Our Top Picks
- Tierra Atacama – The reigning champion of South American luxury travel guide lists, earning the top spot for its balance of high-end wellness and raw desert immersion.
- Hotel Casa Real – An elegant heritage retreat near Santiago that captures the romantic essence of Chilean wine culture, ranking second overall.
- Tierra Patagonia – A masterpiece of sustainable architecture in Torres del Paine, offering the ultimate sanctuary for families and nature lovers.
The best South American resorts for 2024 are led by Chile's Tierra Atacama, which holds the top spot for its blend of sustainable architecture and deep desert immersion. Chile continues to dominate the luxury market through its signature all-inclusive adventure lodges across Patagonia and the Atacama, setting a new global standard for Andean hospitality.
Chile has transformed from a whispered secret among intrepid explorers into a premier destination for those seeking a refined travel experience. This year, the results of the 2024 luxury travel trends are clear: the southern cone is no longer just competing with the world; it is leading it. In the prestigious 2024 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, Chilean resorts secured three of the top five positions in the South America category.
More impressively, Tierra Atacama was the highest-rated South American property in the global rankings, achieving a remarkable score of 98.93 and securing the 19th spot overall among the top 100 hotels in the world. This dominance was further cemented by the World Travel Awards, which honored Chile as South America's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination and Leading Green Destination, while the Atacama Desert was named the region's most romantic destination.
The Atacama Desert: High-Altitude Luxury
Nestled within the driest non-polar desert on Earth, San Pedro de Atacama hosts a collection of lodges that redefine the meaning of an oasis. This region offers a unique Atacama Desert adventure resorts comparison where the focus shifts from traditional opulence to a sophisticated, sensory-rich connection with the landscape.
Tierra Atacama is celebrated as one of the best luxury resorts in Chile for 2024, specifically for its commitment to holistic well-being. The property is designed to be invisible from a distance, with raw adobe walls and geometric lines that mimic the surrounding salt flats and volcanic peaks. Here, the luxury lies in the details—the scent of local herbs in the Uma Spa, the warmth of fire pits under a canopy of stars, and the personalized Andean hospitality that makes every guest feel like a resident of the desert rather than a visitor.
While Tierra focuses on wellness, Awasi Atacama provides an unrivaled level of privacy. This Relais & Chateaux property offers a 1:1 guide-to-room ratio, ensuring that every excursion is entirely bespoke. Each of the ten circular suites comes with a private guide and a dedicated 4WD vehicle, allowing for a deep, solitary exploration of the lunar landscapes without the presence of other tour groups.
On the other hand, Explora Atacama is geared toward those who crave deep adventure. Its exclusive access to the Puritama Hot Springs and its private observatory for astronomical observation make it a powerhouse in the South American luxury travel guide rankings. For a more intimate, boutique feel, Nayara Alto Atacama stands out with its desert-oasis aesthetic, tucked into a private valley where the red rock walls glow at sunset.
| Resort | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Tierra Atacama | Wellness & Spas | Guided stargazing and Uma Spa treatments |
| Awasi Atacama | Ultimate Privacy | Private guide and vehicle for every suite |
| Explora Atacama | Adventure & Science | Private observatory and hot springs access |
| Nayara Alto Atacama | Scenery & Aesthetic | Dramatic location within a red rock canyon |
Expert Reality Check: Many of these lodges operate on a solar-powered grid and intentionally exclude televisions from guest rooms to encourage connection with the environment. If you require high-speed streaming for work, these remote wilderness lodges may challenge your digital habits, but they will reward your spirit.
Patagonia & The Deep South: Glacial Grandeur
In the frozen reaches of the deep south, the narrative shifts toward panoramic mountain vistas and sustainable architecture. Tierra Patagonia, ranked fourth in the 2024 awards, is a masterclass in the Andescape style. Its undulating wooden form sits on the edge of Lake Sarmiento, appearing like a piece of driftwood washed ashore.
This lodge is widely considered among the top rated Patagonia luxury lodges for families because it manages to balance high-end refinement with a welcoming, communal atmosphere. The all-inclusive expeditions range from gentle walks through the pampas to rigorous treks toward the base of the granite towers. Inside, the scent of lenga wood and the floor-to-ceiling windows create a cocoon of warmth against the winds of Torres del Paine National Park.
