• Ritz-Carlton, Santiago (tel. 2/470-8500; www.ritzcarlton.com): If old-world grandeur, superlative service, and flawless attention to detail are at the top of your list, you'll want to stay at the Ritz. This hotel lives up to its luxurious brand name with such amenities as a heated pool (a novelty in Chile) and serene spa, plus a convenient location close to some of the city's finest restaurants. The glass-domed top floor affords beautiful panoramas of the city and the Andes. For the ultimate in decadence, soak in a bath of carmenère wine, prepared by your very own bath butler, then head down to the butch bar, brimming with brass, leather, and mahogany, which offers an unholy alliance of top shelf liquors, cigars, and delectable snacks well into the early hours.
  • Hotel del Mar, Viña del Mar (tel. 32/250-0800; www.hoteldelmar.cl.): Viña's new Sheraton pales next to the classic Hotel del Mar, with its central location, regal Greco-Roman decor, and Monte Carlo-style casino. Best of all, everything's within reach, including the beach, just a hop across the street. For families, there's a children's center and proximity to kid-pleasing carriage rides and ice cream stands.
  • Casa Higueras, Valparaíso (tel. 2/657-3950; www.hotelcasahigueras.cl): Clinging to a hillside above the emblematic city, this restored mansion is now a sumptuous boutique hotel that defies hyperbole: gorgeous decor, luxurious bathrooms, views, service, gourmet cuisine, and the only hotel swimming pool in town.
  • Hacienda Los Lingues, near San Fernando (tel. 2/431-0510; www.loslingues.com): For pure old-world faded grandeur, step back in time to the 17th century with a visit to one of Chile's oldest hotels, located in the rural heartland of the Central Valley south of Santiago. Los Lingues has been in the same family's hands for more than 400 years, and each venerable room has been lovingly and individually decorated, with personal touches such as family antiques, photos, and other collectibles. If you are looking for high class and idiosyncratic character -- not a high-end contemporary resort -- this antique property will live long in the memory.
  • Clos Apalta Casitas, Santa Cruz (tel. 72/321-803; www.closapalta.cl): If money is no object, a couple of nights staying in one of the four deluxe casitas at Clos Apalta's state-of-the-art winery are the perfect indulgence for any oenophile. Nestled on a gentle slope high above the expansive Apalta Valley in the Colchagua Valley, this is one of the country's most exclusive lodgings. Each secluded, one-room cottage is pared-down yet sophisticated, and an adjoining deck provides what is certainly the best view from any lodging unit in Chile's wine country. Horseback riding, gourmet meals, wine tastings, and tours, and a bottle of Chile's finest wine are included in the package.
  • Hotel Awasi, San Pedro de Atacama (tel. 2/233-9641; www.awasi.cl): This luxury newcomer to the all-inclusive scene in San Pedro de Atacama combines effortless style, gracious service, and superlative amenities in a rustic adobe setting that blends harmoniously with the landscape. With your own private tour guide and 4*4 vehicle at your disposal, you are guaranteed the freedom to experience this stunning area without compromise. With one of the finest chefs in the region at the helm in the kitchen, dining under the stars doesn't get much better than this.
  • Hotel Antumalal, Pucón (tel. 45/441011; www.antumalal.cl): This low-slung, Bauhaus-influenced country inn is one of the most special places to lodge in Chile. Located high above the shore of Lake Villarrica and a sloping, terraced garden, the hotel literally sinks into its surroundings, offering a cozy ambience and an excellent view of the evening sunset. A warm welcome and a room with no lock are all part of making you feel at home. The inn has outstanding cuisine, too.
  • Hacienda Tres Lagos (tel. 2/333-4122; www.haciendatreslagos.com): Nestled near the southwest corner of spectacular Lake General Carrera, this estancia-style resort has a lake -- and beach -- of its own. Accommodations vary from hotel suites in the main lodge to family-oriented, independent cabañas to romantic yet very modern luxury apartments, but all share the lakefront view of Lago Negro and the Patagonian Andes beyond, and all are finely decorated with great attention to detail. As befits its location, it offers plenty of outdoor activities on foot, horseback, boats, or farther afield to the Tamango Nature Preserve to try to glimpse the endangered huemul deer.
  • explora Patagonia Hotel Salto Chico, Torres del Paine National Park (tel. 866/750-6699 in the U.S., or 2/206-6060 in Santiago; www.explora.com): This is the hotel that put Torres del Paine on the map and created a new sense of outdoor luxury, where great hiking and divine service go hand in hand. And while $600 (£400) per person per night may be tough to swallow, consider that your stay here includes everything from superb bilingual guides, hikes, and horseback rides to fresh-baked cookies, an excellent wine list, and a spa. Plush beds, soaker tubs, and all meals are also included.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.