If you’re like me, you begin fantasizing about summer before winter has even really begun. This series of posts will highlight dreamy places to travel in warm (or hot) climates, perfect for a seasonal getaway with friends, a beachy escape, or even somewhere spectacular to visit any time of year. For another place to escape the winter blues, also try Al Suave house in El Salvador.
Dreaming of Summer at Our Habitas in Atacama, Chile
Situated among a range of landscapes from desert (the Atacama is the driest non-polar desert on earth) and salt flats to geysers and hot springs, the Our Habitas Atacama is a place to enjoy warm temperatures (high temps in the upper 70s to mid 80s throughout the winter) and dazzling scenery. If you’re the outdoorsy type, there’s hiking, biking, and even sand-boarding. Super clear skies make it a great place for stargazing. If you’re not sportif, there’s a pool and wellness area (and walks, which are stunning no matter what). The whole place has an earthy, chill vibe, with stucco and stone walls, muted colors, and soft lighting.
An Eco-Conscious Stay
The place, part of the Our Habitas group, is also highly eco-conscious: they avoid taking down trees when building their resorts, and plant an equal amount for any they do need to remove. The place is single-use plastic-free, and they implement a water management plan. The Atacama is located away from major cities and receives almost no rain, with 300 cloudless nights a year, at about 8,000 feet above sea level. The hotel group even has its own impact initiative, called RISE, that creates economic and educational opportunities for local communities.
Everything is local, including furnishings sourced through local artisans. Fabrics are dyed using natural materials, rooms are simple but striking. Food in the restaurant and cocktails at the bar use locally grown, seasonal ingredients. The property maintains a native herb garden as well, adding authentic touches to the cuisine.
When you’re not on a hike or relaxing in the wellness center, there are workshops devoted to local ceramics, cooking the region’s dishes, and learning about medicinal plants, and more. Nearby attractions include a pre-Columbian archaeological site (Pukará de Quitor); a rocky plateau perfect for taking in the sunsets (Mirador de Kari); and a valley with stone and sand formations (Elle Valle de la Luna).
For those that fall in love with the place and the experience, there are many other properties in the Our Habitas world, including locations in Mexico, Costa Rica, Morocco, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, the US, and more.
Story by Stephen Treffinger
Photo courtesy of Our Habitas
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