Millahue Valley, Chile
Two hours south of Santiago, a titanium roof rises out of the vineyards like a sculpture. Vik Chile sits on top of a hill in the middle of an 11,000-acre estate, with the Andes on one side, a lake on the other, and nothing but vines, oak forests and silence in between. Part hotel, part art gallery, part winery, it is unlike anywhere else I know in South America.
The Property
Vik is the vision of Alexander and Carrie Vik, who searched the world for the perfect place to make a great red wine and found it in Millahue, which means “place of gold” in the Mapuche language. Around the winery they built a hotel that feels like a living art collection: paintings by Roberto Matta, an Anselm Kiefer diptych, and suites designed by different artists, each one completely unique.
The main hotel has 22 suites around a central courtyard and Zen garden, under that famous floating roof. Further out, the 15 Puro Vik glass bungalows are scattered across the hillside, and the Lodge, designed by architect Smiljan Radic, offers four suites for groups. There is the Milla Milla restaurant with views over the valley, a wine spa, an infinity pool that seems to pour into the vineyards, and a winery whose architecture is worth the visit on its own.
Why It's Here
Vik is the hotel I recommend when someone tells me they want something they’ve never seen before. Architecture, art, wine and landscape all work together here, and the effect is genuinely moving. I’d plan your days riding through the vineyards or tasting wine, and your evenings watching the sun set over the Andes from your room. It’s a beautiful match for honeymooners, wine lovers and design lovers, and an easy add-on to Santiago, just two hours away. It holds two MICHELIN Keys, and you’ll understand why the moment you arrive.
The Rooms
Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows, its own artistic theme, and views of the vineyards, the lake or the Andes.
Suite: In the main hotel, each decorated by a different Chilean artist, with a freestanding bathtub for two.
Master Suite: Only five of them, on the corners of the hotel, with double floor-to-ceiling windows and more space.
Puro Vik: Glass bungalows on the hillside with 360° views, a private terrace and an outdoor hot tub.
Lodge: A private house with four suites, a kitchen, a fireplace and two long terraces, perfect for families or friends.
My recommendation: Puro Vik. Waking up inside a glass house in the middle of the vineyards, with your own hot tub on the terrace, is what makes Vik unforgettable, and it is the ultimate choice for a honeymoon. If you prefer to be close to the pool, the restaurant and the spa, a Master Suite is a great alternative, with all the art and views of the main hotel and a bit more space. For a family or a group of friends, the Lodge gives everyone their privacy while sharing the house.
Ideal For
Honeymooners, couples celebrating something special, wine lovers and anyone who appreciates art and design. A perfect add-on to a trip to Santiago, the Atacama or Patagonia. Less ideal for families with small children in the Puro Vik bungalows (guests under 18 must stay with an adult), or for travelers who want to be close to a town: Vik is remote by design.
Good to Know
Location: Millahue Valley, near San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, in Chile’s central wine region (between the Cachapoal and Colchagua valleys)
Nearest airport: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), Santiago
Getting there: About 2 hours by car from the airport. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged.
Price: From around $700 per night. Packages can include meals, wine, winery tours and activities such as horseback riding and biking.
Best time to visit: October to April (spring to autumn). March and April are harvest season, the most special time to visit a winery.
Families: Cribs are free for children up to 3, and extra beds for children 4 to 16 are available in the Suites and Master Suites.
Book It
Ready to stay? I can book Vik Chile for you and, when available, add perks like daily breakfast, a hotel credit or an upgrade. Send me your dates and I’ll take it from there.
