A room with views of the most impressive volcano in Chilean Patagonia

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The design of the

room is marvelous, but that's what you notice later.

The first thing that catches your eye when entering it, what impresses and almost scares you, is the

appearing through the window floating in the darkness.

It is not just any volcano, of course, but Osorno, one of the most important not only in Patagonia, the destination that concerns us, but in all of Chile.

And that the Latin American country has more than 2,000 throughout its geography.

With an altitude of

and slopes covered with glaciers practically all year round, Osorno, an icon of the Lakes Region in which we find ourselves and the gateway to the aforementioned Patagonia, is very reminiscent of the mythical Japanese Fuji volcano.

Not in vain, it is difficult to differentiate them in some photographs.

But the Chilean also has the company of the beautiful Llanquihue Lake,

of 860 square kilometers, which makes it the largest in the country if we exclude

, which shares property with neighboring Argentina.

Reinforced concrete main building.

In the rooms of the hotel, with a

not only does the image of the volcano sneak in, but they seem to be suspended over the lake, standing right on its shore.

Located just 20 minutes by car from Puerto Varas, one of the main towns in the area next to

it is the best base of operations to explore

which it represents in

.

Glazed facades of the Patagonian building.

What's more, the complex, which mixes avant-garde architecture with decorative elements from the Mapuche tradition of the area, such as

or handicrafts that dot each room, completely blends in with its surroundings.

It does so through its gigantic windows to

and an environmentally friendly approach whose protagonist is exposed reinforced concrete, a technique chosen due to the geometry of the building and the Chilean construction tradition.

Not in vain, the texture of the material was made by means

manufactured in the same place of the work.

Bike route through Northern Patagonia.

The owners of this

(plus a private villa) took care of everything, with an outdoor and indoor pool, as well as a lounge with a fireplace, a library, a spa, an orchard and

.

Of course, we are facing a family project more than a business.

And it is that its objective is that the guest really knows Patagonia, enjoying the environment (

) and

.

"But not luxury understood as the classic cliché of gold and shiny things, but rather the one that focuses on experiences,

and different times," says Mauricio Fuentes, owner and operations manager of the complex, a stone's throw from the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the oldest in Chile and one of the most beautiful.

Mapuche tradition

For something nature (and its care) is the main protagonist of the hotel.

"We are

from things as literal as the water treatment or the

of the rooms and the hotel in general, to the design itself because the fundamental thing was to favor the views of the lake and the volcano," adds Fuentes.

The hotel's indoor pool.

The name of the hotel, Awa, refers to the liquid element that surrounds it on all sides.

It is written with 'w' because it is a letter that represents

, originally from southern Chile.

One more example that aboriginal culture is very present in every corner.

Starting with its location, since both the Osorno volcano and

form an inseparable part of the Mapuche tradition.

To begin with, the meaning of the name of the lake is "place to dive into the water", in their Mapudungun language.

Bike rides are some of the activities available.

Moreover, according to this ethnic group, a

was banished for his misdeeds to these

, creating the

itself .

His wickedness was so great that, in order to appease his fury in the form of gigantic puffs of fire, the heart of the most beautiful virgin of the place, the young

At that moment, the volcano began to be covered with an eternal blanket of snow that still lasts today.

Rides by bike, on foot or helicopter

To get to know the two symbols of the Chilean Lake District better, you should go along the

following its shore through valleys, waterfalls,

and charming villages with traditional wooden houses immersed in nature. .

The route can be done in its entirety or in sections

or through

, calculating the best places to make a stop.

All options are available at the hotel.

Just talk to Mauricio or Roberto Brahm, the Awa guide, whose mission is to "guide guests on the activities that best suit them."

The restaurant, specializing in local haute cuisine.

The list is endless: fly-fishing in rivers such as

(with a stop included in its spectacular emerald-colored waterfalls), Maulín, Puelo or Rahue, hiking, rafting in the Reloncaví estuary, mountain bike or horseback routes in a forest. native,

or immersion in the Alerce Andino National Park to discover the second oldest tree species on the planet.

There is no shortage

through the Cochamó Valley or scenic flights taking off from the hotel itself.

The local cuisine is a hallmark of the place.

Back at Awa you have to try the

prepared by its chef Oscar Bermudes.

Among the dishes that must be tried yes or yes,

with native potatoes, the beef tartare, the chickpea hummus or the hake with seafood sauce and mashed peas harvested

out .

Moreover, another of the activities offered is a day of collecting food followed by a

to prepare the menu that is later enjoyed at dinner with views, of course, of the volcano.

Like everything here.

Perfect culmination for a day in Patagonia.

Awa Hotel

.

Route 225, Km. 27, Puerto Varas, Los Lagos Region (Chile).

Internet: hotelawa.cl Check prices and packages on the web.

More information

on the

(http://chile.travel) and Ruta de los Parques websites: www.rutadelosparques.org

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