Hotel Boutique La Yegua Loca, Punta Arenas

Step back in time into Patagonia's era of pioneer exploration in this family-run boutique hotel just below the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint. Walk to Cerro de la Cruz in just five minutes to take in panoramic views of Punta Arenas and the Strait of Magellan. Sites like the central square of Plaza Muñoz Gamero and the waterfront path of Costanera are 15 minutes or less on foot. Nature lovers can drive to the Magellan National Reserve in 15 minutes or reach the port of Tres Puentes in the same amount of time to catch a boat to Magdalena Island.

Two siblings have transformed their family home, built in 1929, into a charming 15-room boutique hotel that pays homage to their family's ranching history. The hotel feels like a Patagonian saloon thanks to its cowboy style of iron furnishings, wooden and leather pieces, and vintage objects like old posters, sewing tables, and studded belts. The rooms are rustic, cozy, and comfortable. All are doubles, featuring bright natural light and rainfall showers. Some, like the Stable and Braider, have balconies with panoramic views.

Grab a drink or bite in the hotel's restaurant, which offers a tasty mix of traditional and local cuisine and epic views of the city. There's no elevator, so guests must take the stairs to their rooms, but the hotel cleverly uses a pulley system to transfer luggage upstairs. Details like this, plus the hospitality of the staff and the care and thoughtfulness put into the space, make this a serene and memorable stay in Punta Arenas.