11 Best Luxury Hotels in the Atacama Desert Chile
Looking for the best luxury hotels in Atacama Desert? Keep reading to find out where to stay and all our top tips for visiting the stunning desert landscape.
The Atacama Desert is one of the most stunning and remote locations in South America, if not the planet. It’s the driest desert in the world and in its 41,000 sq mile expanse you’ll find a variety of incredible rock formations, salt flats, geysers, valleys, and more.
The best place to enjoy the Atacama Desert in Chile from San Pedro de Atacama, a desert oasis town in the middle of the desert- about a 1-hour 20-minute drive from Calama. Some of the best natural sights are easily reachable from the top San Pedro de Atacama hotels like the Tatio Geysers, Atacama Salt Flats, Lagunas Escondidas, and Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques.
So where to stay while you explore the incredible desert? In fact, there are some pretty iconic and memorable stays located in and around San Pedro de Atacama. Keep reading to find out more about all the best boutique and luxury Atacama Desert hotels for a stay to remember.
*This ‘luxury hotels in Atacama Desert’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.
Things to Know Before Planning Your Trip
↠ Base yourself in San Pedro de Atacama and not in Calama. It’s a long drive each day to the highlights from Calama, plus it’s not an exceptionally pretty place for a base.
↠ Don’t set your travel plans without reading Atacama Desert Chile: The Ultimate Self-Driving Itinerary. It’s our ultimate guide to self-driving the Atacama Desert and has all the information you need to plan your trip. If you’re choosing an all-inclusive luxury accommodation option, you won’t need this, however.
↠ If you’re not sure about how to get around, read Self-Drive Or Tours? | Which Is Better In The Atacama Desert?
↠ If you are renting a car (which I highly recommend you do for ease of getting around), do so in Calama before driving to San Pedro de Atacama. There is no car rental in San Pedro.
↠ Travel Insurance. Don’t take the chance, not in an area where altitude sickness is real. My preference is Safetywing Nomad Insurance
↠ Now let’s jump into the best 4 and 5-star properties in the Atacama Desert.
The Best Boutique and Luxury Hotels in Atacama Desert
1. Awasi Atacama
The most luxurious stay in the Atacama Desert, Awasi by Relais & Chateaux offers an oasis of calm surrounded by desert. This luxury lodge is really one of a kind with only 12 suites inspired by the pre-Inca settlements of the region. Seeped in history and design the hotel embodies the desert and its energy like no other.
Suites, enclosed in abode walls, open up to large bathrooms and outdoor showers. With 5-star gastronomy, beyond comfortable rooms, exquisite service, and location this is one of the best places to stay in San Pedro de Atacama and Chile.
Staying at Awasi and you won’t need a rental car either. Each room is assigned a private driver, 4wd, and guide so you can explore the desert in your own time and pace.
2. Explora Atacama
One of the most luxurious properties in the Atacama Desert, Explora offers excellent service, style, and amenities the area has to offer.
With a stunning bar looking out at the desert, rustic-chic guest rooms that fit in perfectly with the landscape, and exclusive access to Puritama Hot Springs. It is a little further than the rest from San Pedro town itself but with their all-inclusive set-up there’s never a reason to go into town but to maybe explore.
Accommodation, meals, transportation, and excursions are all included here and you’ll get taken around to the best highlights of the area by some of the most knowledgeable guides around. For those that want tours and authentic experiences of top quality organized for them- this is the spot.
This San Pedro de Atacama hotel is located on the outskirts of town but free parking is included.
3. Hotel Cumbres San Pedro
Blending into the desert landscape is Hotel Cumbres- one of the best hotels in Atacama. With adobe walls made locally, wooden accents, and native-inspired decor, the hotel is the perfect place to stay to be at one with the desert.
The highlights here are three outdoor pools, and fitness, and spa facilities which are just the things you need after a whole day exploring the desert. All rooms also have an outdoor shower, allowing you to enjoy the landscape as you bathe. For the ultimate oasis escape, book a stay at Cumbres.
If you’re looking to explore Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) and visit Piedra del Coyote this is one of the closest hotels to the viewpoint.
4. Tierra Atacama
With one hotel in the Atacama Desert and another property in Patagonia, it’s safe to say Tierra has established itself in the most stunning places in Chile.
The Tierra Atacama hotel is one of the most design-focused of all luxury hotels in the Atacama Desert with a light modern style that perfectly meets desert-chic. In fact, the property was designed by some of Chile’s most renowned architects.
Suites are well laid out, and beautifully designed and they make use of all the natural sunlight. Make sure not to miss the spa here, not only is it a great excuse to relax after a day of exploring but it’s also one of the best in Chile.
