The new construction in Puerto Williams, Chile, will offer an exclusive experience before and after expeditions to Antarctica, combining luxury and nature at the end of the world.
Overlooking the Beagle Channel and surrounded by pristine forest, the hotel will have panoramic views of the water and the snow-capped Patagonian mountains. Amenities include a restaurant large enough for group gatherings, a bar and lounge, and a fitness center. The gift shop will feature handicrafts and artwork by local artists.
Silversea has been offering what it calls “luxury expedition experiences” to the polar regions for more than 15 years. With compact, yet all-suite ships including the Silver Endeavour , Silver Wind and Silver Cloud , the company offers a variety of Antarctic voyages ranging from six to 20 days. Silversea claims to have a crew-to-guest ratio of close to 1:1, including butler service for every suite.
Why a hotel? Silversea is the only cruise line to homeport in Puerto Williams during the Antarctic season. Located in the sub-Antarctic zone of the Chilean Patagonia region at the southern tip of South America , Puerto Williams serves as a gateway for travelers looking to explore the world’s least-visited continent. It can be reached by air with DAP Airlines («Experience Patagonia») or, for the more adventurous, by Zodiac across the Beagle Channel , weather permitting.
For Silversea, the idea is to control the entire experience, ensuring that guests enjoy its luxury hospitality throughout the journey. The Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program , which the company describes as the fastest and most direct route to Antarctica, flies directly to Puerto Williams from Santiago , the capital of Chile. Silversea offers Antarctica voyages ranging from six to twenty days. The company explains that for those with limited time, this program allows them to skip sailing through the Drake Passage and fly conveniently direct to Antarctica to begin their expedition.
The new hotel will allow guests to arrive before their Silversea cruise to Antarctica, or stay before their return home. Luxury polar region packages (an 18-day itinerary on Silver Wind starts at $24,000 per guest) are designed to immerse travelers in the natural wonders of Antarctica, where they can discover uninhabited islands, snow-capped mountains, towering ice landscapes and a vast diversity of wildlife.
Silversea is one of five cruise brands owned by global cruise giant Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). The new 150-room hotel will be built in partnership with a consortium of Chilean investors, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The start of construction was celebrated with a ceremony attended by the partners, along with Chilean and local government representatives.
Bert Hernandez , President of Silversea, said: «This development not only sets us apart from other polar expeditions, but also reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence as Silversea continues to set the standard in experiential luxury travel.»
The company says it is committed to fostering long-term partnerships with the communities of Puerto Williams. The goal is to «work alongside local stakeholders to create opportunities for economic growth while preserving the unique cultural heritage and minimizing the environmental impact in the area.»
The company has a website dedicated to Antarctica and its voyages there. You can find more information about Silversea’s Antarctica voyages here.
Jason Liberty , President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, commented: «This new hotel allows us to offer an unrivaled Antarctic expedition, further enriching our diverse portfolio of world-class vacations across our brands. By partnering with our experienced teams in Chile, we are providing our guests with a unique opportunity to explore one of the most stunning and remote destinations in the world, delivering on our promise to deliver memorable vacations.»
