Fodor's Expert Review Tierra Atacama

This stylish hotel has an imaginative take on design, services, and excursions to give it a touch of luxury and originality without losing that atacameño feel, or respect for local places, people, and traditions. Cool stone-floored rooms featuring private terraces and open-air showers overlooking volcanoes, mountain ranges, and aromatic gardens ensure private enjoyment of the wilderness, while the wide-open reception-area-cum-bar and restaurant invite you to share tales of rugged adventure with fellow travelers. The spa has a picture-perfect infinity pool dropping into pampa grass with Volcán Lincancabur in the distance, and steam rooms, bubble beds in the heated indoor pool, and exclusive outdoor hot tubs that complete the water experience. Excursions are well organized, never run above eight people (although are usually closer to two to four people) and take a slightly different twist on the classics: visiting the Valle de Luna during the empty morning hours, cycling to the stunning lagoons with a picnic next to the water’s edge, and walking under fabulous moonlight through the Valle de la Muerte with a local band serenading you under the stars. The food, which is included in the rates, along with tours, spa, and bar, is excellent and incorporates local cuisine as well as international favorites to keep everyone happy. Dishes are served alongside great biodynamic wines from San Antonio.