Chile Out: Chilota-Style Cabanas and Hotels in and around Castro
“The distinctive wooden architecture of the Chiloé Archipelago is a major draw for travellers to the region, who come to see the churches clad in wood shingle that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chiloé is a charmingly under-the-radar destination that’s also well worth visiting for hiking and scenery, as well as stand-out seafood. You can see Chilota architecture throughout the archipelago, but the area around regional capital Castro is a particularly good bet – and with these five hotels you can experience this unique style for yourself.
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OCIO Territorial Hotel, Quilquico
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One of the key elements of Chilota-style architecture is the use of local materials, and at OCIO Territorial Hotel this connection to the surroundings is taken one step further, with rooms inspired by wind, earth and the forest around. The hotel stands on a cliff in the woods and looks out across Castro’s fjord. Alongside the spectacular views from the picture windows you can enjoy the spa and sauna, a cosy corner in the library or fine dining in the hotel restaurant.
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Hotel Veliche, Castro
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Architectural traditions that began in the 16th century are given a contemporary twist at the Hotel Veliche, built in the classic Chilota style using local wood and other materials to create this homely, 10-room boutique hotel with great views from the terrace across the fjord. This is a great location from which to explore the attractions of Castro and elsewhere on the Chiloé Archipelago, and the hotel can organise a wide variety of excursions throughout the region.
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Palafito Verde Apart Hotel, Castro
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Alongside the ornate wooden churches, another distinctive example of Chilota-style architecture is palafitos – wooden buildings that stand on stilts above the water. At the Palafito Verde Apart Hotel you can experience living in one of these historic structures. Each of the six apartments offer fully-fitted kitchens, separate living and sleeping quarters, and a terrace or balcony overlooking the water. The hotel is on Castro’s waterfront, close to many of the attractions of the city, including the UNESCO-listed Church of San Francisco.
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Parque Quilquico, Quilquico
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The natural beauty of Chiloé is right outside the front door when you stay at Parque Quilquico, in the countryside outside Castro and occupying 10 hectares of forest park. High on a bluff overlooking the fjord, you can expect views down to the water from your room, the restaurant or the third-storey lookout lounge, with its 360-degree panoramic views of the area. Chilota-style design shapes both the architecture of the hotel, including the iconic wooden cladding, and the interiors, which are created to reflect the colours, textures and traditions of the local region.
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Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa, Quilquico
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The connection between buildings and their natural surroundings has long been a key part of Chilotan architecture. And the Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa continues in this tradition through its use of locally sourced wood and wooden shingles that have been designed to pay homage to the old fishing villages of the region. This is all part of an ecological approach to running a boutique spa hotel, which is the perfect base for really getting under the skin of the deep-rooted local culture.
Have a look at our hotels in Castro page for more options.”
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