There are plenty of luxurious and beautiful hotels around the world. But we’re most impressed by hotels that heighten the travel experience. The ones that change how you think about travel. Ovo Patagonia does just that. This isn’t a hotel you can just book. You have to earn your stay. And you do so with a hike and a via ferrata. When you’re standing on a thin ledge looking down at the cliffs below, held in place by a cord and a harness, you’ll know you’re having an experience that will live rent-free in your mind forever. And that’s the kind of hotel stay we can’t get enough of.
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What Is Ovo Patagonia?
Ovo Patagonia is a hotel suspended approximately 900 feet in the air, attached to the side of a cliff. And there’s no car, plane, or train that can drop you there. You arrive on foot. It’s essentially a pod with three separate levels. One to sleep in, one to lounge in, and a netted level at the bottom to feel the full thrill of the height. Ovo Patagonia is located in El Chalten, Santa Cruz, Argentina. And one of the best parts of the stay is the clear view of Mount Fitz Roy you’re bound to get from your bedroom.
It’s a remote hotel with spectacular views, where the journey to get there is just as important as the stay itself. And the feeling of accomplishment you’ll get upon arrival will be completely unmatched.
Who Ovo Patagonia Is For (and Who Should Skip It)
You might be asking yourself, “Why on Earth would someone stay there?!” Or you’re thinking, “I’ve got to add this to my bucket list.” Or you might lie somewhere in between. Here’s how to decide if Ovo Patagonia is for you.
Ovo Patagonia is perfect if you:
- Crave visceral travel experiences you’ll never forget
- Are a thrill seeker who is comfortable with heights (or is at least willing to face heights)
- Love dramatic landscapes and views that few others can get
- Appreciate thoughtful service over polished luxury
This is not the right stay if you:
- Get sick at the thought of heights
- Hate wind, cold weather, or unpredictability
- Need luxurious amenities
How to Get to Ovo Patagonia
The journey to the Ovo Patagonia hotel begins in El Chaltén. From there, you’ll be taken in a 4×4 across the Patagonian terrain as far as a vehicle can take you. You then begin a guided hike. This hike is about 1.5 miles and lasts for about an hour. You’ll arrive at the beautiful mirrored reception building, where you’ll have a chance to take a shower. There’s no shower or tub in the room, so if you’re feeling a little gross and sweaty after your hike, this is your chance. The final, and most nerve-wracking step, is to via ferrata. This means that you’ll be strapped to steel cables, rungs, and ladders, and will be maneuvering yourself closer to the pods by moving your carabiner along the cables. This sounds a little scary, but fear not. You will be with experienced guides the entire time. And you’re fully clipped in and harnessed. Because of the continuous safety cable system, you can feel secure in your safety. After a quick 5-10 minute via ferrata, you’re there and are able to step inside your pod and unclip. Now you can fully soak up the view from the comfort and safety of your pod.
Inside the Hotel
Here’s what you can expect inside your hotel room during your stay.
The Room
Your hotel room will have three levels. The upper level has a double bed facing Mount Fitz Roy, so you can soak up the majestic view. The middle level is sort of like your living room. There you’ll find a small dining table and seating area. This is where you’ll eat your meals. There’s also a bathroom with a dry toilet on this level. The lower level is where the magic is at. The floor is netted, providing a hammock to lie on. You’re completely safe, but the sensation of hovering with the view below is truly visceral.
You will have panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows in each layer of the room. But rest assured, there are curtains to block out the light so that you can still get your beauty sleep. The rooms are minimalistic but well-designed for your comfort. The lack of clutter keeps your focus on the view.
One thing to note is that Patagonia can be a bit windy. So you may hear and feel the wind against the pod. But they have been meticulously tested for safety and can withstand even the harshest of Patagonian winters.
