Luxury accommodation in the Atacama Desert
Tierra Atacama Returns
After a year-long beauty sleep and a USD$20 million spa treatment Tierra Atacama reopened on April 1, 2025, looking, frankly, fabulous. Located in a lush little pocket of oasis in the middle of Chile’s famously parched Atacama Desert (the world’s driest nonpolar desert, no less), this beloved luxury lodge is back and better than ever. She’s been moisturised, feng shui-ed, and gently zhuzhed to within an inch of perfection.
Baillie Lodge’s collection includes Tierra Atacama
Tierra Atacama is part of Baillie Lodges, the Australian-born collection known for creating places that blend eco-conscious design with the kind of luxury that’s more woven alpaca throws and handmade ceramics than gold taps and champagne fountains. Which is to say: it’s stylish, clever and quietly breathtaking.
This renovation is no mere coat of paint. The entire property has been reimagined with a light touch and serious intention. Spearheaded by Tierra founder Miguel Purcell who, like all good visionaries, seems both entirely grounded and slightly ethereal, the transformation honours the lodge’s roots while gently elevating everything from the thread count to the guest experience.
Views to the Licancabur Volcano and the Andes
You’ll still find panoramic views of the Licancabur Volcano and the Andes through floor-to-ceiling windows, but now they’re framed by chic travertine from nearby Calama and bespoke furniture crafted by more than 40 Chilean artisans. Every piece tells a story some with vibrant colour, others with raw texture, but all of it saying “this place matters.”
The number of suites has been strategically downsized from 32 to 28 (because let’s be honest, nothing says “exclusive” like fewer people at breakfast). The four new premium suites come with private plunge pools and their own guide and vehicle ideal if you prefer your solitude with a side of curated stargazing and on-demand desert adventures.
And speaking of indulgence: the dining has had a glow-up, too. An open grill now crackles beside the main restaurant, serving local dishes with a smoky wink to tradition, while the newly installed wine cellar is stocked with the best of Chilean viticulture. There’s also an open kitchen, where guests can watch the chefs work their magic, a delightful bit of theatre that says, “Yes, you’re on holiday, but you’re also part of the story.”
A spa in the Atacama Desert
Naturally, the spa has been reborn as a proper sanctuary (with a couples’ treatment room for those who wish to bliss out in tandem), and the new sunken lounge offers the perfect perch for sipping, chatting, or simply contemplating the sky which, in the Atacama, is less a ceiling and more a cosmic spectacular. The stargazing here is famously otherworldly, and now guests can do it while half-reclined on something stylish with a glass of something excellent in hand. Bliss.
The architectural reins were once again handed to Matías González, co-designer of the original lodge, ensuring the new elements are a continuation, not an intrusion. Interiors have been lovingly curated by Carolina Delpiano, who has worked with Tierra since day one and clearly knows how to blend comfort, culture and quiet wow-factor. And if you’re wondering about the landscape (as any self-respecting design tragic should be), it’s been shaped by Teresa Moller, who knows how to make native plants feel like old friends.
Perhaps most hearteningly, the soul of Tierra Atacama hasn’t changed a bit. Built on the site of a centuries-old cattle corral, the lodge still incorporates its original adobe walls and remains deeply embedded in the story of San Pedro de Atacama, a town where descendants of the Inca and Aymará peoples still shape the rhythms and traditions of daily life.
Miguel Purcell discusses the Tierra Atacama refurbishments
Miguel Purcell is clear: “We didn’t just want to renovate. We wanted to honour the landscape, the community, and the vision that’s been here since the beginning.” And they have. From using regional materials and artisans to working with local builders, the entire project has been a model of respectful collaboration.
In short: Tierra Atacama isn’t just back, it’s radiant. Elegant without arrogance. Luxurious without bling. And steeped in a sense of place so tangible you could bottle it.
It’s the kind of escape that makes you feel grounded, inspired, and a little reluctant to leave. But then again, there’s always next time.
To book, visit www.tierrahotels.com, email info@tierrahotels.com, or call +562 6469 0518. But fair warning: once you’re there, you may never want to come back.
