Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Resorts in South America of 2024
Chile led the list of South America resorts in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2024.
In contrast to last year, when Uruguay and Peru duked it out for the No. 1 slot, this year’s list of the best resorts in South America heavily favored Chile — the long, narrow coastal nation nabbed three of the five top spots. The other two winners were from Argentina and Peru. Notably, Travel + Leisure readers honored properties all across the continent, including those in harder-to-reach destinations like the Atacama Desert and Patagonia, demonstrating that travelers are willing to put in the extra effort to reach such outstanding resorts.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:
Rooms/facilities
Location
Service
Food
Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
Courtesy of Tierra Atacama
What Readers Loved
While Chile won big, the best resorts in South America, according to T+L readers, weren’t clustered in any specific geographic region. Instead, the list spotlights the industry-leading lodgings in a variety of different landscapes and destinations. Tierra Atacama in the Atacama Desert beat out the rest with a score of 98.93. Some 1,000 miles away, just outside Chile’s capital, Santiago, Hotel Casa Real came in as a close second. The No. 3 Cavas Wine Lodge, a remarkable Relais & Chateaux property in the heart of Mendoza's wine country, earned praise for its knowledgeable staff, prime location, and impressive wine cellar. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, which captured fourth place, received some of the most glowing comments. “Its location is unparalleled, with a window view of the mountains in every room,” shared one fan. “Amazing architecture and fabulous staff. This is a place that tugs the heartstrings and stays with you forever,” said a repeat guest. Rounding out the top five, Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, embraces seaside luxury on Peru's west coast.
Read on for the full list of the best resorts in South America, according to T+L readers.
The Winner
Tierra Atacama: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Courtesy of Tierra Atacama
Tierra Atacama offers a distinct, memorable experience. Multiple readers remarked on the incredible location, surrounded by the otherworldly beauty of the Atacama Desert. One guest said that it’s “wonderful to wake up to that view.” Another loved “the sophisticated aesthetic” of the lodge and rooms. With a spate of activities, ranging from excursions to see flamingos at Chaxa Lagoon to stargazing, it’s very much a choose-your-own-adventure destination. Travelers seeking relaxation can try treatments that incorporate regional products such as clay, salt, and honey at the “unbelievable spa.” Guests also appreciate the attentive, personalized service.
The Full List
1. Tierra Atacama: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Reader Score: 98.93
2. Hotel Casa Real: Santiago, Chile
Reader Score: 98.50
3. Cavas Wine Lodge: Mendoza, Argentina
Reader Score: 97.49
4. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Reader Score: 97.14
5. Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas: Paracas, Peru
Reader Score: 96.87
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