Book a massage and then relax in one of two pools star-gazing with a glass of Chile’s finest Carmenere.
The staff here will make sure you have a fantastic stay throughout your time in the desert.
Check availability and book your stay
5. Habitas Atacama
Newly opened Habitas is Atacama Desert’s hottest new boutique resort. It might just be the reason to book a trip to the Atacama Desert this year. Like with every Habitas property, the design here is on point, taking desert luxury to a whole new level.
Their 51 rooms and suites are a pleasure to come back to after a day of exploration and there’s also an outdoor pool, spa and wellness center, and brilliant restaurant and bar meaning there’s little reason to venture out.
The service here is also something to rave about and the property is happy to organise transfers and all kinds of excursions around the Atacama Desert.
Last but not least, for the best wellness offering in Atacama, don’t miss their wellness menu which includes Temazcal, a Willka Kuti Purification ritual (an ancient Aymara remedy) as well as a very intriguing energy tuning fork massage that’s definitely on our list to try next time.
Check availability and book your stay here.
6. NOI Casa Atacama
Luxury hotel chain NOI couldn’t be excluded from this list of the best luxury hotels in Atacama Desert. NOI Casa Atacama is a stunning property whose architecture blends in serenely with the desert surroundings. There are many pools and outdoor spaces to relax in and a lively bar and restaurant.
Suites here are light, bright, very clean, and spacious allowing you to get the sleep quality you need each night. Each has free wifi, a private bathroom, and air conditioning.
Daily excursions happen and you can join knowledgeable guides that’ll take you to all corners of the desert. Finish the day with a spa treatment and a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant.
7. Terrantai Lodge
An oasis in the center of San Pedro town, Terrantai Lodge is a stunning property that offers a memorable stay in the Atacama desert. With stunning decor and design, suites here offer all the comfort you’ll need during your stay. Rooms are cozy and well-lit and they all look out onto a gorgeously green communal courtyard.
For those who want to prioritize exploring more of San Pedro de Atacama town on their stay, this location can’t be beaten. Terrantai Lodge also offers free parking.
8. Hotel Desertica
Another absolutely stunning property when it comes to exquisite design, this is the perfect place to stay for those wanting to be a little closer to San Pedro de Atacama.
Suites are located in detached round structures, giving the feel of sleeping in a yurt. They are beautifully decorated using high-quality decor and locally-made native textiles.
The food here is also great and there’s a pool and any other amenity you can expect from a 4-star property. The staff here are kind and helpful and staying here will make the perfect base for when exploring the Atacama desert. If you need it, they also offer airport transfers.
Check rates and availability here
9. Best Luxury Hotels in Atacama Desert: Hotel Altiplanico
One of the best hotels for swoon-worthy desert design, look nowhere else. With adobe mud buildings and decor and accents made with local materials, this property features minimalistic, desert-inspired architecture in a quiet, natural setting.
Rooms have panoramic private terraces from which you can relax and watch the stars in the evening.
There’s a gorgeous outdoor pool on-site restaurant and bar and the staff will look after you well. This is one the best luxury hotels in Atacama Desert Chile when it comes to value for money too.
10. Nayara Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
One of the best boutique hotels located right outside San Pedro amid the beautiful red rocks where you can enjoy the landscape to the maximum.
The rooms are simple yet beautifully decorated, the food is top-notch and there’s a spa and wellness center to take advantage of too.
Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & spa can also organize some amazing excursions with some of the best guides in San Pedro. Many involve picnics at some of the most scenic spots in the area- highly recommended especially at sunset.
Guides will tell you all about the history, culture, and natural landscape of the desert and you’ll come away knowing so much more.
In the evening, make the most of the spa, the lovely bar, and the outdoor swimming pool for the clearest skies you’ll ever see.
11. Lodge Quelana
Running completely on solar power, this is Atacama Desert’s most sustainable and off-grid luxury stay. Suites are located in small, detached cabins, each with its own terrace to relax on and common areas are spacious. There’s also a large pool area and lounge area, and a good, complimentary breakfast is provided.
Staff can also help to plan any excursions if you prefer to take some guided tours.
The lodge is located quite a distance from town so this San Pedro de Atacama hotel is suited for those that have a rental car to be able to get around. Free parking is provided.
Ready to book your stay at the best luxury hotels in Atacama Desert? Have any questions or comments about your trip? Let me know in the box below.
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Planning a trip right now? These are just some of my favourite websites I use to book everything from hotels to rental cars!
Rentalcars.com for quick and easy car rentals worldwide
Booking.com for great deals on hotels
Agoda also for great deals on hotels
Get Your Guide and Viator for tours and adventures around the world
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Self-Drive Or Tours? | Which Is Better In The Atacama Desert?
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