HOTEL AWA, AFFORDABLE LUXURY

the moment you step foot into AWA, you are overcome with a feeling of chic, that also manages to feel incredibly welcoming and cozy. this family owned project has been in the works for over 10 years and only opened its doors to guests less than a year ago. for a long time they wanted to open a family oriented bnb, but after researching the local market realized that historic wooden lodges were a plenty. a modern cabin meets boutique hotel, though, would be extremely unique and special to the region. their astute attention to detail stands out as they seem to have found the perfect balance of architectural design with the comfort of a friend's home. they've thought of everything in between too. from the handmade pisco goblets to the rustic yet comfortable furniture, perfectly situated fireplaces, ever-so-hip drink coasters and one of the most intriguing coffee table book collections i've ever seen. immediately after checking in, i found myself questioning if we should add another night.

tucked on the shores of the vast llanquihue lake with incredible views of volcano osorno, staying here is a very special experience. everything is built and crafted with luxury in mind, but we felt right at home in shorts and flip flops. stepping out the back door of the hotel, you feel as if you've crossed into a far away land - black sand beaches, sparking blue water and a snow capped volcano in the horizon. it's no surprise that after all the deliberation they chose to build AWA on one of the most beautiful stretches of chile's lakes region, showcasing the natural beauty that is almost taken for granted around here.

YOU REALLY HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED

we didn't leave the property once during our 3 day visit, because you really don't have to. that being said, there are many adventures to be had in the area which AWA can easily arrange for you. with their high quality culinary experience, a complete spa with full lap pool & jacuzzi, a private beach down at the lake, SUP boards and kayaks to use at your leisure...adventure or relaxation, whichever you seek, their location allows you to have privacy and find tranquility. 

DETAILS:

WHERE: puertos varas, chile
TIME OF YEAR: march - april [perfect weather, i'd recommend beating the heat and coming in the fall!] 
HOW TO GET THERE: 2 hour flight from santiago to puerto montt (PMC) airport
PRICE PER NIGHT: starts around $200 per night with breakfast (the best!) included
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE: kayaking, SUPing, swimming (lake and lap pool), full spa, biking, hiking, and other outdoor excursions.

THE ROOMS ARE PERFECT AND COME WITH A VIEW

with floor to ceiling windows, authentic local decor, cozy bedding and a bathroom you want to live in – the rooms are hard to leave. and there's no fear of getting a "bad room" – as everyone is situated with essentially the same view. we would start the mornings with coffee in bed, followed by an afternoon cocktail at our corner table. i notice so often that when we stay at hotels we never spend *that* much time in the room. this time, we wanted to change that. 
 

THE FOOD WAS HANDS DOWN THE BEST WE HAD IN CHILE

we could not get enough of the food here. even if you're not staying at the hotel, no problem – their restaurant and bar are completely open to the public. they have fostered direct relationships with the fisherman, farmers and other producers in the region. if they can't get fresh salmon that day, then it won't be on the menu. this region of chile is rich in diversity and abundance of great food from the land. here's what an average day [food wise] looks like:

breakfast: included with your stay, fresh yogurt, juices and fruit, granola, pastries, eggs to your liking, pancakes [if you want!]
lunch: not included with your stay, served on the patio if the weather is nice and is usually consists with a salad or starter and a main course. about $30–50 USD [will let the pictures speak for us here!]
dinner: not included with your stay, served in the dining room and the menu changes each night based on the fresh ingredients available. about $30–50 USD
 

^^ we also celebrated my 29th birthday here and this delicious little cake was on our bed when we arrived back from dinner. 

                                                                           * this stay was part of a collaboration, all opinions are my own. 

Y O U  M I G H T  A L S O  L I K E: