Hotel Rey Don Felipe is housed in a striking, half-timbered building situated just two blocks from the main square in the port city of Puntas Arenas, and close to all the attractions. The first thing that greets you upon entering the hotel is a warm and welcoming lobby area, with comfortable seating by the fireside. The friendly and professional staff will give you a welcome drink, a Patagonian specialty Calafate Sour, before escorting you to your cosy room. There are 45 rooms here, ranging from standard singles, twins, doubles and triples, as well as 8 superior rooms and suites which have separate living areas and whirlpool baths. All of the ensuite rooms are simply furnished, and have amenities such as a TV and minibar; WiFi is also available in all rooms. The hotel has a convivial restaurant and bar, serving Patagonian specialties and international dishes complemented by fantastic Chilean wines. For the energetic there’s a fully equipped fitness centre, as well as a hot-tub and sauna for resting aching limbs afterwards. Puntas Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes province, Chile’s southernmost region, and sits on the fabled Strait of Magellan. The city is rich in maritime and natural history and a grand memorial to Ferdinand Magellan, a statue of him with a mermaid and two Fuegian Indians at his feet, is displayed prominently in the Plaza Munoz Gamero. There are several good museums in the city within easy reach to help you discover the history of this fascinating region.
