms and suites, which are positioned for privacy, views, and optimal sun exposure. With just sixteen units, it’s small, and feels exceedingly private, though the public spaces are lively and the staff eager to help. And even among eco-hotels, it’s a model of sustainable virtue; AWA is a certified B Corporation, independently assessed for its beneficial social and environmental effects.

A restaurant serves an ever-changing menu of high-end contemporary fare sourced as locally as possible, accompanied by expertly chosen Chilean wines. And the spa, with its heated indoor pool, is a fantastic place to relax. But you’d be remiss if you didn’t get out and about, as the setting is the real star here — excursions are available for anyone who’d like to explore the surrounding national parks on foot, on horseback, or by bike, kayak, raft, or even seaplane.