MyBaggage

I want all-inclusive lodgings for 3 nights, solo traveler. My agent is suggesting these three choices: Singular, Hotel Las Torres, or Rio Serrano. The price differences among them is not significant. And i find similar teviews for all. Recommendations?

MyBaggage

Ugh, clearly this is not a trip report. Anyone know how I can undo that designation?

mlgb

I would pick the one closest to the Park. I wasn't familiar with Singular, but it looks like it's in Natales? If so, that's too far.

Las Torres is good for hiking to the Towers. I think the rooms are going to be the plainest of the three places.

Rio Serrano is good for seeing Glacier Grey and driving the road on the south side of the park, and French Valley.

Unless the room quality is most important, I would look at the excursions offered (make sure they really are included at no added cost).

MyBaggage

The MOST important aspect is the scenery and the excursions. If my room is clean, safe, and comfortable, and the food is edible, that checks off the room boxes. I have decided on Las Torres because it is in the park. Not lux? Ok. The surroundings will be my "Wow!" And I am a traveler who doesn't enjoy luxury accomodations as much as I like staying in a hotel that speaks to where I am. Thanks, mlgb, you reinforced my decision.

Clousie

Sorry, but I'm going to add another hotel into your mix. We LOVED Hotel Lago Grey last fall despite the fact that they were still completing renovations on the dining/public areas. Our guide told us that even though we may not have totally completed areas, the venue was worth putting up with any inconvenience and we agreed.

Can't speak about excursions since we were already on an OAT tour, but it appears that there are quite a few. I had one of the smaller cabin rooms and it was the coziest room I had on trip and loved it. Bushes hid some of the view from room, but public area views were outstanding. Food was great and very plentiful.

Sorry I don't know how to attach some of the photos I have from there.

Enjoy your trip! You won't be sorry you've included Torres del Paine.

mlgb

Did you do any hiking, Clousie?

The view from Lago Grey is spectacular. But it's out of the way for those who want to do either French Valley or the Towers.

Clousie

Since we were with OAT, they drove us somewhere everyday, but imagine that's what the excursions that MyBaggage mentioned would do.

Did walk towards Grey Glacier but didn't have time to get there. Wonderful walking on glacier delta right in front of hostel. There is also a boat that will take you to toe of Grey Glacier.

Can't compare it with other places, but we liked it here.

mlgb

There are a full range of excursions. Some include long hikes, horse treks, or just driving along the south side of the park (which actually COULD be done from Puerto Natales). Also the catamaran ride from Pudeto across to where Paine Grande is located.

Good point though for MyBaggage..did you want to do anything active? If not, then you could chose Lago Grey.

MyBaggage

Thank you, Clousie, Lago Grey, unfortunately, is booked for my dates in late November. Somewhat active is my goal, mlgb. Great views are the prerequisite I will not be hiking the W or the O, or camping (shudder). But easy half day hikes are great. As is horseback touring, zodiac, vehicle touring. In three days I cannot see the whole park - but I want to see whatever I can! Yes, I will be tired - I am 73 - but I can sleep when I am dead. (Dark humor

odie1

We stayed at Rio Serrano and were very happy there. They offered day trips to all the places. Los Torres is a great location if you plan on doing the hike to the towers-about 11 miles round trip and a good climb!

MyBaggage

Thank you, odie - plans for Las Torres have gotten a little muddled. Rio is the next plan, even if not in the park proper. I must wait and see. Nice to have your feedback.

odie1

It is literally a stone's throw from the park entrance. The views were wonderful and the food was better than average. The people that worked there were very helpful.

mlgb

MyBaggage, odie1's advice is good. You will not be hiking to the towers, so you don't really need to stay at Las Torres.

There are a few hotels with good views of the the Cuernos or Towers, some are very expensive, some moderate but from a longer distance. I'm sure your travel agent will be able to help you pick the right one for you. Even a day trip or two from Puerto Natales might work out okay.

