For clients headed to Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is often on the must-visit list, thanks to its wide expanses of stunning, untouched nature and myriad opportunities for outdoor adventure. And while the region is particularly well known for hiking and trekking, the Las Torres reserve also offers more approachable ways to interact with this unique environment, thanks to the Hotel Las Torres, located within the park itself.
The hotel offers an all-inclusive experience (from dining and drinks to tours and activities) from a privileged position within the park, serving as a comfortable basecamp from which to explore. (Las Torres also operates cabins, hostels and campgrounds for more adventurous travelers.)
“This family-owned reserve has operated the last 30 years with a generational mission of regenerative travel and preserving rich Patagonian culture through authentic experiences and sustainable tourism,” explained Juan López, director of sales and marketing/commercial manager of Las Torres. “Our commitment is to be a world-class sustainable destination in Chilean Patagonia, serving as the starting point for magical adventures and connection with nature."
Now, ahead of the 2024-2025 season, the hotel is unveiling a guestroom renovation, new on-site experiences for guests and other improvements.
“At Las Torres Patagonia, we are constantly renovating and making improvements to our facilities and services, whether it's restoring trails, developing new excursions and programs or taking our infrastructure to the next level,” López said.
Here, he shares more of what travelers can expect on a visit to the refreshed property.
For those who don’t yet know Las Torres, tell us a bit about what you do.
We offer a wide range of accommodations in different geographical locations within Torres del Paine National Park, each suited to specific interests and experiences.
Hotel Las Torres offers 74 rooms for those seeking the comforts of a hotel, while the reserve’s four lodge, cabin and camping options provide a closer connection to nature and the beauty of Patagonia for those seeking a bit more adventure. Our unique experiences rescue the traditions of our ranch roots and captivate guests with stories of our baqueanos [cowboys] and collaborators.
Juan López, director of sales and marketing/commercial manager of Las Torres
Credit: 2024 Las Torres PatagoniaWe understand that visiting Torres del Paine is synonymous with trekking and adventure, so we have developed a wide range of experiences for all tastes, from hiking tours accompanied by our bilingual guides to horseback riding with some of our nearly 200 horses and express tours that take our guests to different points of the reserve with our transportation service.
Our unique experiences rescue the traditions of our ranch roots and captivate guests with stories of our baqueanos [cowboys] and collaborators.
What can you tell us about the recent hotel renovations, and what is still to come?
This season, our rooms will have a new face, a concept that is defined as “contemporary Patagonia.” It’s a renovation that we have been working on for some time and that we will finally be able to see completed for the 2024-2025 season.
The lobby of Hotel Las Torres
Credit: 2024 Las Torres Patagonia[After] the rooms, we will move forward with the common areas, the Coiron restaurant and our Pioneer Bar. We will also continue working … on the reconstruction of the trail to Base Torres. Last season, we completed 80% of the trail on the hotel grounds and expect to reach completion within the next year.
When the hotel opens for the season on Oct. 1, how will the rooms have changed?
The team, led by Chilean architect Pedro Kovacic and interior designer Enrique Concha, has redefined the design of the rooms with a new decorative line, rethinking both spaces and surfaces. Porcelain tile has been chosen for the floors, a material that reflects the chromatic range and texture characteristic of Torres del Paine.
New design features of the guestrooms include wood with contemporary micro-ribbing (behind the bed), locally inspired linens and warm lighting.
Credit: 2024 Las Torres PatagoniaThe bathrooms are also part of the renovation, replacing the traditional bathtubs with glass-door showers. The walls will be covered with porcelain tile and equipped with fixtures that achieve a timeless balance, combining elements of the past with details that point to the future.
When contemplating the sunset, the herd of horses or the local flora through the window, guests will feel that their room is a sanctuary in the middle of untamed Patagonia.
The design of the rooms is meant to blend in with the surroundings, creating a space that does not compete with the majesty of the landscape, but rather serves as a cozy refuge for travelers after a long day exploring the park. When contemplating the sunset, the herd of horses or the local flora through the window, guests will feel that their room is a sanctuary in the middle of untamed Patagonia.
How else will the guest experience change this season?
This season promises to be one of the best we have ever had. Not only have we renovated our rooms, but we have also developed a new welcome kit for our all-inclusive guests … including a backpack made from 100% recycled plastic, an aluminum bottle for guests to take on their explorations in the park and a dry bag to carry clothes that get wet due to sudden rains.
In addition, our kitchen and bar team is developing new items for the menu, with food and beverages designed to delight the most demanding palates and leave a memorable impression on all our visitors.
New menu items are in development for the hotel's restaurant and its bar.
Credit: 2024 Las Torres PatagoniaThis year, we will also welcome the first guests of the W Express + program. The W Circuit [for hiking] is a favorite experience for those who visit the Torres del Paine National Park, and … this program is designed to provide a complete experience in the different types of accommodations that Las Torres Patagonia has, with each stage offering unforgettable moments.
What else should travel advisors and their clients know about the property?
Both our bar and restaurant stand out for their sustainable initiatives. Bar Pionero has developed a series of proposals that help reduce waste, such as eliminating plastic light bulbs, recycling glass bottles and transforming them into cups and working with our bio-intensive garden to compost organic waste.
Coiron Restaurant is not far behind either; for this season, we are working on biomaterials — products made with waste that normally ends up in the garbage — such as eggshells, which will be ground and transformed into the base for ceramics. Also, some vegetable waste will be used to make vinegars and jams, initiatives that bring us closer to a circular economy.
As for the team behind Las Torres Patagonia, I am happy to tell you that we are working on a school of service excellence to take our service to the next level, developing skills and abilities that will continue to enhance our guests' experience.
Without a doubt, the 2024-2025 season will be the perfect time to stay at Las Torres Patagonia.