April 2023 | TRAVEL
TIERRA PATAGONIA
words Özlem Avcıoğlu
Staying at the Tierra Patagonia Hotel, whose architecture caught my attention years ago, was one of my biggest dreams. I might even have gone to Patagonia just for that reason! Tierra Patagonia is one of the most beautiful hotels not only in Chile but also in the world...
Torres del Paine National Park, located in Chilean Patagonia, is the most charming place in the region with its emerald green lakes, magnificent mountain ranges and wildlife. Tierra Hotel is also here, right next to the steep mountains and Sarmiento Lake, which shimmers throughout the day.
The architect of the hotel, which opened in 2012, is Cazu Zegers Arquitectura. The building takes its shape from the strong winds known for their intensity that are characteristic of the region and can even rip the hinges of car doors. Architect Cazu Zegers finds nature so fascinating that he believes there should be almost no buildings here, and he literally immerses the hotel in nature.
LOOKS LIKE AN ANIMAL FOSSIL
From the outside, the hotel looks like a fossil of a prehistoric animal, clad in fully washed lenga wood panelling, fixed to the floor with stone setts to achieve the silver color of water-worn wood. This form also encourages hotel guests to go outside.
Tierra, which has glass all over to let the view in, also has an equally attractive spa: Uma Spa. The spa's outdoor jacuzzi is the favorite place to sip a glass of Carmenere wine in the evening.
ALL 40 ROOMS HAVE A VIEW
All 40 rooms in the two-story hotel have large windows that reflect vast steppes and sky of Patagonia. Minimalist furnished rooms with wooden and sheepskin rugs are decorated in Scandinavian style.
“Sustainability” is, of course, one of the issues Tierra attaches importance to. Various methods have been used to reduce energy use. A pilot program is being carried out to test solar panels. Tierra also participated in planting one million trees in Patagonia.