MyBaggage

Thank you, All. Your advice is treasured. I have been on the road the last few days while trying to sort my Patagonia plans - wifi access was challenging. I reaaly wanted to be IN the park even though I am not an uber hiker. I am, finally, confirmed for three nights at Las Torres. So.....what are my must-do excursions? No camping!

MyBaggage

And....this booking is my splurge. The rest of my 5-week journey is prudent and conservative. Well, relatively speaking!

MyBaggage

Forgot to add, Rio Serrano had no availability. It looked like a good choice.

mlgb

If it's already included in the price, the one to Glacier Grey, where you drive along the road and go out in the zodiac to the glacier.

There might be some easy ones along the south road stopping at various spots with good views such as the waterfalls.

If they include the Catamaran across the lake (Pehoe is it called?)

Also there might be some where you go looking for guanacos or other wildlife.

Can you book your excursions ahead of time? There might be some info on the website describing what they offer.

I wasn't all-in but pay as you go. I'm a little fuzzy remembering how it went, I remember there was a presentation about the different excursions, and then you signed up a day or more in advance, but it could be different now.

odie1

For TdP-The hike to the towers is fabulous but if you are not an uber hiker, it is not for you. You won't have a car so you are going to be bound by what tours the hotel offers. Glacier Grey was beautiful-walk to the beach but I did not think it worth it to hike all the way across the beach to the Lookout-especialy if you will be trekking on Perito Moreno. Salto Chico Waterfall was cool combined with a trip around the boardwalks at Explora hotel (We saw a Huemuel deer here). These were the only things we did as we only had three full days there and we spent one day fishing.

MyBaggage

Yes, I can book excursions ahead. But I have booked only the Full Paine for my first full day and it includes Glacier Grey with the zodiac. I understand the round trip hike to the Towers is about 8 hours. I can handle that - but how difficult is the hike? Do I need full-on hiking boots?

Right, no car, and that is one reason I wanted to stay at TdP because their excursions get good reviews. The knowledge of the guide is important. I will have an evening, plus two full days and a half day there. And I got a room at the far end away from the noise of the dining room, lobby, etc.

For the other excursions I thought I might wait until I get there to book. Or after some more reading, may book ahead.

It took a while to get all 8 hotels plus flights for this trip sorted. Now I can start looking at th details.

odie1

The hike to the Torres is 11.2 miles, we mapped it all with GPS. The initial ascent is a straight uphill for about an hour or so then you descend and then it is a meandering up and down for another hour or so. From there the hike is about another hour up to the Torres, all uphill, and some of it is a scramble over boulders. Our ten year old did it with us (she was the ONLY young child we saw the entire time) but it is doable for a non uber-trekker. It took us more than 8 hours, but we stopped for lunch, photos, and spent about an hour at the top-but it was SOOOO worth it. But remember there is no elevation to really speak of so you are not fighting for oxygen! They give you the option of going part way on horseback-I liken that to riding the mules down the Grand Canyon (not that I have done it but I have seen it). The beginning of the trail is narrow and is cut into the side of the mountain. Both my daughter and I (and I grew up riding horses) were so thankful that we did not choose that option as it would have been way too scary for us on horseback in that situation. We met some people that were staying at our hotel that hiked in to the base but then didn't think they could make it up so they stayed down while the rest of the tour went up, so there is always that option as it is a return trip on the same trail.
You do not need full on hiking boots. My daughter and I did it in Merrell Waterproof Moab hikers- I had ankle shoes and she had midi-boots. The midi boots were not necessary, but the shoes were perfect-actually I just bought a new pair for our return trip to Patagonia this December. My husband used Scarpa shoes (and he says that is the only pair of shoes he is taking for the return trip). On that note, I would definitely recommend that whatever shoe you choose, it be waterproof.
Also, we had used trekking poles in El Chalten but did not have them for this hike. It turned we were glad we didn't have them because we felt they would have gotten in the way. The trail to the Torres was in much better shape than the trail to Laguna de los Tres in El Chalten.
I forget when you are going but if it is high season, I would book ahead as much as possible.