Introduction
The Hotel Termas de Puyehue was designed by the German architect Eugenio Freitag. Construction began in 1937 and was completed in 1942. The initial project was to provide a high-end hot springs and spa for the then Chilean “ruling class”. And, indeed, the better off Chileans came here to enjoy the stunning scenery and bathe in natural, health-providing thermal spring waters.
Today, after an extensive investment program the hotel has been transformed, once again, into a high-end, quality health spa.
From our point of view, for those on a general Chilean Lake itinerary, a stay at Hotel Termas de Puyehue for a few nights will not only provide a great relaxation point, but it will introduce you to Chile’s wonderful natural hot springs (albeit at the hotel the spring water is in indoor and outdoor specialty-pools), but the enormity of the building and stunningly beautiful, natural surroundings offer a truly “good feel” experience.
About
The actual building the hotel occupies is impressively large. Looking front on, the entrance is an extremely grand, almost like a tower, with a gigantic, high archway. The style is very much like the statement architecture of some buildings built by the Germans around the time of World War II.
The hotel still is very large and spacious inside.
The History
The ownership has changed hands many times starting, initially with the “Sociedad Termas de Puyehue”, partnered with the “Sociedad Turismo y Hoteles de Chile”. This then changed in 1949 when the hotel was taken over by the Banco de Chile, until 1953 when the bank decided to sell the property. People who lived in the nearest city of Osorno appreciated the value of the hotel and created a society to buy it from the bank. The society comprised 10,000 shareholders under the company name of “Termas de Puyehue Osorno Ltda”. But, unfortunately, in 1957 a fire destroyed part of the hotel and from that moment it became difficult to manage as a viable operation.
It was then, in the late 1980’s, when Guillermo Schiess bought 50% of the shares from the holding company with a view to re-establishing Hotel Termas de Puyehue back to its former glory. Guillermo instigated a strategic plan to reopen the hotel and make it a viable business.
Firstly, he opened access to the hot springs during the summer months. He then complimented the summer season by offering accommodation to people who wanted to ski at the nearby Antillanca ski centre – a few kms further up the side of the nearby Casablanca volcano.
Then the hotel underwent a radical renovation and upgrade program that occupied a five-year period and today the hotel is, indeed, a luxury looking, high-end hotel and health spa.
The interior, benefits from well-selected natural wood in as many places as possible, combined with soft lighting, which creates a “warm” and cosy environment.
Space is then occupied with a restaurant, bar, games room and many rest areas.
The main hotel is linked to the spa area via a hallway of natural wood, either side of which is the forest.
Indoor Thermal Pool
In the spa area there is a decent sized indoor thermal pool, with water-covered bubble beds and hydro massage jets too. The water temperature is between 22 – 42 C and contains minerals such as: sulphate, iron, calcium, zinc, chloride, magnesium, sodium and lithium. Such exposure to these natural, volcanically-heated waters has proven to reduce stress, stimulate peripheral circulation, help with rheumatism and, overall, relax the mind and body.
The Outdoor Thermal Pool
Very similar to the indoor pool except that it is without a roof and adjacent to the forest.
Then there is another pool which is half covered and half in the open.
The National Park, which was established in 1941, encompasses 107,000 hectares of native forest, rivers, flora, and fauna. It also includes the Casablanca Volcano, with a summit of 2,240mt (Puyehue Volcano is also in the park, but a little further north).
The drive up to the Antillanca ski centre is outstandingly beautiful with a thick forest comprising a variety of tree types.
And, as with most of the National Parks in Chile there are activities such as trekking, birdwatching, horse riding, fishing and, in the winter (in this case) skiing.
Where is The Hotel Termas Puyehue
The nearest airport to Termas de Puyehue is at Osorno. Regular flights from Santiago take around 2hrs to Osorno airport.
If you were to drive from Santiago to Hotel Termas de Puyehue it would take around 13hrs to cover the 923km with stop offs considered.
Hotel Termas de Puyehue is located about 72kms due east from the city of Osorno on the main Ruta 5.
To get here from the Ruta 5 you take the paved road directly from Ruta 5, opposite Osorno city (but do not go into Osorno – not a particular interesting place). From Ruta 5, heading directly east the drive is 47km through nice countryside, to Entre Lagos, which a small settlement at the western end of Lake Puyehue. From Entre Lagos the road follows the southern shore of the Lake Puyehue to a place called Nilque, which is just a reference point. From Nilque it is around 10km or so up to the Termas de Puyehue and a further 12km to the ski centre of Antillanca.
Click on map for larger image
The Rooms
Hotel Termas de Puyehue offers these room categories:
Lodge Puyehue
These rooms are spacious, with king-sized matrimonial beds, comfortably decorated with natural wood, neutral colours, warm lighting, and a bathtub in the main room from where there is a good view to the Puyehue National Park out of the window.
Superior Suite
Spacious rooms with a writing desk, sofa bed, dining table and large matrimonial bed. Also, from these rooms (there are only two) are superb views to the nature outside.
Superior Room (50 Rooms)
These rooms have a small balcony, views to the National Park and partial views to the lake. Large matrimonial bed.
Standard Room (41 Rooms)
Similar to the other rooms, just a little smaller and no balconies.
Family Suites - (5 Family Suites, each with Capacity for 6 People)
Spacious suites with matrimonial bed, games room.
Three Person Suites (9 Suites)
Designed as duplex apartments with matrimonial or twin bed configurations and a large sofa bed.
We will include this hotel as part of your itinerary if requested to do so or if required for a logistical reason, or if it suits your itinerary budget.
If you're interested in this hotel, please don't hesitate contacting us or fill out our enquiry form below.
YES. ExperienceChile.Org will add to your overall itinerary an extra free of charge should we include this hotel in your itinerary for a minimum of 4 nights under an all-inclusive program (min 2 people). The offer will depend on the requirements of the rest of your itinerary.
If you're interested in this hotel, please don't hesitate contacting us or fill out our enquiry form below.
