Explora Torres del Paine

One begins to suspect, at a certain point, that profit is not the Explora group’s primary concern. It’s not that the Explora experience is cheap, not by any means (though, to be fair, the rates do include airport transfers, three meals a day, plus daily expeditions). But for what’s virtually guaranteed to be a life-changing experience, one might be willing to pay quite a bit more more — or at least to overlook the cutting of the occasional corner. The Exploras, simply, are phenomenal hotels in phenomenal locations. It’s true in the Atacama, it’s true on Easter Island, and it’s true here at Explora Torres del Paine. Strictly speaking, the sublime is beauty tinged with awe — a perfect description of Torres del Paine. If the Explora is luxurious (and it is), it’s only to soften the edges of this rugged landscape. This is an audience that’s in the market for some adventure, but is perhaps a few years past feeling the urge to camp on the cold, hard ground. The boxy modernist lodge stands just yards from the Salto Chico waterfall, with the peaks of the Paine massif looming just behind. So the fifty rooms and suites, and the associated public spaces, do their best to feel cozy and inviting. There are some self-consciously rustic touches, like the wood paneling and patterned textiles, as well as some clean modern lines. But above all, the views predominate — interior design, in this environment, is somewhat secondary. Not at all secondary are the activities. Here it’s Patagonia, not the hotel itself, which is the main attraction. All manner of explorations are offered, from the gentlest walks to horseback treks and some extremely demanding hikes. Even the arrival is a bit of an adventure, a five-hour drive on some rather difficult roadways from the airport in Punta Arenas.