Chile’s adventure capital Pucón welcomed the October 1 opening of the region’s first all-inclusive luxury lodge, Vira Vira Hacienda Hotel.
More than a lodge, Vira Vira is a holistic retreat for the body and mind, located on the shore of the Liucura River just 10 minutes from Pucón and surrounded by 100 acres of pristine parkland and wilderness. As part of the property, the Vira Vira operates a small-scale farm and dairy that provides guests with a connection to pastoral life, as well as fresh, healthy cuisine made with products such as handmade cheese and organically grown fruits and vegetables, taking the “farm to table” concept to new levels.
Vira Vira life centers around a main lodge, with 21 comfortable and well-appointed guestrooms distributed around the property: six junior suites in the main building; 12 spacious split-level suites along the Liucura River; one independent “Ruca” cabin for added privacy; and three guestrooms in an owner-operated home for a more local experience. All rooms come with luxe bedding and amenities and a colorful decor of locally crafted woolens and arts & crafts; all furniture was custom-built for the Vira Vira. Each river suite has its own indoor bathtub with a view and an outdoor soak tub overlooking the river, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic vistas and fireplaces for a cozy ambiance.
The Vira Vira, which refers to a local plant known as “the herb of life” in the Mapuche language, is centered around a main lodge where travelers can meet and relax, with a gourmet restaurant, bar, library, and excursion planning center. There are several wood-burning outdoor hot tubs on the Liucura River, and guests are invited to take a stroll along the lodge’s nature paths to look for woodpeckers and other wildlife, tour the farm and its cheese-making facility, watch the milking of the cows, or pay a visit to the lodge’s Shetland ponies, dwarf goats and wild boar.
Pucón, a postcard-perfect village nestled on the shore of Lake Villarrica and dominated by the snowcapped Volcano Villarrica, is considered Chile’s adventure playground and one of the most iconic destinations in South America for its myriad volcanoes and jagged peaks, dense forests that feel like stepping back millions of years into the Jurassic era, lakes and rivers, and plunging waterfalls at every turn. Every afternoon, bilingual guides meet with guests to plan for the following day’s excursions, which can include the classic climb to the smoking crater of the Volcano Villarrica; a quiet kayak excursion on the forest-shrouded Lake Tinquilco; mountain biking through forests of 1,000-year-old monkey-puzzle trees; exploring volcanic caves; or light trekking through one of the region’s two national parks. More low-key adventurers may opt for a quiet sail across Lake Villarrica or an outing to one of the region’s famous natural hot springs to unwind and rejuvenate.
The lodge is located just 10 minutes from Pucón, and can be reached by a 1.5-hour flight from Santiago to the Araucanía Airport (ZCO) near Temuco. The Vira Vira Hacienda Hotel’s rates begin at USD $1,475 per person for a 3-night stay, and includes lodging, all meals prepared with local and organic ingredients from the farm, beverages, daily excursions with bilingual guides, and transportation from the airport to the hotel. The Vira Vira will offer a promotional rate of 15% off packages for reservations until January 15, 2015.
Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira, www.hotelviravira.com