Las Torres

Patagonia

Rating: Mid-range

highlights

Located inside Torres del Paine National Park
See waterfalls, lagoons, glaciers and forests
Spend time with a baqueano (cowboy)
Treat yourself to spa therapies
Enjoy views from the lounge and restaurant

Las Torres overview

Las Torres has a prime location within Torres del Paine National Park and offers a choice of half and full day excursions to enable you to experience the beauty and varied scenery of the park. It is set on a ranch of over 3,200 hectares, complete with a stable of up to 200 horses used for riding trips. Rooms and suites are simply furnished and provide comfortable, en-suite accommodation with views of the ranch and mountains beyond.

Days are filled with activity as you join a guide to visit waterfalls and lagoons, walk through forests, see glaciers, watch for wildlife and marvel at ancient rock paintings. There are opportunities for trekking, cycling and horse riding including lessons for novice riders. You also have the chance to spend time in the company of local baqueanos (cowboys) learning about their work on the ranch.

Back at the hotel the spa is the ideal place to indulge any aching muscles, as you enjoy a massage, reflexology, hydrotherapy session or sauna. The bar is the best place to mix with other guests and share traveller's tales as you unwind with a chilled beer, glass of wine or cocktail. In the restaurant you dine on traditional regional dishes, many of whose ingredients are from the ranch and organic garden, a true farm to fork experience. The large windows let you admire the fine scenery and watch birds and animals, and if you're very lucky you may spot a puma!

details

Open: Hotel Las Torres is open from mid-September to the end of April each year.

Location: The hotel is a former cattle farm and is on Cerra Paine Ranch inside Torres del Paine National Park. Transfers are offered from the airports at Punta Arenas and Calafate in Argentina. Transfers can also be arranged from Puerto Natales the nearest large town.

Rooms: There are 84 rooms divided into 3 categories. Canelo rooms are 20sqm in size, cipres rooms are 22sqm, and suites provide 38sqm of space. All are en-suite, decorated with local fabrics and paintings and have large windows. Suites have an indoor sitting area by a floor-to-ceiling window, a minibar and jacuzzi.

Activities: These include trekking, horse riding using horses from the hotel's own stables, and boat trips. You also have the chance to experience life as a baqueano, or Patagonian cowboy, spending time on the ranch. Excursions are led by bilingual (Spanish and English) guides. Excursions need to be booked in advance.

Facilities: The hotel has a restaurant, bar, spa, shop stocking handicrafts, outdoor clothing and gear, maps and books, and a kiosk where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

Dining: Restaurant Coiron specialises in regional dishes brought up to date with modern techniques and flavour combinations. Many of the vegetables, fruits and herbs used in cooking are grown in the hotel's organic garden and estate.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome. Minimum ages apply to activities and excursions.

Health: No particular health issues to be aware of here.

Communication: There is free wifi internet access in public areas.