Explora Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Vibe
Guests gather around trail maps in the expedition room and trade hiking stories over rica-rica pisco sours in the bar.
“High-desert expedition keep”
Certified wilderness guides tailor daily expeditions, supported by all-inclusive regional dining and attentive altitude-care services.
Over forty guided desert excursions, private stables with seventeen horses, and an on-site astronomical observatory dome.
Menus highlight indigenous desert ingredients like rica-rica and chañar, alongside guided explorations of high Andean ayllus.
On a 42-acre estate in Ayllu de Larache, looking out toward the Licancabur volcano.
“The architecture and interior design are understated, a sort of rustic modern look, the buildings clinging low to the surface of the earth…”
Rooms
Bright rooms intentionally omit televisions and Wi-Fi, featuring local woven tapestries and wide windows framing the Licancabur volcano.
“Everything at Explora Atacama is offered under the guidance of a Wilderness First Responder-certified team of experts who graduated from Explora’s own School of Guides.”
Wellness
Four interconnected outdoor pools and two open-air hot tubs sit among desert grasses beside the adobe Turi Puri spa.
Backstory
Architect Jose Cruz shaped the low-slung lodge to hug the earth within Ayllu de Larache, an ancient desert farming oasis.
Eat & drink
Menus developed with chef Virgilio Martinez highlight native desert ingredients like sweet chañar and cochayuyo, paired with Chilean wines.
The neighborhood
Just outside San Pedro de Atacama, the estate borders ancient irrigation canals with clear views across high-altitude desert plateaus.
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The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.