Many luminaries have spent the night at Hotel Antumalal, including Queen Elizabeth, Jimmy Stewart, and Neil Armstrong, and yet for all the hotel’s years the Antumalal is one of those hidden jewels that travelers are always delighted to discover. The hotel’s spa, recently renovated and now a holistic polarity center, adds to the region’s designation as the spa & wellness center of Chile. The iconic Antumalal celebrated 62 years this year, and has been impeccably maintained. Architect Jorge Elton was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and his influence can be seen throughout the hotel, in fact, the hotel’s modernist style seems as fresh today as it did in the 1950s.
The hotel is located at the foot of a smoking volcano in Chile’s Lake District, in 12 acres of lush gardens overlooking Lake Villarrica and on toward rainforest-draped peaks. Created in natural surroundings just 2 km from the activity centre of Pucón, the Hotel Antumalal continues to provide distinguished service into its 61st year. 780km south of Santiago, the Antumalal offers accommodation for 46 people in rooms with individual fireplaces and panoramic glass panes overlooking the Villarrica Lake. The restaurant, gardens, beaches and the Spa Antumaco guarantee perfect lake views and a relaxing escape within the private park and native woods. [Photos and information provided by Kristina Schreck]