Isla Las Bandurrias

The Lakes District


Surrounded by the mountains some 20km or so from the Argentine border, the 4-hectare Isla Las Bandurrias' cinematic island setting is its selling point, but whether you're in the lovely main home or the idyllic cabin, rustic-chic furnishings and recycled design elements coupled with French antiques and wooden stoves aplenty make for the ultimate, solar-powered nature retreat.

It sure as hell ain't easy to get to and all the better for it. The late mother of OpenTravel's Cathy Berard built this little isolated patch of paradise in the middle of Lago Las Rocas, 20km south of Llanada Grande, from reclaimed cypress logs rescued from the lake and a fierce, off-the-grid determination. It's pricey, but the bill includes three meals (with wine) and afternoon tea, but not the boat transfer across Lago Las Rocas, which is CH$15,000 for up to eight people, arranged by OpenTravel.