Noi Puma Lodge

The food was probably the best we had on our whole trip through Chile and Argentina, and everyone we met at Puma Lodge was warm and kind, despite reviews we’d read about staff problems. We wished we could’ve stayed longer, especially with the mountain hike starting right at the lodge. We’d suggest walking it counterclockwise: the soft ground under the trees is hard going uphill and easier on the way down. We also got there in a basic Hyundai sedan, taking the final few kilometers slowly. A 4x4 may be needed in some conditions, but with good weather and care, it was doable for us. The outdoor hot tub costs extra, though the mountain views made it well worth it. There’s a simple mini golf course too, a fun extra that could use some maintenance. Great value for the price, and we’d love to come back.

The views were beautiful, the food was good, and they managed our dietary restrictions. But the checkout turned the stay into a terrible, unreliable experience. The hotel tried to charge us twice and couldn’t find our reservation. They hadn’t mentioned any problem at check-in, then suggested a “retention fee” for things we’d already paid for. We showed them the bank transfer and proof of payment. A month after the trip, they were still “solving” it because the international payment record was in another language. Of course other countries use other languages, and visitors come from abroad. I could translate the proof at checkout with Google Translate, and it clearly showed the payment. I’ve never had to spend time proving I paid for a hotel, and I won’t deal with this place again.

We had a lovely weekend getaway for two nights. The setting is stunning, the staff are really friendly, and the food is good with vegan-friendly options. One small change would make the stay more eco-friendly: please remove the disposable cups on excursions.

The stars were all clear overhead, and the Cypress forest trek had wonderful viewpoints. Our guide said the horse ride follows that same route, then continues farther up and crosses the river. The spa massage was excellent too. The experienced masseuses completely eased my fatigue. We came in an SUV without trouble, though the road was very bad and the last five minutes were challenging, with a steep uphill stretch. At the end, the hotel and its beautiful surroundings made it worth the drive. The staff gave excellent service with big smiles. I had a great time and can strongly recommend this lodge.