Service
One thing we love so much about Ovo Patagonia is the hands-on service. The guides are experts, and they ease your nerves from the beginning. They explain the route and check, and adjust your gear. They also carry your meals up the via ferrata and check in on you. You’ll also be given a 40-liter backpack to fill with any essentials you’ll need for your overnight visit.
Food
If there’s one thing that would assuage my fears about the via ferrata, it’s the fact that the guides bring you your breakfast and dinner by navigating it again themselves. No one would “risk” their lives to bring guests food!
The food itself is not fancy, but it’s meant to keep you warm and fuel you up. This often includes soup and sandwiches with alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. You’ll also be given wine in the evening and coffee in the morning. There are also sweet and salty snacks, so you’ll never go hungry!
Amenities
Even though you’re out in the middle of nowhere, the amenities make you feel well taken care of. There is heating inside the pods, solar panels, and satellite Wi-Fi. I wouldn’t expect to be making FaceTime calls, but you will be able to communicate with the outside world with their Wi-Fi.
Ovo Patagonia Prices
The cost of Ovo Patagonia depends on when you visit. Assuming double occupancy, it costs on average $2,200 + VAT to visit between December 20 and January 10. It’s approximaely $1600 + VAT to visit during the rest of the dates when they are open. If you are traveling solo, there is a 30% discount.
If you’d prefer not to spend the night, there is also an option to enjoy a half-day experience with lunch in one of the Ovo Patagonia capsules. This typically costs between $420 to $560 + VAT. Again, there is a 30% discount for a single visitor.
When to Go
Ovo Patagonia typically operates from November through April. These are Patagonia’s warmer months. It’s important to note that Patagonia’s weather can be unpredictable. But that unpredictability can be part of the thrill of such an experience.
We recommend booking early since there are only four capsules available.
Other Hotels We Know You’ll Love
If Ovo Patagonia is your jam, we know you’ll love these other unique stays.
In Patagonia
Awasi Patagonia – If you want to experience the rugged yet beautiful terrain of Patagonia, without the element of heights, this might be the right pick for you. Awawsi has 14 private villas set on its own private reserve just outside of Torres del Paine National Park. Each villa comes with a personal guide and a private 4×4 vehicle. You get to set the pace for how adventurous you want your stay to be. Some options include wildlife walks, horseback riding, glacier viewpoints, and hikes. This is more of a luxury stay, and you’ll never want to go back to group tours again after experiencing these uniquely tailored activities with your own personal guide.
EcoCamp Patagonia – EcoCamp Patagonia is a sustainable dome hotel. It’s located inside Torres del Paine National Park. They offer all-inclusive stays where you can be in nature, experience wildlife, and trek with guides. We especially love that this is a place that promotes community. It’s an excellent place to meet fellow travelers who also love nature and adventure. They also have a Yoga Dome, which is admittedly our favorite part.
Elsewhere in the World
Free Spirit Spheres (Canada) – Most treehouse hotels all look the same. But not Free Spirit Spheres! As the name suggests, the treehouses are spherical orbs suspended in the trees on Vancouver Island, Canada. You can read all about them in our dedicated Free Spirit Spheres blog post.
Hotel Costa Verde (Costa Rica) – My personal favorite hotel stay of all time was at Hotel Costa Verde. They have tons of typical rooms on-site. But the best rooms are their plane suites. We stayed in the Cockpit Cottage, where we got to see monkeys and toucans right from our balcony. Plus, the mix of the ocean view with the jungle vibes was unforgettable. Read all about our stay here.
Treehotel (Sweden) – Treehotel is home to design-forward yet minimalistic treehouses. Each one looks slightly different, from mirrored cubes to UFO-shaped pods. Here you’ll find yourself deep in the forest in northern Sweden, communing with nature, without the feeling of exposure.
If this post got your heart racing and you started envisioning yourself lying in bed looking at Mount Fitz Roy with a sense of accomplishment, then this unique hotel is one you can’t miss.
Check out our post on the most unique hotels around the world for even more inspiration!
