3 Best Hotels in San Fernando, The Central Valley

With a grand, swooping titanium roof and rooms that are individually decorated by different artists, this statement hotel is one of Chile's most luxurious. There's a newer wing of seven glass-walled bungalows (called Puro Vik), plus a fleet of fine horses at your beck and call, a state-of-the-art winery, a spa with vinotherapy, and an infinity pool that drops off into the lush valley below. Guests on the all-inclusive hotel plan will enjoy fine dining with VIK's wine included at the superb on-site restaurant, which prides itself on sourcing locally and organically, often from the garden on the grounds.

This tastefully restored 17th-century hacienda is one of the oldest in Chile, and its sweeping 20,000-acre estate exudes an old-world charm. There are 70 horses at your beck and call, antique-filled rooms with cozy fireplaces, and polite service. Overnight guests enjoy brass, four-poster beds, chimneys in each room, a large swimming pool, and beautiful woodlands with nature trails and hillsides to explore on foot, bike, or horseback. Don't miss out on their four-course lunches and dinners for a flavor of the aristocratic life. The location, just five minutes from Ruta 5, makes it an ideal base for exploring nearby wineries, olive oil mills, and thermal baths.

This peaceful family-run lodge is set high in the mountains and surrounded by a private estate of woodland, trout-filled rivers, waterfalls, and swimming holes. The ranch-chic design is welcoming, as are the expat hosts, who have installed a beautiful garden with old trees, a log-burning outdoor hot tub, and large swimming pool. Outdoor activities include horseback riding, trekking, and a guided evening astronomy tour; indoor activities are strictly oriented around relaxation, log fires, and rummaging through the locally stocked wine cellar.