If you don’t believe the forest is a magical place, a stay at the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve in Chile’s Patagonian rain forest will likely change your mind. The reserve is home to eight hotels and lodges that differ based on the kind of experience you’d like to have.
The first hotel built at Huilo Huilo is without a doubt one of the most unique buildings I’ve ever seen. Montaña Mágica Lodge is an otherworldly, cone-shaped structure, studded with windows and covered with vegetation. This man-made mountain boasts a waterfall that runs from the top of the structure down the outside wall and through the reception area before it exits the building by cascading over a stone wall in the hotel’s restaurant. This water feature sets the tone for everything you will see at the resort. The property has 12 cozy, fairytale-style rooms, with rounded wood walls give you the feeling that you’re staying inside a particularly comfortable tree.
The most distinctive hotel on the property is the Nothofagus Hotel & Spa. You can tell from its round, vaguely alien-like shape with large windows set back behind balconies encircling each floor, that it was designed to maximize the area’s spectacular views. Designed to look like a tree rising from the forest floor, it holds 55 rooms, including some dual level suites. All provide amazing views of both the surrounding rain forest and the nearby volcano. A round, rooftop viewing terrace, offers spectacular 360-degree views of the reserve and the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Dining is an important part of the guest experience. Everything is sourced locally and thoughtfully prepared. The Nothofagus restaurant has both an à la carte menu and an extensive buffet, but the best dining experience is at the exclusive Nawlepi Lodge. There you can enjoy a traditional meal that honors the lifestyles of the area’s native people.
The Nawlepi lodge is also the most luxurious place to stay on the reserve, with 12 cabins built of locally-sourced materials and connected to nature through the trees growing right through the rooms. Each cabin has beautiful large and modern bathrooms featuring a double vanity and Jacuzzi bathtub. Their coolest features are the wood-fired hot tubs on the balcony where you can relax and enjoy the sound of the river rushing by below while overlooking the Patagonian rain forest.
