South America’s Breathtaking Resorts

The word breathtaking can be overused — unless you are talking about the natural beauty of South America. It’s impossible not to gasp at the first sight of wild Patagonia, the Andes rising far above the clouds, or the wonder that is Machu Picchu. Fortunately, these breathtaking places are also home to some of the most spectacular resorts in the world.

Every year, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe. They share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties are classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities.

Top Luxury Resorts in South America

Last year’s No. 1 choice, Singular Patagonia, set in the town of Puerto Bories, Chile, slipped to No. 4. This LEED-certified hotel features 57 guest rooms encased in glass, showcasing Last Hope Sound and snow-peaked mountains — the perfect jumping-off point for trekking in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, yet close enough to civilization. However, some of our readers sought something more adventurous. At the nearby EcoCamp Patagonia, located within the park itself, guests sleep in geodesic domes equipped with low-emission woodstoves. One reader noted, “I love that EcoCamp Patagonia promotes sustainable tourism, and they share their knowledge of the land… their food and staff are amazing. Truly one of the best places I have traveled to.” Another added, “The care taken to preserve the environment at the camp was inspired. The guides were intrepid; the service was impeccable. The rooms were part yurt, part luxury hotel.”

For those who would rather not associate “camp” with their luxury getaways, this year’s No. 1 choice, Cavas Wine Lodge, in Argentina’s Mendoza wine region, is sure to impress. Moreover, the Sacred Valley’s Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, offers a private train to Machu Picchu, along with a spa, fitness center, and spectacular indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Let’s explore more about Cavas Wine Lodge and the rest of the winners.

5. Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Sacred Valley, Peru

Score: 95.47

4. Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories, Chile

Score: 95.70

3. Tierra Atacama Boutique Hotel & Spa, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Score: 96.00

2. EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Score: 96.84

1. Cavas Wine Lodge, Mendoza, Argentina

Score: 98.22

Situated on a 55-acre vineyard in the wine region of Mendoza, this boutique hotel has a heralded farm-to-table restaurant, a blissful spa, and an exclusive atmosphere that allows guests to forget that anyone else has visited before them. Honeymooners and couples, take note: each of the 18 rooms has a private plunge pool, a wood-burning fireplace, an outdoor shower, and uninterrupted views of the Andes. “One of those very special places you will never forget,” as one reader stated, adding, “We were pampered and taken care of in a fashion we had never before experienced.”