Tierra Atacama, Beckons

Style

Adobe flash

Setting

Overlooking Licancabur volcano

Tierra Atacama, Beckons shines as brightly as the stars that twinkle above it by night: the hotel is brilliantly placed for astrological – and other – adventures. We’ve never been able to resist a hotel that has a map room, especially when the Atacama Desert beckons beyond (and there’s a spoiling spa dishing out volcanic-mud treatments and desert-herb facials). Two pools, restrained mid-century interiors, a wine-loving bar, excellent restaurant and frankly brilliant staff count among Tierra Atacama’s considerable Chilean charms.

Facilities

Rooms

32.

Checkout

11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.

More Details

Rates at Tierra Atacama, Beckons include all meals and non-alcoholic drinks, two half-day or one full-day excursion, access to the spa, and airport transfers. There’s a minimum three-night stay, five nights during the festive season.

Also

The hotel’s single-storey, flat-floored design makes it suitable for wheelchair-users.

Hotel Closed

The hotel will close for refurbishment from 1 April 2024 to 1 March 2025.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Spa

At the Hotel

Orchard, gardens, alfalfa fields, medicinal herb garden; terrace with fire pit; map room, TV lounge, guest computers, communal areas with working fireplaces. In rooms: desk and workspace, air-conditioning (or fans), black-out curtains, free bottled water, minibar, L’Occitane bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

Kick back and relax in the spacious Poniente Rooms, which have large picture windows so you can spy on the closest volcano, plus a private terrace with an outdoor shower for adventurous bathing (clean or otherwise). Suite stays also include private excursions and transfers.

Poolside

There are two pools to splash around in: an awe-inspiring outdoor oasis in view of volcanoes, with eye-widening crescent-moon-shaped wicker sunloungers, plus an indoor pool attached to the Uma Spa, with water jets, bubble ‘beds’ and other playful features.

Spa

Uma means ‘water’; at Uma Spa, you can expect exactly that – and more besides. The spa has three candle-lit, cocoon-like treatment rooms, where nimble-knuckled masseuses dish out facials, massages, body wraps, scrubs and alternative therapies. Treatments feature volcanic mud, lithium-rich salts and desert herbs. Try the spa’s adventure menu, which matches excursions to post-adventure therapies: you could hike up Moon Valley, then unwind with a crystal massage and reiki ritual, for example, or opt for a hot-stone massage after visiting the Tatio Geysers. Just sitting in the relaxation area will reboot you, especially when you factor in dramatic volcano views and on-the-house servings of rica rica herbal tea and ice-cold cucumber water.

Packing Tips

Picture a modern Chilean explorer, then pack accordingly. (Start with clothes and shoes you can trek to volcanoes and villages in.)

Also

The hotel called upon the services of acclaimed Chilean landscape artist Teresa Moller for its eye-pleasing grounds. Teresa renovated the original adobe walls, enhanced the old irrigation canals and preserved ancient algarrobo and chañar trees.

Children

Over-10s are welcome; an extra bed can be added to the Superior rooms for an extra cost.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Nab window seats and eye-up Licancabur volcano.

Dress Code

Red-hot Chile peppers.

Hotel Restaurant

If you’re not familiar with Chilean cuisine, prepare to be delighted: typical dishes are flavoursome, light and healthy, showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients. The hotel restaurant acts as an excellent guide to the region’s bounty: its daily-changing, three-course set menus champion Chilean beef, lamb, seafood, fish and home-grown produce (vegetarians have nothing to fear here). Expect to see plenty of quinoa, Andean spuds and fresh herbs; you might start with a crab-filled pastry or a grilled-pear salad with camembert; progress to ostrich fillet with cabernet sauce and a side of thyme and sage fettuccini, then finish with a traditional southern crumb kuchen (cake) with cabernet sauvignon ice-cream (for example).

Hotel Bar

Oenophiles will think they’ve died and gone to grapey heaven at Tierra Atacama’s bar, which champions Chilean varieties, including the merlot-like carmenere. A pick of the country’s best chardonnays, sauvignon blancs, merlots, cabernet sauvignons, pinot noirs and syrahs are all available; let the well-informed staff wine-match your meals.

Last Orders

Dinner is served until 10pm (breakfast is 8am–10am; lunch is 1pm–3pm).

Planes

Calama El Loa Airport is 100 kilometres away, a 90-minute drive. You’ll need to fly to Santiago International Airport first (British Airways offers flights from Heathrow; you can also connect from Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Miami, Sydney and other hubs), then hop on a two-hour domestic flight. Shared return transfers from Calama and San Pedro de Atacama are included in the all-inclusive rate.

Automobiles

San Pedro de Atacama is the closest town, 10 minutes away by car. It’s worth picking up wheels from Caloma El Loa Airport if you want to explore the hotel’s incredible scenery.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Where do we start? This hotel has an adventurous schedule in mind (should you want it; Tierra Atacama, Beckons is equally good at relaxation). It’d be a massive shame to skip the heart-quickening local highlights: the hot springs at Puritama, best visited after a morning at the Tatio Geysers; walking expeditions to the Machuca and Rio Grande to discover small traditional villages and river gorges; a trip to the petroglyphs at Rainbow Valley and Purilaktis; hiking in Moon Valley… Opt for the spa’s Adventure Menu and you can pair your adventures with rejuvenating treatments. Sit in the map room before you set off, so as to plan your explorations properly (staff are on hand to help).

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .