Silversea is venturing into new (and rather faraway) territory.
The Monaco-based cruise line, which has offered luxurious ocean expeditions for the past three decades, just announced it is building “the southernmost hotel on Earth.” Located in Puerto Williams, Chile, the 150-key property will enhance the cruise line’s Antarctica expedition experience by providing guests with a swish place to stay as they traverse the White Continent.
Puerto Williams sits on the remote southern tip of the South American continent, making it the world’s southernmost city. Silversea is currently the only cruise line with ships that homeport in Puerto Williams during the Antarctica season. Guests embarking on the cruise line’s innovative Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program will also fly directly to the city from Chile’s capital Santiago. Cruise-goers can use the yet-to-be-named hotel as a base camp while they explore the far-flung region.
A view of Puerto Williams and the Beagle Channel.
Rosemary Calvert/Getty
Nestled amid a thick forest, the property will offer spectacular views of the Beagle Channel and the snow-capped Patagonian mountains. The building itself will take design cues from the local architecture and incorporate materials from the area to ensure it blends with the surrounding environment. In addition to the 150 rooms, the interior will include an expansive restaurant ideal for group gatherings, a bar and lounge, a fitness center, and a gift shop stocked with creations by local artisans.
Beyond the hotel, guests will have a full run of the unscathed Chilean region. You can head to the nearby Torres del Paine National Park to see breathtaking blue-white glaciers and towering Andean peaks, for instance. You can also check out the other wonders of Antarctica, such as uninhabited islands, magnificent icescapes, and diverse wildlife.
“We’re thrilled to enhance the Antarctic travel experience by offering seamless journeys that remove traditional barriers for guests to this region,” Silversea president Bert Hernandez said in a statement. “This development not only differentiates us from other polar expeditions but also reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence as Silversea continues to set the standard in experiential luxury travel.”
The hotel, which will be built in partnership with a consortium of Chilean investors, has an optimistic opening date of the end of 2025. Construction is already underway, so that ambitious goal could very well become a reality.
