Tierra Atacama, the all-inclusive, eco-friendly luxury desert lodge hotel just outside the village of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile has announced its $12 million refresh, which will thoroughly upgrade the hotel interiors, furniture, as well as debut eight new suites. To be revealed in 2025, the renovation-which will commence on April 1, 2024, is an effort to refresh furnishings while prioritising the hotel’s commitment to sustainability, through its sourcing and selection of furniture, fabrics, and continued support of the local community. Tierra Atacama will be closed for the remainder of 2024.
Tierra Atacama originally opened in January 2008 on the edge of the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Built around a centuries-old cattle coral, Tierra Atacama was originally created by architects Rodrigo Searle and Matias Gonnzález, using traditional adobe walls and rammed earth, allowing the hotel to enfold into its surrounding landscape. Interior designers Carolina Delpiano and Alexandra Edwards took inspiration from the local communities around San Pedro to hand-pick and curate decor with artifacts, stone carvings, hand-painted maps, handwoven blankets from village weavers, and more. An all-inclusive lodge, Tierra Atacama features activities such as bike riding, hiking, horseback riding, astrotourism, and more, in addition to various wellness experiences and locally inspired treatments at Uma Spa.
The hotel’s mission to minimise its impact on the environment is exhibited by its sustainability strategy, which includes efforts of renewable and solar energy, protecting national resourcing, overseeing waste management, and continuing to keep strong relationships with the local communities. In addition, Tierra Atacama preserves the archaeological elements of the region as a key cultural sustainability measure.
Perched 16,000+ feet above sea level, Atacama is the driest desert in the world, and encompasses canyons, hot springs, dunes, as well as salt flats. A popular destination amongst tourists and backpackers, travelers partake in adventure sports-such as hiking up volcanoes and dunes-or soothing their muscles in mountaintop mineral springs. It is also home to a myriad of historical and geological sights, such as dune-peaked Valle de la Luna, Puritama hot springs, and the Domeyko mountain range.
Tierra Hotels (which also includes the properties Tierra Chiloé and Tierra Patagonia) are part of the Baillie Lodges family. While Tierra Atacoma is closed for renovations, guests can continue to enjoy both Tierra Chiloé and Tierra Patagonia, which operate from October through April, annually.
Launching at the start of the new season in October 2024, Tierra Chiloé will offer new Seaplane transfers and adventures (3-5 passengers). Transfers include El Tepual Airport to Puerto Montt (PMC) / Tierra Chiloé, while two different excursions include flyovers of Pumalin National Park (over northern Patagonia and the Chilean mainland, as well as views of the Chaitén Volcano and Lake Yelcho), while the Corcovado Volcano flight begins directly towards the imposing Corcovado Volcano and until reaching Tic Toc Bay and the remote Raul Marín Balmaceda Island. The reservation must be made at least 24 hours in advance and will be subject to availability and weather conditions.
