About this hotel
General information
Refugia Chiloé is a 24-room lodge on a hilltop above the inland sea of Chiloé Island, at the point where Chile's Lake District gives way to northern Patagonia. Its two shingle-clad wings seem to hover over the slope; Santiago practice Mobil Arquitectos designed the building, pairing the archipelago's vernacular with clean geometry and broad expanses of glass. The interiors were made in collaboration with Chilean artisans, with walls and floors of native ulmo and mañío wood, handmade furniture and island textiles, while the living room, bar and dining room flow around a suspended copper fireplace. Heating comes from renewable biomass and single-use plastics have been dropped.
The lodge is seasonal and sold as programmes. The main one, Full Experience, covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, an open bar with house wines and spirits, two half-day or one full-day excursion each day in small groups shared with other guests, use of the spa and its pools, and transfers from Castro and Puerto Montt airports. Packages start at three nights. Half-board, Dine & Stay (meals only) and bed-and-breakfast plans are also offered. The grounds hold a private dock for the wooden boat Williche, a stable, vegetable gardens and a greenhouse.
Location
The hotel sits on the east coast of Chiloé Island, on the Rilán peninsula, overlooking Pullao Bay and the Pullao wetlands, where migratory birds gather in their hundreds each season. The nearest airport is Mocopulli at Castro, around 30–40 minutes by road, reached from Santiago on LATAM and SKY flights of about two hours. From Puerto Montt airport the drive takes about 4.5 hours, including a 45-minute ferry crossing. Hydroplane transfers from either airport can be arranged at extra cost.
Spa
Refugia Spa lies beneath the main building, finished in wood panelling and stone with heated floors and tall windows. It has a heated indoor pool with hydro-massage, a heated outdoor infinity pool on a deck facing the Pullao wetlands, a jacuzzi, a seashell-shaped sauna, a steam room and relaxation areas. The menu runs to massages, facials, wraps, scrubs and alternative therapies using local ingredients such as maqui, Chilean hazelnut and herbs; signatures include the Alerce deep-tissue massage, the Tidal Rhythms relaxation massage, the Heaven and Earth foot, shoulder and head ritual with maqui, and the Poñi facial with native clay. The spa is reserved for hotel guests; pools, sauna and steam room are included, treatments are charged separately.
Sports & leisure
On arrival a head guide sits down with guests at a large hand-painted map of the island to shape a personal itinerary. Outings are active or cultural, and the choice depends on weather, season and fitness:
- kayaking from the hotel pier to Rilán and its UNESCO-listed church, stand-up paddling on Pullao Bay, bike and e-bike rides;
- horseback rides along the island's old footpaths;
- hikes in Tepuhueico, Ahuenco and Epukuden parks, the Duhatao–Chepu and Tricolor trails along the Pacific cliffs, and the Palqui woods;
- cultural trips to Castro with its palafitos and craft markets, to the islands of Quinchao, Chelín and Quehui, shellfishing at low tide, and visits to farmers and artisans;
- days aboard the Williche, the hotel's locally built wooden boat, with seafood prepared on board and a chance of dolphins and seabirds;
- forest bathing and walks on the marked trails of the hotel grounds.
There is no gym. Private excursions and guides in other languages are available at extra cost.
For children
Children of all ages are welcome, and some excursions are suited to them. Adjacent Pullao Rooms interconnect for families of four to six, while the Suites, with their separate living space, work well for parents with young children. Guests under 18 must check in with an adult.
Restaurants & bars
The restaurant looks out over the inland sea through panoramic windows, and its menu changes daily, built on island recipes and produce from the hotel garden, neighbouring farms and local fishermen: lamb, shellfish, sea urchins and the famous Chilote potatoes. Once a week a curanto of clams, mussels, chicken, sausages and potatoes is cooked in an earth pit over hot stones and served on the terrace to live local music. The bar, with its own terrace, pours a cocktail of the day, a Pisco Sour with ulmo honey and Chilean wines, and after dinner guests settle by the copper fireplace. On excursions lunch is served aboard the Williche or as a picnic. There is no room service.
Swimming
Swimming is in the spa: a heated indoor pool with hydro-massage and a heated outdoor infinity pool on a deck above the Pullao wetlands.
Rooms
The 24 rooms, in three categories, are lined in wood, with large windows onto the inland sea, Pullao Bay or the green hills. Furniture and textiles were made by island artisans.
Each room has king or twin beds, a bathroom with bathtub and shower, double vanity and local toiletries, complimentary Wi-Fi and hand-knitted woollen slippers.
Suite
Windows on two sides take in the Pullao wetlands and the green hillside; the Suite comes either as a two-level 39 m² layout or a single-level 52 m² layout with open-plan living. A king or twin bedroom and a large bathroom with freestanding tub; up to four guests with a sofa bed and rollaway.
Pullao Room
Panoramic windows face the wetlands and tidal Pullao Bay, with king or twin beds and a bathroom with deep tub and walk-in shower. Sleeps up to three with a rollaway, and two adjacent rooms interconnect for four to six guests.
Rilán Room
A snug room for one or two, with big windows over the inland sea, the meadow and the Rilán peninsula. King or twin beds and a bathroom with jacuzzi tub and shower.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.