Spectacular Stays:
The Singular Patagonia

Steph Gulledge

Patagonia Travel Expert

Latin America | Chile

Picture yourself at the edge of the world, encompassed by a landscape of massifs, fjords and glaciers.

Imagine waking up to an uninterrupted connection between you and this raw nature; a shimmering bay seemingly within reach from the foot of your king-sized bed and a crystal-clear view of the misty peaks beyond. This is your every day at The Singular Patagonia.

Set amid the wild unknown in the southern tip of Chile, this stark building is both exactly what you’d expect, and not at all. The austere exterior suits the barren land it’s anchored in, still resembling its former occupation as a cold-storage unit for meat.

The Singular Patagonia

But a delightfully rustic, design hotel? Some say it needs to be seen to be believed, but allow me to tell you a little bit about it.

The Property

I should start by noting that to call The Singular Patagonia a ‘hotel’ does it a disservice. What you get here is an experiential getaway; one that’s steeped in history, luxury and adventure.

The property doubles as a museum that pays homage to its roots. Designated a Heritage Building in 1996, the plans to turn it into the destination it is today needed to include preserving its original elements.

You’ll find these vestiges seamlessly weaved throughout its stripped-down design, like in the stainless steel-lined hallways, passing by tanning tools and 20thC machinery on your way to the dining room and the funicular that brings you from the front of the hotel up to the lobby.

Despite its blue-collar past, the atmosphere is anything but cold. The warehouse structure lends to an industrial-chic aesthetic while wood furnishings, cozy armchairs, soft lighting and an open-pit fireplace give it a lived-in feel.

The Singular Patagonia

As for the outside, unpolished bits from the original site—like the slightly disheveled dock and a gravel parking lot—add to its non-conformist spirit.

Seated within such precious land, The Singular Patagonia is committed to sustainability and its impact on the environment.

They bear an impressive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification thanks to the use of regional materials and products, low energy and water consumption and using two feet or two wheels instead of cars whenever possible.

SEE (AND STAY) FOR YOURSELF

Use this property on a bespoke adventure to Chile.

Discover The Property

The Experience

Patagonia inspires movement—this is the epitome of the great outdoors, and there are no limits as to what you can discover.

The Singular Patagonia makes it a cinch to explore with a wide range of activities: You can embark on a rewarding hike through the Torres del Paine National Park, take a horseback riding lesson at the Puerto Consuelo ranch, kayak along the Señoret Channel, or fly fish for salmon and trout—all while in the company of an English-speaking guide.

If you find yourself craving some civilization, you can hop on one of the property’s bikes (which are free for rent) and pedal to the nearby town of Puerto Natales, only a 15-minute ride away. Resting on the shores of Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound), the beaches here are a bird-lovers delight, brimming with swooping condors, cormorants and Chilean skuas.

While in town, check out the Museo Histórico for artifacts ranging from the Indigenous populations to colonization, pop into one of the galleries along the waterfront, sip a coffee in the main square or observe the daily local life at the Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Singular Patagonia

Come day’s end, relax your worked muscles with a dip in the heated indoor/outdoor pool, best experienced when the sun’s last rays dance across the water, eventually dropping behind the Patagonian fjords.

For added indulgence, book a spa treatment at the eco-wellness centre, SPA (short for Salut Per Aqua or ‘health through water’), which uses plant and fruit oil extracts for your pampering.

The Dining

All this activity requires refuelling with a nourishing meal. Even the cuisine is evocative of The Singular’s vibe, focusing on substance over excess and using ingredients from the regional terroir. The food is fresh, healthy and always just the right amount, plated like a work of art.

The Singular Patagonia When booking, guests can choose from a bed and breakfast plan or a full-board option that includes all three daily meals.

It begins with breakfast—a sumptuous spread of every imaginable fruit, viennoiseries, made-to-order omelettes, yogurt, cereal, just-squeezed orange juice—you get the idea.

If you’re out on an excursion during lunch, the hotel will craft a picnic for you to enjoy amid the breathtaking scenery.

Plan on sticking around for the day? Then head to The Singular Restaurant, where award-winning Executive Chef Hernán Basso prepares Chilean staples—like guanaco (a local type of llama), Patagonian lamb and king crab—with a French twist.

The Singular Patagonia

Before dinner, sink into a perfectly-worn leather couch with an author-inspired cocktail in the sleek bar, with its exposed-brick walls and wooden stairways that maintain the pared-back atmosphere.

Once you and your appetite are recharged, make your way to the dining room to sink your teeth into yet another exquisite meal or check out the barbecue grill, El Asador, that offers an intimate experience and delicacies like rabbit, beef and more cooked over an open flame.

The Rooms

There are three categories to choose from: the Singular Twin with two double beds, the Singular King with one king-sized bed and the Singular Suite with a king-sized bed in addition to a couch and sitting area.

The Singular Patagonia

Each generously sized room (the smallest coming in at 45 square metres, equal to around 500 square feet) boasts an entire wall’s worth of floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at the fjords while the Last Hope channel wades in between.

The decor is kept minimal with elegant touches like custom-made, Victorian-style furnishings and black and white photographs so that Mother Nature can remain the real showstopper.

The Singular Patagonia

All beds are outfitted with hypoallergenic pillows and 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, and every category has an ensuite marble bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower area.

Despite being in the depths of the natural world, each guestroom comes with complimentary WiFi (and the common areas do, too).

How to get here

International flights will arrive in Santiago, Chile. During your stay in Santiago, consider booking a room at The Singular Patagonia’s sister property, The Singular Santiago.

From Santiago, it’s a 3.5-hour flight to Punta Arenas, followed by a 2.5-hour drive to the hotel. It may not be the easiest place to get to, but I assure you, it’s worth the journey.

See + Do

Steph Gulledge

Rather than ending up at an advertising firm after receiving her degree in communication studies, Steph ended up on a bike—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. After studying in Canada, Spain and France, Steph struck out on the road and she’s kept two wheels planted firmly on it ever since.