Frommer's Review
Explora in Patagonia has garnered more fame than any other hotel in Chile, and deservedly so. Few hotels in the world offer as stunning a view as does Explora, perched above the milky, turquoise waters of Lago Pehoé and facing the dramatic granite amphitheater of the Cuernos formation. It is terribly expensive, but worth the splurge if you can afford it. Explora's style is comfortable elegance, and its handsome interiors belie the rather bland exterior: Softly curving blond-wood walls built entirely from native deciduous beech are a soothing environment in which to relax after a long hike. A band of picture windows wraps around the full front of the building, and there are large windows in each room -- even the bathrooms come with cutouts in the wall so that while you're brushing your teeth, you can still have your eyes on the gorgeous panorama. The furniture was handcrafted using local wood, and the crisp guest rooms are accented with Spanish checkered linens, handsome slate-tiled bathrooms, and warming racks for drying gear. Explora recently expanded to include 20 new guest rooms, meaning it is easier now to get a reservation than before, but the hotel has, in the process, lost a bit of intimacy that it had at 30 rooms.
Explora is all-inclusive, with prices that cover airport transfers, meals, open bar, and excursions. Every evening, 5 of the 20 full-time guides meet with guests to discuss the following day's excursions, which range from easy half-day walks to strenuous full-day hikes. There are about 15 excursions to choose from, including horseback rides and photo safaris. In the morning, a fleet of vans whisks guests off to their destination and back again for lunch; guides carry picnic lunches for full-day hikes. The set menu is limited to two choices, generally a meat and vegetarian dish, and it must be said that the food quality has at times been uneven -- never bad, but not as outstanding as one would expect from a hotel of this caliber. Americans make up a full 50% of the guests, who typically leave thrilled with their visit. Note that the first-day arrival to the hotel is around 6pm, time for a short hike to a lookout point only, and the last day isn't really a day at all, as guests leave after breakfast for the drive back to the airport. Guests will want to consider Explora's new "Viajes," add-on journeys to Chaltén and the Fitz Roy National Park and Calafate, both in Argentina.
Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; lounge; large indoor pool; outdoor Jacuzzi; sauna; massage
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.
