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
Best time to go
The main season runs from November to April - the Chilean spring/summer, when all activities are possible. It's also worth visiting in autumn, when it's still very beautiful for simply relaxing and hiking. The small ski resort being built on the volcano means that even winter brings its own draw. The area is prone to rain all year but is wettest in July and driest between January and March. The maximum temperatures in summer are around 20C, though sometimes it can reach 28C; the minimum is around 8C. In winter, the maximum is about 12C, even reaching 16C, and the minimum can drop to 3C.
Our top tips
Make sure you take a boat to one of the islands in the centre of the emerald green lake - if nothing else, it gives you a spectacular view of the volcano and waterfalls cutting through rocks and forest, and it’s a pretty memorable place for a picnic. Or take the ferry boat from Petrohue to Peulla at the other end of the lake - from where you can walk up to a stunning waterfall or along the picturesque road to Bariloche through alpine meadows.
- Boutique Hotel
- 20 rooms and 4 cabins
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pools
- Sauna
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
- Laundry Service
Rooms
The 20 rooms in the recently built hotel are simple, modern and cosy, with lots of wood, thick duvets, carpets and large windows with views of the lake, volcano or river. Ensuite bathrooms throughout are small and functional, with white-tiled floors and pine fittings; all have a bath and a shower with plenty of hot water and decent pressure.
Families, groups or those who prefer more privacy and independence should consider one of the 4 wooden lakeside cabins, which sleep from 4 to 8 people. They're good value, so even if there are just 2 of you it can work out cheaper than staying in the hotel. All have 2 or 3 ensuite bedrooms (a double, a twin and in some cases a triple), a living/dining room, and a kitchen.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- WiFi
Eating
After a day of outdoor activity, unwind with a pre-dinner drink in the light and airy sitting room, where large wooden sofas with plump cushions encircle a crackling log fire and a huge coffee table made from half a tree trunk. Then head into the restaurant for a bite to eat. Here too you'll find a large open fire, fresh flowers, stripped wooden flooring and fine views through the huge glass windows.
The food is simple fare rather than inspirational gourmet cuisine. Dishes on the daily menu might include soup, avocado stuffed with chicken mayonnaise and smoked salmon, followed by chicken curry, stroganoff, or the ever popular Chilean dish of steak topped by eggs - plus the highly recommended chef’s salad, a combination of almost everything you can think of. Breakfast is a selection of bread, cookies, cakes, jam, cheese, fresh fruits, tea, coffee, juice and scrambled eggs. There aren't any other restaurants in Petrohue so we recommend booking the inexpensive half-board plan.
If you're staying in one of the 4 cabins, you can either eat in the hotel or self-cater. Each has its own kitchen equipped with an oven, a fridge, cooking utensils and a dining table. There's a small shop in Petrohue selling vegetables etc, but it's not always open and we recommend that you stock up with provisions in Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas on the way.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
Activities
- Enjoy watersports on the lake - windsurfing, fun-boarding and lasers (water-skiing can also be arranged), with tuition available
- Go hiking with a guide - there are no roads around Lago Todos los Santos but there are numerous trails through the ancient forests of the surrounding Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for a puma (there may also be a pet puma which will pose obligingly for photos!); plus Pudu, Coipos, beavers, foxes and forest monkeys
- There are well-marked paths to the Osorno volcano and the brave-hearted can try trekking up a snow-covered mountain to its peak. The expeditions centre can also arrange a number of guided treks lasting from 3 hours to several days
- Trout and salmon fishing are excellent on the lake and the surrounding rivers. One of the most magical moments in my life was fly-fishing here on a summer's day, alongside an azure-coloured stream, and discovering an old homestead producing milk and honey, hidden away from the rest of the world
- Try canyoning - for adrenaline seekers, an increasingly popular new angle from which to view the surroundings, making your way down narrow gorges by abseiling down alongside waterfalls and jumping into the crystal-clear pools below
- The Petrohue river offers kayakers 2 different levels of rapids (II and III), whilst the turquoise waters of Lago Todos Los Santos are ideal for sea-kayaking
- The river also offers white-water rafting on class II and III rapids, to the impressive backdrop of mountains and volcanoes
- You can also try rock climbing, largely centred around a natural 15m rock wall with 6 routes for different levels, with tuition available
- Horse riding is available 15km away, but worth the trip if you take an extended ride. The ride up to the Del Caliente waterfall, with spectacular views of the Calbulco volcano en route, followed by a well-earned dip in the waterfall, is particularly recommended
- Bird-watching is excellent here - twitchers will have a field-day amongst this scenery, with myriad species flitting amongst the trees and soaring above the slopes
- In late March and early April, search out the salmon trying to leap the smaller waterfalls downstream from the Petrohue Falls - a somewhat smaller-scale version of those famed Alaskan runs, but an interesting spectacle for any wildlife (and fishing) enthusiasts nevertheless
- Ease away the excesses of the day in the hot springs of Callao and Río Blanco
- It's also possible to ski on the volcano, a small resort with 3 chairlifts
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Canyoning
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Rafting
- Sailing
- Trekking
- Wildlife
- Windsurfing
Kids
Children are welcome (extra beds cost the same as for adults), and are likely to enjoy the activities on offer, especially slightly older ones. The cabins with their self-catering facilities are ideal for families.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel Petrohue is situated in the heart of Vicente Perez Rosales National Park in Chile's Lake District, 90km from Puerto Montt.
By Air:
Puerto Montt (90km away) is the nearest airport. If you're coming from abroad, you'll fly into Santiago's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez airport. From here you can make the domestic connection. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer from Puerto Montt airport, or you can take a taxi.
By Bus:
You can catch a local bus from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas to Petrohue, then ask the hotel to collect you from there. Allow about 1.5-2 hours for the bus journey (they run 3 times daily).
By Coach:
If you'd prefer to travel overland from Santiago to see more of the country, catch a coach. These are cheap and comfortable, and Cruz del Sur coaches make the trip from Santiago to Puerto Montt daily (about 13 hours).
By Car:
If you'd prefer to hire a car and drive from Santiago to the hotel, see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Chile and getting around
Airports:
- Puerto Montt 90.0 km PMC
Other:
- Beach 70.0 km
- Shops 65.0 km
- Restaurant 15.0 km