Hotel Petrohue

Cosy hotel and wooden cabins set below a snow-capped volcano on the shores of Lago Todos Los Santos, one of Chile's most beautiful lakes, with lots of outdoor activities

Situated between the towering outline of the Osorno volcano and a blue-green slice of Lago Todos Los Santos (fed by glacial rivers and waterfalls), the setting alone is enough to draw people to this hotel. Deep in Chile’s oldest national park, Vincente Perez Rosales, the drive over volcanic overspill and alongside the tumbling turquoise waters of the Petrohue river leads to a clearing in virgin forest by the lakeshore, wherein stands the 20-room Hotel Petrohue and 4 lakeside cabins.

After a fire in 2002 the hotel was completely rebuilt in wood and stone, and now resembles a large Alpine chalet. Simple but comfortable interiors continue the theme, with a warm combination of pale wood, open fires and fine views of the lake, mountains and forest offering a taste of what lies beyond. And once inspired (it won’t take long), simply step outside amongst this serene natural setting and into the hotel’s Expediciones centre, from where, with everything from climbing to canyoning, the adventure really begins.

Highs

• The setting, even when it rains, is truly spectacular
• Hiding away in your own wooden cabin
• Canyoning down beside a rushing waterfall, high on adrenaline as the spray coats you, to finally make it back down to earth and dive into the pool below
• Fly-fishing in crystal-clear azure rivers on the south side of the lake - one of my most memorable experiences in 20 years of travelling
• At the end of an exhilarating day, taking a dip in the indoor/outdoor swimming pool and curling up by the crackling fire

Lows

• Rain showers are a regular feature for most of the year; sun-seekers should go during the summer months (December-March)
• In December and January watch out for large horse flies, known as Tabanos, and throngs of tourists making the lake crossing on their way to Bariloche, Argentina