Activities are the special sauce here: Trekking through woodlands, visiting small farming communities to shop their produce markets, getting behind the scenes of restoration projects underway at UNESCO-protected wooden churches; sailing the waters off Chiloé in the hotel’s private yacht.Condé Nast Traveler
The native peoples of Chiloé saw their first colonizers when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. In all, humans have lived on the archipelago for more than 7,000 years, making it an area as rich in culture and mythology as it is in natural resources.Pavia Rosati Fathom
The friendly staff at Tierra Chiloé (now Refugia Chiloé) have honed the art of opening up less obvious sights, taking guests on boat trips to see UNESCO-listed wooden churches and to remote islands to meet local communities.The Times, UK
Tierra Chiloé (now Refugia Chiloé) not only has its own horses, but also its own traditionally-built boat – Williche – which chugs guests to visit the other smaller islands dotted around the Chiloé coast. You can also enjoy local walks or use the hotels bikes to explore the rolling coastal landscape for yourself.Sarah Gordon The Telegraph
Well off the beaten track but accessible through an excellent private vehicle service or a local flight in Chile, this gem awaits the savvy travellers wanting pampering mixed with excursions embracing scenery, local culture and nature – birds and other wildlife.Don Past Guest of Refugia Chiloé
The archipelago of Chiloé is composed of one large island and several smaller islands and islets. For millions of years the Pacific Ocean has surrounded, pounded, and smoothed out Chiloé’s shorelines, peninsulas, fjords, marshes and bays. Today as yesterday, the biodiversity is robust with plants, animals, migratory birds and sea life all wildly thriving. At Refugia Chiloé our guides will traverse the land and sea with you to help you understand this lively habitat and ecosystem so that you absolutely love your luxury vacation.
The iconic Williche boat is a centerpiece of your luxury vacation at Refugia Chiloé. Locally hand-built, the much-loved Williche allows guests to travel like the locals and appreciate the islands, shores, waters and sea life while enjoying the on-board comforts of the lovely Williche. Delicious seafood is caught, prepared and served onboard, including sea urchins and premium Chilean oysters, freshly shucked. The freshness and flavors are sublime.
Refugia Chiloé enables you to encounter the pristine beauty and rich culture of Chiloé, offering a range of excursions from a luxury base to create an enriching connection with this remote destination.
The following represents a sample experience over four nights. Many factors influence the delivered itinerary, including length of stay, arrival and departure times, weather conditions and seasonality. Any special arrangements made at the hotel will be choreographed by our team and your itinerary customised.
Arrive at Refugia Chiloé to a warm welcome – and a signature cocktail lesson! Learn about our local ingredients and sample some of our barman’s creations including the Nalca Sour and Ulmo Sour – a unique drink of Chilean pisco and local Ulmo honey.
After a hearty lunch, paddle out for an unforgettable kayak journey to Rilán, tracing the path of Jesuit missionaries and spotting birdlife and dolphins on the way. Visit the World Heritage listed church on Rilán and enjoy a walk through town before returning to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, take a moment to unwind in your room overlooking the sea. Head to the bar terrace for cocktail hour and enjoy exquisite appetizers with wine or drinks. Move to the dining room to enjoy the Chef’s incredible menus and creations. After dinner sit by the living room fireplace and enjoy.
Enjoy our breakfast buffet and then embark on an unforgettable adventure by land and sea to Quinchao Island for a great adventure – the heart of Chiloé and known for its vibrant culture, traditional shingled buildings, farms and the oldest UNESCO World Heritage listed church.
The visit is a unique opportunity to meet local farmers and producers of the region, and learn the traditions behind their bountiful produce. Sail back to the hotel on the Williche and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch onboard, the perfect culinary epilogue to the day’s outing.
As the day turns to night, visit the warm cocoon that is our luxury spa – nestled beneath the hotel with views of the wildlife-rich wetlands. Let the masseuse ease your muscles or give you a facial. Enjoy the pools, the sauna and the steam, or stretch out on the loungers.
After breakfast, go to explore Castro, Chiloé Island’s vibrant capital city. This is a captivating cultural tour. Discover the colourful traditional stilt houses, the marvelous central church and bustling craft markets.
Take a quiet afternoon around the hotel and enjoy a guided walk around our grounds to collect organic vegetables grown in our orchards and greenhouse, including native hazelnut, nalca and rosehip along with Chilote potatoes and garlic.
End your magical day by enjoying the hotel living room and its warm ambiance of refuge from the elements. Choose from one of Chile’s finest wines to complement the incredible cuisine prepared by our chef. Repair to the lounge for a digestif by the fire.
Enjoy the breakfast then climb aboard the Williche to sail to the beautiful island of Chelin to see its charming streets, neoclassical church and fascinating cemetery.