For those seeking the best all-inclusive resorts in Chilean Patagonia, the choices often lead back to the "Big Three" (Tierra, Explora, and Awasi). Each offers a slightly different take on the glacial experience:
- Explora Torres del Paine is the only luxury lodge situated directly inside the national park, offering prime access to the most famous trails.
- Awasi Patagonia consists of individual villas scattered across a private reserve, ensuring the highest level of seclusion for romantic getaways.
- Tierra Patagonia provides the most visually stunning spa experience, where you can swim in an indoor pool while watching guanacos graze outside against the backdrop of the mountains.
Central Valley: Heritage and Wine Lodges
Away from the extreme environments of the desert and the glaciers, the central valleys offer a different kind of luxury based on enology tours and colonial history. Hotel Casa Real, located on the Santa Rita vineyard estate near Santiago, achieved a stunning second place in the 2024 best South American resorts list.
This boutique estancia is a tribute to the 19th-century boom of Chilean wine. With only 16 rooms, the experience is profoundly personal. Staying here feels like being a guest in a grand private manor, complete with manicured gardens, a neo-Gothic chapel, and direct access to some of the country’s most historic wine cellars. It is a vital inclusion in any luxury hotels in Chile reviews, providing a cultural anchor to a trip that might otherwise be focused solely on nature.
Just across the border, yet often included in these regional circuits, is Cavas Wine Lodge in Mendoza. While technically in Argentina, its proximity and shared standard of high-end hospitality standards make it a staple for travelers exploring the southern cone’s wine heritage. These lodges offer a slower pace, where the day is measured in wine flights and sunset walks through the vines.
Expert Insights: Urban Stays vs. Remote Resorts
When navigating a South American luxury travel guide, it is essential to distinguish between the urban luxury of Santiago and the remote wilderness lodgings. Cities like Santiago offer world-class hotels such as the W Santiago or The Ritz-Carlton, which serve as excellent transit hubs. However, the true essence of Chilean dominance lies in the expedition resorts.
The remote lodges are destination-driven; you do not go to the Atacama to stay in a hotel, you go to experience the Atacama through the hotel. This distinction is vital for setting expectations. In the city, luxury is a marble bathroom and a rooftop bar. In the wilderness of Tierra or Explora, luxury is the ability to walk for six hours without seeing another human, followed by a three-course meal paired with a rare Carmenere.
For those looking to venture even further afield, Nayara Hangaroa on Easter Island provides a sustainable and culturally immersive experience. Its architecture pays homage to the island's ancestral dwellings, proving that Chile's luxury footprint extends far into the Pacific.
Insider Tip: For the most romantic experience in the Atacama, book a Saturday night stay during a new moon. The lodge-led astronomical observation sessions are transformative when the sky is at its darkest, revealing the Milky Way with a clarity that feels almost tactile.
FAQ
What are the top-rated luxury resorts in South America?
Based on the 2024 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, the top-rated luxury resorts in South America are Tierra Atacama in Chile, followed by Hotel Casa Real in Chile, and Cavas Wine Lodge in Argentina. Tierra Atacama currently holds the highest global ranking for any South American property.
Are there all-inclusive resorts in South America?
Yes, South America, and Chile in particular, is famous for its high-end all-inclusive expedition lodges. Brands like Tierra, Explora, and Awasi offer packages that include luxury accommodation, all meals and premium drinks, airport transfers, and a wide menu of daily guided excursions.
What is the best time of year to visit resorts in South America?
For the Atacama Desert, the best time to visit is from September to November or March to May to avoid the peak heat and the occasional Altiplanic winter rains. For Patagonia, the prime season is the southern hemisphere summer, from October to March, when the weather is most stable for hiking and outdoor activities.
Which South American resorts are most suitable for families?
Tierra Patagonia and Tierra Atacama are excellent for families due to their flexible excursion schedules and communal atmosphere. Many Chilean lodges offer specific family suites and activities designed to engage children with the local flora, fauna, and geology.
