Archive for the ‘Chile’ Category

By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

Dealing directly with travelers on a daily basis has its rewards. Hotels are among the first to spot changing travel trends. And they are also fast in accommodating them. Such gave rise to the hotel Spa, a profit center that every hotel and resort had to get their hands on.

So what’s hot now? It seems that all the hottest action is taking place on the rooftop! Here’s a look at how rooftops are transforming the hotel, dining, lounging and nightlife experience in urban centers across the globe. (click on the pictures to find out)

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By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

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By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

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By Dian Hasan | November 22, 2009

What would a resort stay experience be without a pool? Unthinkable! Pools have come a long way, playing a central role in creating a distinctive experience and serving as a social hub. Integral to any hotel’s brand identity and brand experience. Here’s a look at some of world’s sexiest resort pools!

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By Dian Hasan | October 7, 2009

Explora started life as Chile’s leading adventure tour operator, taking world travelers to witness her majestic – and diverse – landscapes that are distinctively different. Atacama Desert in the north and the world-famous Patagonia in the south that leads to the southernmost tip of Tierra del Fuego.

Evolving into hotels was a natural progression for Explora. And it opened its first – Hotel Salto Chico in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, in 1993. Following its success, Hotel de Larache opened five years later in the Atacama Desert, and in December 2007 the newest hotel, Posada de Mike Rapu, opened on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Posada Mike Rapu is Chile’s first LEED-certified property, Chile’s first when it opened.

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By Dian Hasan | September 29, 2009

Chile is on the upswing! The small but narrow country has earned the nickname “Tiger Economy” likened to the other export-oriented economies of the Far East.

A healthy economy has spilled into other areas of Arts and Architecture. Chile’s stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes provide the perfect inspiration. The past few years have seen a steady flow of new hotels across Chile that have raised the bar in style and design language.  This hotel is no different.

The Arrebol Patagonia Hotel is located in the forest area of Puerto Varas, Chile just on the south-east border of Llanquihue Lake. The area is an amazing array of natural beauty, full with native trees, lagoons, ravines and little creeks and rivers.

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Mano de Desierto (Hand of the Desert), Atacama Desert, Chile. Photo: flickr member cruz fr

A strange sight that never fails to grab attention! Is it a giant buried in the unforgiving desert sand? Or a sequel to the “Planet of the Apes” scene, where the hand of the Statue of Liberty was sticking out of the sand? Maybe that’s where the inspiration was drawn from.

This is just an exercise of a creative outlet from one Chilean artist who wanted to make a “larger-than-life” artistic statement.

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By Dian Hasan | September 12, 2009

A few years ago, the word “extreme” probably meant something associated with negative behavior, before they combined it with “sports”. Together they mean something totally different, not necessarily negative – if you omit the fact that it almost always involves daredevil stunts and activities. Pushing the limit, and getting your adrenaline pumping like mad. But that’s human nature, the adventurist in all of us often just begs to come out to play – awaiting the right activity to explore our “wild side”. Whether it’s bungy jumping, kayaking, surfing, skateboarding, kitesurfing, flying, and many more.

In the world of travel, there’s even an area in one remote corner of the world – down under – that has built its reputation solely on a variety of extreme activities. Queenstown, New Zealand, the world’s unofficial capital of Extreme Sports. If you’re into Extreme Kayaking, here’s a list of places where you can get your fix. Read the rest of this entry »

When Chilean architect Rodrigo Verdugo ventured into the design of two Eco Loges in Chile’s Huilo Huilo Private Natural Reserve, he was set to take his imagination to new heights. While La Montaña Mágica (The Magic Mountain) Hotel was inspired by an erupting volcano, with cascading water replacing the fire and amber, the idea for the second lodge, Baobab Hotel was probably drawn from a bee-hive, or a snail’s shell. Read the rest of this entry »

Tree houses as hotels are certainly not a new concept, but La Montaña Mágica (The Magic Mountain) Hotel is not just another hotel. Located within the Huilo Huilo Private Natural Reserve, Chile, it is without a doubt one of most unique hotels in South America. This whimsical eco-lodge is shaped like a volcano and complete with every modern comfort, and features cascading water that covers the exterior, giving it a fairy-tale like look. Makes you imagine encountering some character out of Lord of the Rings saga. Read the rest of this entry »