Sail further to Quehui Island via the calm waters of the Pindo Estuary, the perfect location for kayaking, Zodiac cruises or scenic bike rides. Your choice! Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch aboard the Williche on the scenic return journey.
As evening falls, join other guests on the bar terrace for cocktails and local guitar music. It’s curanto night and it is about to be ready after having cooked all afternoon in the ground. This is an ancient recipe, something like a clambake, but Chilote style made with local mussels, clams, chickens, sausages and potatoes.. We know you’ll enjoy it!
After a leisurely breakfast, savor the last moments of your luxury vacation at Refugia Chiloé by enjoying a self-guided walk and the invigorating sea breeze while taking in the picturesque sea views one last time.
A chance to take final pictures, say goodbyes to our team (and possibly plan your return visit!) before transfer to the airport and departure. We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay with us
The following represents an indicative experience over five nights. Many factors influence the delivered itinerary, including length of stay, arrival and departure times, weather conditions and seasonality. Any special arrangements made at the hotel will be choreographed by our team and your itinerary customised to ensure the very best experience of both hotel and destination.
Arrive at Refugia Chiloé to a warm welcome – and a signature cocktail lesson! Savor a Nalca Sour or Ulmo Sour and learn about their local ingredients, before settling in to your room and taking a moment to appreciate that the view out your window is spectacular.
After a delicious lunch, saddle up and explore ancient trails on a horseback riding trip, with our seasoned guides. Gain a unique perspective of the countryside that only an adventure on horseback can offer.
As the day draws to a close, visit our luxury spa or head to the outdoor fireplace terrace for an aperitif with a view. Then head in to enjoy a fabulous dinner featuring the rich produce of Chiloé’s fishermen and farmers, along with vegetables harvested from Refugia’s own gardens.
After breakfast, set out for a full day trek to Chepu. Starting at picturesque Duhatao Bay, traverse the twisting coastal cliffs as they merge into deep forest. Explore the islet of Aulen before setting sail upstream with rewarding views of the Sunken Forest.
As evening falls, enjoy a glass of one of Chile’s finest wines or our signature cocktails at the bar terrace. It’s Curanto night. Enjoy local guitar music while the Curanto is being removed from the hot stone underground cooking pit, an ancient tradition. Move to the dining room for full service of this delicious meal.
After an epicurean breakfast with freshly-made breads and pastries, climb aboard the Williche to sail to the beautiful island of Chelin to explore its charming streets, neoclassical church and fascinating cemetery.
Sail further to the center of Quehui Island via the calm waters of the Pindo Estuary, the perfect location for kayaking, Zodiac cruises or scenic bike rides. Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch aboard the Williche on the scenic return journey.
Pre-dinner, go to the spa and swim in the infinity pool while watching the sun set over the wetlands. An early night spent in the cosy refuge of your room is a perfectly acceptable way to recharge for tomorrow’s adventures!
Head out early to explore Castro, Chiloé Island’s vibrant capital city, on this captivating cultural tour. Discover the beating heart of Chiloé with its colourful traditional stilt houses, grand churches, bustling craft markets and local community.
After a day of discovery, head to Refugia’s luxury Spa for a restorative treatment, sauna or deep soak with a view. Indulge in a hearty dinner, relishing the flavors of Chiloé as night falls, before heading back to your cosy suite.
Following breakfast, embark on an unforgettable adventure by land and sea to Quinchao Island – the heart of Chiloé known for its vibrant culture, traditional shingled buildings and the oldest UNESCO World Heritage listed church.
The afternoon brings a unique opportunity to meet local farmers and producers of the region, eager to share the traditions behind their bountiful produce. Sail back to the hotel and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch onboard the Williche, the perfect culinary epilogue to the day’s outing.
Swap stories and snapshots with fellow guests and staff before enjoying a final celebration of local produce while watching nightfall over the inland sea. Retire to the fireside for a final digestif.
After a leisurely breakfast, savor the last moments of your luxury vacation at Refugia Chiloé on a self-guided walk, find a cosy corner in the lounge to reflect on your adventures, or head out to the terrace to drink in the picturesque coastal views one last time.
A chance to take final pictures, say goodbyes (and possibly to plan your return visit!) before transfer to the airport and departure. We hope to welcome you back soon!
The Chiloé Archipelago bursts into bloom in spring, refreshes with cool sea breezes in summer and welcomes migratory birds making their annual pilgrimage every fall. A cool temperate oceanic climate brings mild year-round temperatures with regular rainfall.
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A dynamic environmental management plan featuring advanced technologies steers lodge operations and ultimately enhances each guest's experience.
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Refugia Chiloé is located on Chiloé Island in the Chiloé Archipelago, off the coast of Northern Patagonia. Chile’s capital city, Santiago is the country’s main international gateway, welcoming flights from Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
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