andBeyond Vira Vira

Located on a working farm and dairy, this lodge, which sits on the shores of the Liucura River surrounded by acres of parkland, will satisfy travelers looking for adventure and comfort.

• The restaurant, which takes farm to table extremely literally
• An activity list with options that number into the dozens—expert guides and some gear included
• The views of lakes, rivers and the perfect cone of Volcano Villarrica throughout the property

Known (among South Americans, at least) as Chile’s adventure playground, with mountains and lakes galore, Pucón is strangely not yet on North Americans’ radar. This is beginning to change with the arrival of Vira Vira just outside this resort town, (summer home of many Chilean notables) in Chile’s Lake District, the northern gateway to Patagonia.

This andBeyond property offers six suites in the main building, 12 split-level villa suites and a five-bedroom hacienda for families or larger groups. The hotel is constructed of sustainably harvested local wood and is decorated with locally made textiles, furniture and artwork. Rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows that show off the picturesque surroundings. Rounding out the comforts are wood fire–heated hot tubs, a small (but nicely appointed) gym and a cabin for massages and yoga classes.

Mealtimes are undoubtedly one of the main highlights of the lodge. The menu is all about being healthy and sustainable: onsite there is a 100-acre farm that produces 45,000 pounds of grains for homemade bread and pastries, all sorts of fruits and vegetables, yogurt and delicious cheese, honey and meats from turkey to wild boar.

As delectable as the hotel’s meals are, they are just the bookends to a day at Vira Vira. Once settled in, guests are usually taken on a gentle rafting trip down the Liucurá River, to slow down, and take in the silent natural surroundings. Once relaxation has been achieved, guests are encouraged to rev back up, meeting with high-octane guides every afternoon to choose the next day’s adventure: Chilean-style riding with a former Olympic trainer, hiking to see 1,000-year-old monkey-puzzle trees, whitewater rafting down one of the most iconic rivers in Chile, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, fishing or farm tours, all of which are included in the rates. And for those looking for even more adrenaline, ask the team about options such as via ferrata and canyoning, helicopter rides or even ascending to the top of the Villarrica Volcano. A week could easily pass without running out of activities: boredom is simply not possible.

Sybarites with a taste for adventure—or adventurous travelers of all ages who still enjoy their creature comforts.