5 Best Hotels in Valdivia, The Lake District

This swanky hotel is the tallest in Valdivia and thus has tremendous views no matter the vantage point. Part of Chile's Dreams casino chain, it includes a lively casino on-site. The hotel also has a nice selection of services, including a spa, gym, restaurant, and bar. It also has one of the best locations in town, both near the river and close to city center.

A good choice based on the location alone, this hotel has a superb address on the riverfront, close to the city center. The rooms are big and clean, and many of them have great views of the rivers. Breakfasts are good and service is attentive. Part of a national chain of hotels, they cater primarily to business travelers, so the ambience and furnishings are plain. 

This grand 1920s German-style house sits at Niebla's main intersection near the picturesque coastline and has been converted into a lovely bed-and-breakfast with lots of knickknacks, antiques, and cuckoo clocks in the common areas. Just a half hour drive from the center of Valdivia, the rooms have modern amenities but retain their old wood-finishing and overlook either the sea or the pool and back gardens.

Located on the banks of the Río Valdivia, this is an entertaining and pretty spot, and the hotel itself is overall one of good quality. It's an especially good place to stay in summer owing to the outdoor pool near the river. Rooms in the property's newer building are bigger, with balconies and more modern furnishings; the older rooms, in a building that dates from 1890, are smaller and a bit dated with lime-green carpeting, but they have more character and are cheaper. Service-wise, you're in good hands here: as soon as you check in, a waiter appears to offer you a welcome pisco sour.

In a near-perfect location, on a secluded spot on Isla Teja yet only eight blocks from downtown Valdivia, this highly regarded lodging has spacious, pleasant rooms decorated in soft lavender tones and views of the river. Service is exceptional. Play a few games of tennis or ride a mountain bike, then hit the pool or relax in the hot tub after a quick visit to town. Overall, this is a good value option.