Explora Atacama

Style

Unplugged explorer’s retreat

Setting

Terracotta terrain and hotsprings

Be at one with nature at boutique stay Explora Atacama, just outside the high-altitude Chilean village of San Pedro. Designed by architect Jose Cruz, the hotel’s clean lines blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature reserve. Take advantage of a plethora of included guided excursions, such as horseback riding and hiking through the otherworldly desert, then unwind in the nearby hot springs or quartet of interconnected pools. Rooms are understated and low-tech; meals are a locavore’s dream come true. At night, gaze at the stars from the resort’s private observatory or toast ¡Saludo! and nurse pisco sours in the Explorer’s Bar.

Facilities

Rooms

50, including four suites.

Checkout

10am. Earliest check-in, 1pm.

More Details

Rates include all meals, drinks, airport transfers, guided excursions, spa access and WiFi in the communal areas. A minimum three-night stay applies.

Also

Common areas have level surfaces and ramps that are suited to guests with mobility issues; rooms have wide doorways (but they don’t come with modified bathrooms).

Free Internet Access

Spa

At the Hotel

Private access to local hot springs; stables; stargazing observatory, alfresco barbecue area, four swimming pools, spa, free WiFi in the common areas, on-site parking spaces, laundry service. In rooms: Explora bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

All of the guestrooms are understated and cosy, but the Catur Suites have the most dramatic views of the Licancabur volcano and alfalfa fields.

Poolside

Natural grasses and dramatic desert plants surround the pool area, where you’ll find four interconnecting outdoor swimming pools – one of which is heated – and two Jacuzzis.

Spa

The diminutive, two-room Turi Puri spa is next to the hotel, housed in a restored colonial adobe-straw building. Choose from a range of relaxing essential-oil massages (book treatments in advance). The hotel also has a sauna and steam bath near the pools.

Packing Tips

Bring your trekking boots, horse-friendly apparel and a hefty bottle of sunblock – you’ll be 2,500m above sea level during your stay.

Also

Visit the hotel’s private observatory during one of its nightly viewings to take advantage of the clear night skies. Explora Atacama also owns the nearby Puritama hot springs and guests have exclusive access to a reserved spot at the springs.

Children

All of the excursions can be tailored to families, and rooms can be interconnected and fitted with extra beds. There’s no children’s menu, but the restaurant will heat up baby food and highchairs can be provided.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Snag a seat on the terrace for the most dramatic desert views.

Dress Code

Keep it casual and cosy from morning to night, channelling the classic style of off-duty cowboys and intrepid explorers.

Hotel Restaurant

At Explora Restaurant, the menu was developed by none other than chef Virgilio Martínez (owner of Lima's Central Restaurante, which has held the title of world's best). Dishes inspired by the Atacama showcase local delicacies such as cochayuyo (a type of seaweed) and sweet chañar fruit. Lunch and dinner are accompanied by a selection of Chilean wines. In the mornings, there’s a buffet spread of muesli, fresh fruits, and cooked-to-order egg dishes. Quincho, a barbecue area centred around a renovated adobe house and patio, is a short stroll from the hotel. On certain evenings, traditional barbecues of spit-roasted-lamb, beef and fish, and other local dishes are hosted here, accompanied by Andean music and dance performances.

Hotel Bar

The Explorer’s Bar is where guests and guides plan excursions – and then relax afterwards. This mellow bar is stocked with spirits and Chilean wines; walls are lined with maps and photographs of the surrounding area. Don’t leave without trying at least one pisco sour.

Last Orders

The restaurant is open daily from 7am until 10pm.

Planes

Room rates include return transfers between the hotel and Calama Airport, 100 kilometres away. From Santiago International Airport, hop on a two-hour flight to Calama, where a member of Explora Atacama’s team will whisk you away to your desert oasis.

Automobiles

San Pedro is five minutes away by car; the hotel has on-site parking.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Explora Atacama is a pioneer in remote travel, with a serious back-to-nature ethos. The resort’s all-inclusive excursions can be tailored to specific ages and physical abilities. Discuss these with your guide when you meet up in the Explorer Bar, where guests and guides gather every evening before dinner to talk about the next day’s available adventures. Possible activities include half-day or full-day treks, horse-riding, and trips to the nearby Puritama hot springs. The resort’s stables are home to 17 horses which have all been raised at a renowned ranch in central Chile and trained to suit riders of all ages, abilities and experience. If you’re a bit of a nervous greenhorn, don’t worry; Explora has programmes for beginners, too. There’s also a lot to be said for spending an afternoon soaking up the views from the pools and outdoor Jacuzzis, or indulging in essential-oil massages in the peaceful spa.
At night, take advantage of brilliantly clear skies and the on-site observatory for some serious stargazing.

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. .