The Singular Patagonia Puerto Bories S/N, Patagonia, | Chile From ÂŁ340 per room per night By Gabriel O'Rorke | Posted: Wednesday 11 April 2012
Newly opened in November 2011, The Singular is a renovated cold-storage plant on the shores of Last Hope Sound, just outside the town of Puerto Bories in southern Patagonia. The concept of a factory-turned-hotel may sound a little odd, but in reality it means lots of space, history and just the right amount of quirkiness. Built by the British in 1915, this long red-brick building was used to process wool and meat which was then shipped back home. After almost 70 years in operation, it was declared a national historic landmark and has now been transformed into a hotel which pays homage to its history - the hallways are filled with original Victorian machinery (wheels, steam condensers, boilers and forges) all of which are stamped with their places of origin, like Derby, Birmingham, London and Glasgow.
In contrast, is the new wing, which has 57 bedrooms and the biggest spa in Patagonia (3,000-square-feet). In keeping with the past, the corridors have industrial-looking stainless steel walls, and the bedrooms are furnished with solid Victorian-style furniture. Full-length windows give the bedrooms a ‘capsule’ feel and make the most of the views over the fjord. Most guests book all-inclusive stays and spend the days on the hotel’s excursions which include hiking, biking, boating and visiting Torres del Paine National Park. After a long day in the elements, the spa with its sauna, steam room and swimming pool is the perfect place for warming up and chilling out. What’s hot? - The Victorian machinery in the hallways - The bedside notes giving snippets of the hotel's and region's history - The enormous beds and huge windows overlooking the water - The excursions - especially horse riding and visiting a cave in which giant sloths lived 10,000 years ago - Relaxing in the spa after a day exploring Patagonia What’s not? - The price tag - The swimming pool is quite small – surprising given all the space - This part of the world was previously thought to be uninhabitable, so bring plenty of clothes and be prepared for grey skies, high winds and unpredictable weather Need to Know: The Singular Patagonia Number of rooms: 54 Check-in/check-out times: 3pm and 12noon Swimming pool: Yes Spa: Yes Dogs welcome: No Eating and drinking: The spacious restaurant has an open kitchen and plenty of different seating options (from high stools, to big comfy seats and dining room tables). There is a long bar at one end where guests can settle in with an aperitif or partake in beer and wine-tasting evenings. Near to? A whole lot of nothing. Remoteness aside, the hotel is a few minutes outside Puerto Bories, and two hours’ drive from Punta Arenas - where there's an airport with frequent flights from Santiago.
Getting there: LAN (0800 977 6100; Lan.com ) flies from London Heathrow to Santiago via Madrid. Once on the ground, it is a three-hour flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. The Singular will arrange airport transfers. The ELLE Edit Best room: There are 54 rooms and three suites.The style is similar in all the rooms, and all have stand-alone baths and huge beds, but the difference lies in space - the suites measure 70 square metre and come with vast windows and expansive living rooms. Best dish: Chef Laurent Pasqualetto changes the menu daily and uses local produce and recipes where possible. The soups are delicious (think carrot and ginger ) and the beetroot gnocchi is not to be missed. Also, make the most of the Chilean wine. Fashion/design credentials: Designed by renowned Chilean interior designer Enrique Concha and local architect Pedro Kovacic, the building’s historical role gives an extra dimension to this luxury hotel. The combination of original machinery and replica Victorian furniture alongside modern-day comforts and excellent service gives a feeling of complete rest and escapism. Who stays here?Wealthy Chileans and Europeans who come to explore the region, some with a particular interest in historical ties; honeymooners looking to come to the one of the most wild and woolly parts of the globe to share their early days of marital bliss.