VIK Chile, Millahue Valley, Chile

VIK Chile is a design-led vineyard hotel in the Millahue Valley, two hours south of Santiago, and its shimmering roof of bronzed titanium, rising from a hilltop in the vineyards of central Chile, looks almost like a sculpture landed from another world, its curves echoing the folds of the surrounding hills. Created by Alexander and Carrie Vik, the hotel sits in a private 4,450-hectare estate of vineyards, forests and hills, with views of the Andes. It brings together art, architecture, wine and nature in one of the most original hotels in South America, and its winery has been named the best vineyard in the world.

Location: Millahue Valley, Chile

VIK lies in the Millahue Valley, whose name means "place of gold" in the indigenous Mapudungun language, in the O'Higgins region of Chile's Central Valley, about two hours' drive south of Santiago. The estate is framed by the Andes to the east and the coastal range towards the Pacific to the west, and its 327 hectares of vineyards are spread across a dozen microclimates.

The Colchagua Valley, one of Chile's best-known wine regions, is nearby. To be clear, this is a hill-country and vineyard setting with mountain views rather than a high-mountain hotel; the drama lies in the sweeping landscape, the Andes on the horizon and the extraordinary architecture.

Rooms and suites at VIK Chile

The hotel has 22 suites, designed by the Viks with Uruguayan architect Marcelo Daglio, each conceived as a unique installation by a different Chilean or international artist. One famous room, decorated by artist Victoria Aguirre, has a bathroom covered in 50,000 one-euro-cent coins that make the walls glimmer in copper. Corner Master Suites have sweeping views of the valley, and the owners' favourite VIK suite has a hammock-shaped bathtub facing the landscape.

Alongside the main hotel, Puro Vik offers seven glass bungalows with 180-degree views, each also designed with its own artistic concept. Only around 50 guests stay at one time, keeping the atmosphere intimate.

Facilities at VIK Chile

Art is everywhere. The reception is dominated by a monumental Anselm Kiefer work, and the collection includes pieces by the great Chilean artist Roberto Matta, among many others, while a bonsai garden fills the hotel's courtyard.

The infinity pool appears to float above the vineyards and a lake in the valley below. The Wine Spa uses VIK grapes in signature treatments, alongside massages, a sauna and a yoga studio. The fine-dining restaurant, Milla Milla, serves Chilean cuisine made with ingredients largely grown on the estate, paired with the estate's own wines, and there is a more relaxed restaurant at the winery.

The winery itself, designed by Chilean architect Smiljan Radic, is partly buried in the hillside beneath a floating translucent roof, approached across a vast reflecting pool scattered with river-rock sculptures. It uses water, light and natural cooling to regulate temperature, and wine tastings and tours are a highlight. Other activities include horse riding through the vineyards and hills, mountain biking, hiking and birdwatching.

The mountain moment

The defining moment at VIK is sunset from the infinity pool or terrace, with a glass of the estate's wine, as the light turns the vineyards gold, the titanium roof glows and the distant peaks of the Andes turn pink on the horizon. It is a moment where landscape, art and wine come together perfectly.

A horse ride through the estate's hills and forests at dawn, with the Andes rising in the distance, is equally unforgettable.

Why VIK Chile is one of the best mountain hotels

VIK earns its place in our Design-led collection as one of the most imaginative hotels in the world, combining daring architecture, a remarkable art collection and an internationally celebrated winery in a beautiful Chilean landscape. It is a destination in its own right, and an inspiring complement to time in Patagonia or the Atacama.

It is a vineyard retreat with Andes views rather than a true mountain hotel, and its bold design may not be for everyone. But for wine lovers, art lovers and anyone seeking something genuinely different, it is a highlight of any trip to Chile.

When to go to VIK Chile

VIK is open year-round, and the seasons follow the southern hemisphere. Autumn, roughly March to May, is harvest time, when the vineyards turn gold and the estate is at its most atmospheric; it is the best time for wine lovers. Spring, September to November, brings green vines, wildflowers and mild days for riding and hiking. Summer, December to February, is hot and dry, perfect for the infinity pool and long evenings on the terrace. Winter, June to August, is cooler and quieter, often with snow on the distant Andes and crisp, clear views. With only around 50 guests at a time, book ahead, especially during harvest.