I was invited to meet the Vira Vira hotel, a Relais Chateaux in Pucón, Chile. From the information and photos, it seemed like a very beautiful place, but I didn’t imagine it would be extraordinary. Pucón is an hour and a half by flight from Santiago (Tejuco airport), plus an hour and a half by car. The neighboring city is called Villarica, named after the volcano, a major attraction in the region and responsible for a breathtaking landscape.
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The Farm Hotel
The farm hotel was opened two years ago by a Swiss man, passionate about the project and who lives there day-to-day. He is involved in everything surrounding the property. In an area of 22 hectares, the Turn turn (name of a floor plan) has six suites in the main building, where the restaurant and bar are also located, in a huge room, with several charming spaces and an integrated reception.
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Vira Vira’s rooms and villas
Outside, a river, lots of greenery and the 12 suites, the apple of the hotel’s eye. Super comfortable rooms, measuring 75 m2, facing the Liucura River, with a never-tiring view that just calms us down and makes us forget about everyday problems.
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The room has a very cozy decor, ideal for winter days, with lots of wool and blankets spread around. There is a coffee maker and minibar, all included. And the sweetheart were the decorative sheep, as cute as it could be!
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The bathroom has two sinks, a shower and a jacuzzi outside during the summer. There is a small sofa integrated into the bed, perfectly placed to enjoy the view, relax, read, date and contemplate nature, facing the river. There is only one thing common in other hotel rooms that is not found in Turn turn: television. But I confess that she didn’t miss it in the slightest. I didn’t even notice the absence, to tell the truth.
What caught my attention the most about hotel, however, good taste reigned. There was nothing I didn’t like in terms of decoration or use of the space. Lots of wood, stone, leather, wool, tapestry and local crafts, which blend perfectly with the environment. The owners – a Swiss couple, very present throughout the project, by the way – made a point of using pieces made by local artisans. And the furniture was all made to order. Result: the Turn turn managed to mix the rustic with the Lux, without being tacky, without being wasteful. Everything in such a natural and cozy way, which makes us feel at home.
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The gastronomy of Vira Vira
Another asset of the hotel is the gastronomy. The farm has plantations, sheep farming, a dairy and a cheese factory. Which means that the food is all organic, made with more than fresh products and that make all the difference in our taste. Its kitchen uses 99% local ingredients, harvested or produced on the spot.
How can you not miss the delicious warm bread before each meal, the butter that you can eat with a prayer, the tastiest eggs in the world, the cheeses, the lamb, the salmon, all the vegetables very well prepared and with taste, a lot of taste. Work by the young Uruguayan chef Alberto Damian Fernandez Dupouy. He commands the kitchen with mastery and brings a French touch to the table, especially when it comes to the elaborate sauces.
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Meals at Turn turn They work as follows: every day there is a different menu for lunch and dinner, prepared by the chef. He creates cuisine that brings old recipes with a modern touch. As there is only one menu per meal, guests with dietary restrictions must notify them in advance and they will be promptly attended to.
Before dinner, we are always invited to try local drinks, made by the bartender. It became a very nice ritual for our group of bloggers.
This means that the Vira Vira Relais Chateaux It’s a hotel all inclusive. You can even pay the daily rate, which costs around US$300 but it’s not worth it, as you’ll have to pay for all the meals out of pocket. Every day, breakfast, lunch and dinner times are written on a friendly blackboard at reception. To get an idea of prices – which vary depending on the season – a 5-night package costs an average of US$3,880 per person.
Activities at Vira Vira
This also counts towards the numerous activities offered by the hotel, such as rafting, floating, horse riding or cycling, fishing, snowshoeing, tracking, visits to thermal waters and volcanic caves… During winter, it is also possible to ski in the surrounding area. Villarrica volcano or climb it. For more information, visit the official Pucón ski website.
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In other words, we don’t die of boredom. There will certainly be an activity that suits your taste.
Like himself hotel describes, it is the “elegance of adventure”. The tours are all personalized, with specialized and very helpful guides, who really take care of you. Don’t be surprised if he ends up with a well-produced picnic by the river, complete with a glass of wine or local beer and a thousand treats. I tried some of them, as you can see in the photos.
A true Relais Chateaux
A stay at Turn turn It is capable of pleasing all tastes: be it those who go in search of peace and relaxation or those who cannot sit still and want to make the most of the day in the best possible way.
And at the hotel itself, cooking classes for children and adults are also offered – and wine tasting – like the one we had the pleasure of trying with the friendly chef Damián Fernández, followed by an unforgettable dinner!
They are taught in a separate house, quite cute, by the way, where occasional painting, sewing and weaving classes also take place.
It’s worth remembering that although I went in winter, the high season hotel It’s in the summer, when the landscape is even happier.
What to do in Pucón
Nearby, it is also worth visiting the center of Pucón, to see the typical shops. The local brewery, Crater, is a very interesting and fun program. 10 years old, the factory produces 14 types of beers and 18 thousand liters per month. To go there, just call and schedule a visit.
Whether in summer or winter, a trip to Pucon for 3, 4 days and a stay at hotel Vira Vira, it’s really worth it. You can’t forget the incredible landscapes, haute cuisine and luxurious accommodation with maximum comfort.
Text and Photos by Renata Araujo
The reporter traveled at the invitation of Leroy Viagens, a luxury travel agency in Belo Horizonte, which serves all of Brazil and suggests personalized itineraries.
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