Tierra Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, has reopened following a 12-month closure to accommodate a significant, $20 million refurbishment. The property is part of the Australia-based Baillie Lodges collection of luxury lodges. The property is set in a lush oasis, high in the Altiplano in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, famed as the world’s driest nonpolar desert. Guests can enjoy views of the shifting sand dunes, towering Licancabur Volcano and the Andes mountains via floor-to-ceiling windows.
As part of the refurbishment, the number of suites has been reduced from 32 to 28, allowing for more space, while four new suites have private plunge pools as well as a dedicated vehicle and expert guide at guests’ disposal. Guests can expect traditional décor and craftsmanship that pay homage to the natural beauty and history of the Atacama Desert and its people. More than 40 local artists and designers have created unique pieces for the interiors, adding a sense of cultural belonging to the hotel’s narrative.
The dining offering has also been transformed, with the addition of open grill areas next to the main restaurant, where diners can enjoy dishes influenced by regional traditions, while taking in views of the Andes. A new wine cellar houses a selection of local wines, while a new open kitchen places guests in the front row seats to enjoy the culinary theater in action.
The renovated spa now offers a double treatment room for couples. Additionally, a newly created sunken lounge area has been designed to foster guest connections while they take in views of the desert and the starry skies of Atacama.
Originally designed by Chilean architects Rodrigo Searle and Matías González in 2008, Tierra Atacama was built on the site of a long-abandoned cattle corral and retains the ancient adobe mud brick walls of the original 150-year-old bull pen at its entrance. The original walls and native vegetation have been preserved and integrated with the lodge design by Chilean landscape architect Teresa Moller.
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