1. Location
Alto Atacama’s stunning location in the Catarpe Valley, at the source of the San Pedro River and surrounded by the Salt Mountains, is just 3.5 kilometers from the village square. This secluded setting protects the hotel from all light and sound contamination and allows our guests an incomparable view of the Atacama night skies as well as the silence needed in order to contemplate and feel the beauty of the Altiplano.
For those who wish to visit and explore the village, we offer a free shuttle service leaving the hotel at regular intervals.
2. Architecture
Every detail of the architecture and design of the Alto Atacama is inspired by the natural and cultural elements of the Altiplano, the contrasts between light and shadow in the desert and the inherent textures found around us. Our hotel is a microcosm of its environment: it comes from and acts as a natural extension of its geographical surroundings. At every stage of construction we prioritized an efficient system of thermal insulation that retains the heat in the winter and keeps all 42 rooms cool in the summer without the use of air conditioning.
3. Andean Parkscape
Our Andean Parkscape is made up of more than 15 gardens and hidden corners designed to preserve the beauty of the Altiplanic flora and fauna. The hotel sits on 7.5 acres, a rarity in this area, where the influence of the convergence of all three neighboring mountain ranges can be seen clearly: the Salt, Domeyko and Andes mountains.
The grounds invite guests to lounge in the shade of the native algarrobo trees, wander through vegetable patches and past the llama corral, observe the birds who visit the hotel’s Tilo lagoon to bathe and refresh themselves, enjoy the large earthenware vessels inspired by the traditional Incan baths or watch from a stone bench as the moon comes up from behind the mountains.
4. Peace and Quiet
One of the guiding philosophies behind the Alto Atacama is the belief in the importance of truly disconnecting from every day life and plugging into the natural world.
At the Alto Atacama we have intentionally created spaces for our guests to enjoy moments of privacy and solitude: terraces overlooking the San Pedro River, the quiet gardens, winding paths, swimming pools inspired by the natural hot springs found in the area. We have worked hard to provide a variety of spaces that leave room for contemplation and interaction with the desert.
5. Pools and Spa
The Puri Spa and our six outdoor pools play an integral role in our Andean Parkscape, as does the hotel itself, as a continuation of our Altiplanic surroundings.
Named one of the Top 8 Spas in Latin America and the Best in Chile by Spa Finder, the Puri Spa sits partially underground in the center of the property, providing shade and refuge from the hot desert sun. Spa goers can choose from treatments based on traditional ingredients and techniques used in the region for centuries such as the Altiplanic mud wrap or the Quinoa Facial, as well as the more familiar sauna, Turkish baths and Jacuzzi.
The swimming pools, inspired by the natural hot springs found in the area, were designed to provide our guests with an intimate space and a connection to the natural world.
6. Rooms
Our generously sized rooms were also designed with the desert experience in mind. Built using all local construction materials and textiles, all 42 rooms have an air of simple elegance. Each room has a spacious private terrace with insurmountable views of the Andean Parkscape, the Tilo Laguna, the San Pedro River and the Salt Mountains beyond.
Our rooms are decorated in dark, subtle color schemes to allow guests to rest their eyes after being exposed to the strong sunlight outside, and the adobe and other materials used in construction provides a thermal insulation so effective that air conditioning is unnecessary.
7. Observatory
The Alto Atacama is the only hotel in the region with an open-air observatory, located atop one of the hills that branches off the Salt Mountains surrounding the hotel. Six recliners and a telescope with 26mm and 12.5 mm lenses grant guests access to the stars, planets, constellations, galaxies and nebulas in some of the clearest skies in the world.
8. Sustainability
Preserving the environment and the culture that welcomed Alto Atacama in the first place is of utmost importance to us. Our efforts in this area have been recognized by a “Sello S,” granted by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to properties that comply with economic, environmental and socio-cultural sustainability practices. Every year we award study scholarships to children from the Quitor and San Pedro communities and we use authorized local distributors or production plants whenever possible
Alto Atacama is also known in the community as a constant and reliable source of employment and as a preserver of the environment and local traditions.
