The word breathtaking can be overused — unless you are talking about the natural beauty of South America. It’s impossible not to gasp at the first sight of wild Patagonia, or the Andes rising far above the clouds, or the wonder that is Machu Picchu. How fortunate that these places are also home to some of the most spectacular resorts in the world.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.
Last year’s No. 1 choice, Singular Patagonia, set in the town of Puerto Bories, Chile, slipped to No. 4. The LEED-certified hotel has 57 guest rooms encased in glass, showcasing Last Hope Sound and snow-peaked mountains. It’s the perfect jumping-off point for those who want to do some trekking in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, yet still crave a little civilization. But some of our readers were up for something more adventurous. At the nearby EcoCamp Patagonia, which is in the park itself, guests sleep in geodesic domes that have low-emission woodstoves. One reader wrote, “I love that EcoCamp Patagonia promotes sustainable tourism, and they share their knowledge of the land…their food and staff are amazing. Truly one of the best places I have traveled to.” Another added, “The care taken to preserve the environment at the camp was inspired. The guides were intrepid. The service was impeccable. The rooms were part yurt, part luxury hotel.”
For those who would rather not have the association of “camp” when it comes to their luxury outposts, this year’s No. 1 choice, Cavas Wine Lodge, in Argentina’s Mendoza wine region, is sure to impress. And the Sacred Valley’s Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, offers a private train to Machu Picchu, along with a spa, fitness center, and spectacular indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Read on for more on Cavas Wine Lodge and to see the rest of the winners.
1. Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina
Score: 98.22
Situated on a 55-acre vineyard in the wine region of Mendoza, this boutique hotel has a heralded farm-to-table restaurant, a blissful spa, and an exclusive atmosphere that allows guests to suspend belief that anyone else has visited before them. Honeymooners and couples, take note: each of the 18 rooms has a private plunge pool, a wood-burning fireplace, an outdoor shower, and uninterrupted views of the Andes. “One of those very special places you will never forget,” as one reader weighed in, adding, “We were pampered and taken care of in a fashion we had never before experienced.”
