Eolo Glamping Review

Arriving to Eolo in Patagonia’s La Anita valley is unlike any other hotel approach experience out there. Surrounded with nothing but windswept pampas and the peaks of the region’s iconic mountains as far as the eye can see, it’s hard to imagine that a luxurious property even exists round these parts. Surprising guests is part of what makes Eolo so alluring.

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After driving around, seeing nothing but the natural glory of Argentine Patagonia, Eolo appears as if out of nowhere, this low-lying lodge modeled after a classic sheep farm, an unexpected refuge in a desolate yet beautiful locale.

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Located 30 kilometers west of El Calafate, the touristy nucleus of this pocket of Patagonia where there are meaty restaurants and shops for souvenirs or whatever you may have forgotten to pack for the trip, Eolo really does act like a tucked away retreat. Set on a private 4,000-hectare estate with virtually no visible neighbor, you can’t dream up more reclusive accommodations in a region known for providing travelers with space, especially in the luxury market. And with only 17 private suites, things don’t ever get crowded at this property.

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Once you get inside, it’s all about subtle design touches, giving Eolo the warm intimacy of a private home. Worn-but-refined leather furniture, complementary antiques, carved wood, crisp linen, patterned area rugs and plush animal hide combine to create an atmosphere that honors the destination in a luxurious and relaxing way. There’s never too much to look but everything works together to deliver one design narrative: that there’s harmony between what’s inside and out.

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Private rooms are spacious and chic with beds facing floor-to-ceiling windows. (And the corner rooms get two!) There’s no hiding of Patagonia here. Same in the bathrooms, which are simple and rustic-looking. The showers come equipped with eye-level windows so there’s really no getting away from glorious views of the outdoors. And depending on which room you have, you could be peeking at Lago Argentino, La Anita valley, the Torres del Paine or the Rico branch.

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This is a Relais & Chateaux property so you know that food is going to be exceptional. Breakfast is a wonderful start to the day with a ton of sun usually flooding the dining room as you while away on fresh juices and flakey pastries.

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Your day will likely be spent on a excursion so Eolo can prepare a gourmet picnic lunch, which you’ve selected the day before, ticking little boxes to say you want sun-dried tomatoes in your sandwich and a brownie for dessert. You may not be at the hotel when you enjoy these treats, but the meticulously prepared boxes is one of the best examples of how exceptional the service is at Eolo. You feel like you’re being taken care of, even when you’re miles away from the staff.

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Dinner service is when Eolo’s full culinary prowess is unleashed when a menu of locally sourced deliciousness will be on offer. Each course provides a handful of choices – if you’re staying a few days you can sample them all – that will satisfy even picky eaters among us.

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A starter could be grilled local vegetables or soup while Patagonian lamb is usually among the options for a main course; but you are in Argentina, perhaps a perfectly seasoned cut of steak is the unbeatable choice. And don’t forget the wine. Eolo boasts a selection of vintages sourced from all over the great wine-making regions of the country.

Taming the Wilds of Patagonia

The most extreme and breathtaking landscapes don’t always come right out and present themselves–you have to track them down (often with a little help from the experts).  For our trip to Torres del Paine, Chile’s most remote and alluring national park, EcoCamp Patagonia was our outfitter of choice. Their professional guides and luxurious accommodations turned what seemed like a wild abyss, into an inviting, indulgent, and invigorating oasis.

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The five-star treatment started with a hotel pick-up all the way in El Calafate, Argentina and being shepherded across the Chilean border to Puerto Natales. There we were greeted with another chauffeur who dropped us off at the cutest gourmet cafe to regain our strength and get a taste of the incredible Chilean wines and meals to come.

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Our drive to EcoCamp kept our jaws agape for the entire ride. The massive mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and soaring condors had us pulling over for photo stops every couple miles. Thank goodness for a patient driver!

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EcoCamp is made of geodesic dome structures, inspired by the sturdy, agile, and natural homes of a 15th-century nomadic Patagonian tribes. Leaving as little footprint as possible, all amenities are powered by solar and hydro energy and the camp’s sophisticated compost system combats nearly all waste.

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As fate would have it, EcoCamp officially refers to their style of lodging as “Glamping” and in the most luxurious sense of the word. Our honeymoon-worthy Suite Dome had a massive canopy bed with the coziest bedding, a fireplace, and chic lighting to set the mood.

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Then for the ultimate feature…an unobstructed view to the majestic Torres. The three jagged peaks are the “towers” that give the park its name and much of its allure.

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There are infinite adventures to be had in Torres del Paine and your fun, friendly and knowledgeable guides can help make any of them possible—from the iconic “W” trek around the Torres to Patagonia Puma tracking. To get our bearings we started with the scenic drive through Torres del Paine National Park and a sunset sail to Glacier Grey. Our guides gave us a great overview of the park pointing out the various peaks, available hikes, lakes and the llama’s adorable cousin, the Guancos.

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We arrived to the harbor and felt that between the floating icebergs and the stunning Almirante Nieto peaks, we could have gone home happy…but the gorgeous Glacier Grey was waiting for us in the distance.

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As we sailed closer to Grey and as its electric blue crevasses came into focus, we began to grasp the magnitude of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field: the second largest contiguous extrapolar ice field left in existence. To top off the day, the crew served everyone a round of whiskey on the rocks (aka mini glacial icebergs).

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Unlike most hotels, EcoCamp makes camaraderie amongst fellow glampers a top priority. Every night a cocktail hour is held in the Core Dome where everyone gathers for Pisco Sours, a bounty of appetizers (scallops, cheese, olives, meats, the works!), and to recount stories from their day exploring the park. Dinner follows, serving delights like quinoa gnocci and grilled lamb paired with Chilean wine (all included in the price of your stay).

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As much as we would have loved to stay a week to trek “The W,” we got a taste with a fabulous day hike to the base of the Torres. Ascending the gorgeous and windswept moraine (Patagonia vocab word meaning a U-shaped valley shaped by a glacier), we arrived to the namesake towers.  The vista literally took our breath away as we stared at the raw cliff face, teal lakes, and snow-capped peaks.

Patagonia is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet, with Torres del Paine its crown jewel…but it’s the accommodations, cuisine, service and expert guiding of EcoCamp that truly made this place shine.