One high point of our travels was in the lake district of central Chile. We visit the stunning Hotel Antumalal, a Bauhaus hotel beautifully maintained over the last 75 years outside of Pucon, Chile. Propped on a hillside, the clean modern lines of the stark building bridge a rushing stream. Gardens are carefully maintained, whether they create a color trim along the stone paved driveways, line the grass paths or thrive in a cutting garden beside the large greenhouse . This is a destination our friend Janice remembers and she wants to be sure we revisit with her. (Well marked on the east/west road).
Without a reservation, staff do not hesitate to encourage us to walk about as a guest. The front entryway is a room of natural wood with a tree log crafted into a countertop. The adjacent sitting room overlooks the expansive Lago Villarrica with clear \ vistas of the snow capped cone of the Villarrica volcano (still smoking after the eruption a year ago!). Each of the interior sitting rooms are odd shaped spaces filled with furniture built to enhance the experience of a part of the natural (inside or outside?) environment. The lamps are made of tree branches, the walls are covered in huge pieces of local trees ( cipris, coigue and one called the monkey tree or the araucana). The rugs are cowhides – I think from Argentina. The arcing sofa is steel rods with woven rope that makes a geometric pattern. Simple, and in striking contrast to the rectangular window panes that frame the views of trees and mountains formations outside. Bauhaus!
The hotel was designed by Chilean architect Jorge Elton in the late 30’s for the Pollack’s, a Czech family, In the hallways, we glance at photographs of the family. They created this place on what was considered to be useless property as it was too steep for farming. They gave the place a Mapuche name. Antumalal means “corral in the sun”.
Only steps away from the patio, ibis are pecking on the lawn, and abundant bird life enjoy hillsides of luscious gardens. Lapwing. Carracarra. Swallows. And ducks in the lake below. A beach lies at the end of a steep pathway – I can see a couple enjoying their “privacy”!
The owner of the property is now in her 60’s. Her parents built this icon and her efforts to successfully maintain the 22 room hotel are in evidence. A spa was created five years ago. I promise myself I must return to stay.
These pictures are from the Hotel Antumalal website.
The meals here are reasonably priced and excellent! Service was impeccable!
Sunset over Lake Villarrica from the hotel restaurant.
And from my camera, too.
Follow us 