Calling Awasi the epitome of hospitality would be mundane. There are very very few “hotels/resorts” you will ever visit that will leave you feeling – “Why am I checking out of home?”

Personally I have never felt this way in any of my stays across my travels.

Before I move on to explain the marvel of Torres Del Paine, Patagonia, Chile, I want to devote a post to explain the wonder of Awasi.
Awasi Patagonia is part of Relais and Chateaux collection, set in the isolated, peaceful and stunning backdrop of Estancia Tercera Barranca.

Enclosed by pastures, lakes, wildlife and mountains this property is all you can dream off and then some more.

The lodge houses a total of 14 villa, where each villa is assigned a private guide and 4WD to ensure complete customization of experience.

Our guides (who felt like family soon enough) picked us up from Puerto Natales and we split in two groups – my brother and I and my parents.

As we rode through the stunning ranches, we started talking about each other and why we were at Awasi. Our guides pet name was Lalo, he was kind, welcoming, warm and lively.

“We are here to serve you, anything you need” were the first few words by our French Matier de, as we entered the property.

This place was literally about “anything we needed.” So much so that the Michelin star chef there worked through the afternoon to satisfy my dad’s craving of Indian style chicken curry with roti to his usual European affair.

Every evening there was a mixologist whipping up some unusual cocktails made with local herbs and liquor. Malbec and Syrah were free flowing with delectable tapas. I fell in love the sommelier Francesca, not once in my 5 day stay did I have to specify what I wanted she always came up with the most luscious wine perfect for my palate.

After one of our excursions we returned to the hotel at 4 pm. I was greeted by this –

Each villa had a wooden bathtub outside, we could ask the the staff to prepare hot baths before our return from the excursion. This is what it looked like –

More than the sheer luxury of it all, Awasi has a spectacular team of compassionate, attentive and knowledgeable people who just care a great deal about each moment you spend with them.

Awasi was something I had never experienced before and something I hope to again.

There is more to this destination than a hotel (imagine that), next post coming up on – glaciers, fossils and a13 km trek.

This experience was originally published in www.apoorvamittal.com