Dos Lagos Lodge, Chilean Patagonia

Dos Lagos Lodge, Coyhaique, Chile

Accommodations: With only a handful of guestrooms that are available to just one private group at a time, Dos Lagos was designed as an intimate property and is more of personal retreat than a conventional hotel. The lodge’s quarters have both modern accents and traditional Patagonian architecture, and each room is complete with a wood-burning stove and humbling views of La Paloma Lake and the Andes Mountains.

Facilities & Services: The lodge must be booked on a full-service basis, and the program includes transfers, all meals, and activities led by highly-trained guides. Dos Lagos offers amenities ranging from Direct TV and wireless internet to a sauna and wood-powered hot tub. Facilities include indoor badminton and volleyball courts, a lounge with a large stone fireplace and an outdoor deck, and even a water turbine that supplies energy to the lodge.

Location:  The aptly-named Dos Lagos is situated on a peninsula between Lago La Paloma and Lago Azul, accessible only by water, foot, or horseback. The Endless Waters Ranch, where the lodge is located, is in the Coyhaique area in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. The property is encircled by rivers, waterfalls, native lenga forests, the Azul grasslands, and snowy peaks that comprise the 442,000-acre Cerro Castillo National Reserve.

Cerro Castillo National Reserve, Patagonia, Chile (Flickr)

Special Touches: Not only may guests partake in complimentary activities such as mountain biking, fly fishing, and horseback riding; there are also opportunities for premium, a-la-carte excursions such as helicopter fishing tours and cooking classes with the resident chef, Giancarlo Mazzarelli.

Fishing at Dos Lagos Lodge, Patagonia, Chile

Latin Excursions Recommends: Dos Lagos is ideal for families or small groups seeking an exclusive and serene yet adventure-filled setting. It is an excellent choice for avid explorers looking to get off of the main tourist circuit, and for those interested in inspired hospitality rather than the services of a traditional hotel.