---
type: "Article"
title: "Stylish Outpost: Secluded Alto Atacama Desert Lodge"
description: "Alto Atacama Desert Lodge is situated in Northern Chile, hidden at the edge of San Pedro de Atacama’s oasis. The cubic architecture contrasts spectacularly with rugged red mountains in the background. The rural yet stylish decor and a welcoming staff have you immediately feel at home in one of the driest deserts on this planet…"
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/chile/alto-atacama-desert-lodge-hotel-san-pedro-de-atacama"
author: "Katja Birrer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 14
tags: ["Desert", "Design", "Lodge", "Resort", "Rural", "Spa-Wellness", "Summer", "Chile"]
entities:
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/design"
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/resort"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/rural-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wellness-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/excursion-tips"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/architecture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/hiking"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/wilderness-safaris"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2026-07-04T13:51:59+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2013-03-25T21:52:09+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: alto-atacama-desert-lodge-hotel-san-pedro-de-atacama.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Katja Birrer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:51:59+00:00
---

# Stylish Outpost: Secluded Alto Atacama Desert Lodge

> Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa is a secluded, stylish retreat set at the edge of the San Pedro de Atacama oasis in Northern Chile, offering striking cubic architecture against red mountains and direct access to the Atacama Desert's dramatic landscapes.

## Destination
San Pedro de Atacama, Northern Chile, at the edge of the oasis in the Atacama Desert.

## Getting there
The lodge offers a pickup service from Calama airport, the nearest airport to San Pedro de Atacama.

## Why visit
To experience one of the driest deserts on earth from a comfortable and stylish base, with easy access to a remarkable variety of natural landscapes and guided excursions just minutes from the lodge.

## What to see
- **Tatio Geysers** — Visited at sunrise; one of the highlights of the Atacama excursion programme.
- **Laguna Cejar** — A salty lagoon where guests can swim in highly buoyant water.
- **Cardones Gorge** — A hiking destination featuring foxtail plants and Candelabro cactus.
- **Moon Valley** — Includes a former salt mine near San Pedro de Atacama.
- **Death Valley** — Rugged mountain scenery with views of Licancabur volcano.
- **Salar de Atacama** — Salt flat with reflections of surrounding volcanoes.
- **Pukara de Quitor** — A hilltop ruin offering panoramic lookout views.

## What to do
- **Pool lounging** — The lodge has several small, secluded pools with loungers rather than one large pool.
- **Guided desert excursions** — Arranged through excursion manager Macarena at the lodge; wide range of options available.
- **Weekly Chilean Asado** — A grill feast held once a week in the garden restaurant by the pool.
- **Spa** — The lodge has a spa available to guests.

## Good to know
Full board is recommended over bed & breakfast as San Pedro de Atacama village is several minutes away. The Arcoiris mountains and petroglyphs excursion is rated less spectacular than the others and can be skipped if time is short. Room types include private terraces; some have outdoor showers.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/pool-lounger-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Loungers by the pool and garden restaurant"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/garden-restaurant-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Garden and pool restaurant"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/parilla-grill-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Parilla by the pool restaurant"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bathroom-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Stylish bathroom"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/restaurant-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Main restaurant area with wine cellar"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bar-lounge-Alto-Atacama-hotel-San-Pedro-Atacama.jpg"
    caption: "Lounge and bar area"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Tatio-geysers-Atacama-Desert-Chile-2.jpg"
    caption: "Tatio geysers at sunrise"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Laguna-Cejar-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Swimming in salty Laguna Cejar"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/foxtail-candelabro-cactus-Cardones-gorge-Atacama-Desert.jpg"
    caption: "Foxtails and Candelabro cactus in Cardones gorge"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Awasi-excursion-4x4-San-Pedro-de-Atacama1.jpg"
    caption: "Moon valley: Visit a former salt mine near San Pedro de Atacama"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rugged-Atacama-Desert-Moon-Valley-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Death Valley: Rugged mountains in Atacama Desert and Licancabur volcano"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/salar-volcano-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "Reflecting volcanoes in Salar de Atacama"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/view-Pucara-de-Quitor-outlook-Atacama-Desert-Chile.jpg"
    caption: "View from Pucara de Quitor outlook"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/mimo/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Clive-Thomas-Dave-Daley-Alto-Atacama-excursion-van.jpg"
    caption: "Clive Thomas and Dale Daley after an excursion to Tatio geysers"
```