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Hotel Antumalal

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Hotel Antumalal - Selected hotel in Pucón, Chile

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Hotel Details

Location

Pucón

Chile, South America

Expert Review: Hotel Antumalal

Hotel Antumalal in Pucón, Chile, a Michelin Key Selected property, is consistently praised as an exceptional and unique destination offering a blend of natural beauty, sophisticated design, and outstanding hospitality.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hotel Antumalal consistently receives superb and exceptional ratings from guests, often described as a "very special boutique hotel" and an "outstanding hotel." The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently expressing a desire to return due to the tranquil charm and unforgettable experiences. Review scores for various aspects are exceptionally high, including location (9.9), staff (9.8), comfort (9.7), and cleanliness (9.6).

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Hotel Antumalal for several key aspects:

  • Location & Views: The hotel boasts a privileged and idyllic position on the shores of Lake Villarrica, offering "spectacular views from all main guest areas." It is set on a cliff top within 5 hectares of private gardens, ensuring a peaceful ambiance with stunning lake vistas. The property's name itself, "Antumalal," means "place of the sun" in Mapuche, inspired by the impressive sunsets over the lake.
  • Design & Architecture: The hotel is celebrated for its "fabulous 1950s architecture" and "mid-century modern style," designed in a Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. This "modernist design" seamlessly integrates with the landscape and was considered highly advanced for its time.
  • Service & Staff: The staff receives continuous accolades for being "excellent," "very helpful," "super friendly and responsive," and "exceptionally warm." Many staff members have been with the hotel for decades, contributing to a familial atmosphere where guests are made to feel like part of the family.
  • Amenities: Highlights include a spa with an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool, a hydro-massage pool, a sauna with panoramic lake views, and a private beach area. The extensive, beautifully maintained gardens, complete with waterfalls and natural volcanic rock pools, offer serene walking trails.

3. Room Quality

Hotel Antumalal offers "luxurious rooms with private bathrooms, lake or garden views, and modern amenities." Rooms are described as "extremely comfortable and clean" with "super comfortable beds" and are known for their "perfect views." Each room features "original wood-burning fireplaces" or wood-burning stoves, knotty wood-paneled walls, and thoughtful touches like fresh garden flowers and homemade chocolates. Modern updates include plasma TVs, sound-proof doors, and walk-in closets. While maintaining its 1960s heritage, the rooms are comfortable and charming, often featuring wood finishes on walls and ceilings to create a cozy atmosphere. Chalets and suites provide additional space, typically including living rooms, kitchenettes, and private terraces, ideal for families or groups.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Hotel Antumalal is highly regarded. Guests describe the food as "good," "delicious," and the dinner at the restaurant as "amazing." The family-friendly restaurant serves international cuisine in a traditional and romantic ambiance, with a fine view of Lake Villarrica and an adjacent exterior terrace. Breakfast is particularly praised, often referred to as "great" and "simple but homemade," including a buffet with fresh cooked eggs, fruit, sliced meats and cheeses, pastry, fresh orange juice, and options for vegetarian and gluten-free diets. The hotel utilizes vegetables from its own organic garden, emphasizing fresh local ingredients.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Hotel Antumalal is consistently highlighted as a major strength. Guests frequently commend the staff for being "excellent," "very helpful," and "super friendly and responsive." The "exceptionally warm staff" and the long tenure of many employees contribute to a personalized and welcoming atmosphere, making guests feel like family. Key staff members are also noted for speaking English, enhancing the experience for international visitors.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Antumalal is strategically located approximately 2 kilometers outside the main town of Pucón, about a 5-minute drive away. This provides a peaceful setting while still being accessible to the town, which is a hub for adventure activities such as hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and fly-fishing. The hotel is situated "on the shores of Lake Villarrica" and features its own private beach and dock. It is approximately 80 km (50 miles) from La Araucanía International Airport, and close to attractions like Ski Pucon (16 km / 9.9 miles) and Villarrica National Park (10 km / 6.2 miles).

7. Value & Pricing

While acknowledged as "not cheap," guests generally find Hotel Antumalal to be "genuinely great value - worth every penny." It's seen as an investment in a unique experience where "all facilities are treated in a sustainable way." Sample nightly rates can range from approximately $262 to $780 for various room types, with prices fluctuating based on season and room choice.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism or considerations have been noted:

  • Dining Consistency: One guest mentioned a "late lunch of spinach fettuccini topped with tender and tasty stewed venison was, unfortunately, not so well prepared," suggesting occasional inconsistencies in some meal preparations.
  • Accessibility: Guests with mobility issues should be aware that accessing certain areas, such as the spa, Lake House, and Lake Chalet, involves climbing stairs and navigating sloping paths. The Lake House, specifically, is not recommended for families with very small children or those with mobility difficulties due to stone steps.
  • Seasonal Traffic: During peak season (January and February), traffic around Pucón can be heavy, which might affect travel times to and from the hotel.

Sources

  1. booking.com
  2. hotels.com
  3. thesouthamericaspecialists.com
  4. luxurylatinamerica.com
  5. michelin.com
  6. audleytravel.com
  7. pucontophotels.com
  8. booking.com
  9. experiencechile.org
  10. antumalal.com
  11. kayak.com
  12. kayak.com
  13. kayak.ie

Points to Consider

  • While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points of criticism or considerations have been noted:

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