YAN KEE WAY LODGE BUNGALOW

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of places around Puerto Varas, but Yan Kee Way Lodge really surprised me – and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first pulled up that gravel driveway on Ruta 225. The thing is, being 42 kilometers out from town means you’re actually getting into the real Patagonian countryside, where the air smells like eucalyptus and wet earth, and you can hear the Petrohué River if you listen carefully. The bungalows themselves are tucked into this forest setting that feels completely private – I mean, you’re not hearing your neighbors through thin walls here. Each cabin has this rustic-modern thing going on with heavy wooden beams and surprisingly good lighting (you know how some “rustic” places leave you squinting to read at night). The beds are actually comfortable, which… well, let’s just say that’s not always a given in this part of Chile.

What really gets me about this place is how they’ve managed to feel remote without being inconvenient. Yeah, you’re a bit of a drive from Puerto Varas proper, but that’s kind of the point – you’re positioned perfectly for hitting Petrohué Falls or getting an early start toward Osorno Volcano without dealing with the tourist crowds that clog up the main town routes by 10 AM. The staff here actually knows the area, too. I asked about a hiking trail I’d heard about and the guy at reception didn’t just point vaguely – he drew me a little map and told me exactly where to park and which fork to take. That kind of local knowledge is worth its weight in gold when you’re trying to make the most of your time in the Lakes District. The common areas have these massive windows that frame Osorno perfectly on clear days, and there’s something about sipping coffee while watching the light change on that snow cap that makes you forget about your phone for a while.

I’ll be straight with you – this isn’t the place if you want to roll out of bed and walk to restaurants and shops. You’re committing to the car for meals and supplies, though honestly, the peace and quiet more than make up for it. The hot water pressure is solid (crucial after a day of hiking), and they’ve got decent WiFi if you absolutely need it, but the real draw is just… disconnecting a bit. I stayed here in March and again in July, and both times I found myself staying an extra night just because leaving felt wrong somehow. For the price point and that 8.8 rating, it’s hitting way above its weight class – especially if you’re the type who came to Patagonia for the landscapes, not the nightlife.