A New Hotel is Set to Open at the Southernmost Point of the Globe—Simplifying Travel to Antarctica

A brand-new hotel, the southernmost in the world, is on its way—and it will be operated by a cruise line.

Silversea, a luxury cruise brand based in Miami, has recently unveiled plans for a new hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile. This 150-room establishment, located in the southernmost city on the planet, is expected to be finished by late 2025. The initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for guests embarking on Antarctic expeditions hosted by the cruise line.

“We are excited to elevate the Antarctic travel experience by providing seamless journeys that eliminate traditional obstacles for visitors to this region,” stated Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea. “This initiative not only sets us apart from other polar expedition offerings but also underscores our dedication to innovation and excellence, as Silversea continues to lead in the realm of experiential luxury travel.”

Silversea is the only cruise line operating from Puerto Williams during the Antarctic season, which spans from late October to late March. All other cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. The company offers all-inclusive voyages to the White Continent and intends to utilize the hotel for pre- and post-cruise stays in the Chilean city, providing greater control over the guest experience by accommodating all passengers in one location instead of depending on various hotels in the area.

Initially, Silversea plans to reserve the hotel exclusively for guests who purchase fly-cruise packages from the line, allowing them to skip the challenging Drake Passage, known for its rough seas between South America and Antarctica. In this program, travelers will take a two-hour flight from Puerto Williams to a gravel airstrip in Antarctica, where they can then board one of Silversea’s ships. The cruise line mentioned the possibility of broadening access beyond its own customers in the future.

The hotel, which is yet to be named, will have views overlooking the Beagle Channel, a strait located at the southern tip of South America between Chile and Argentina. Surrounded by temperate rainforests, it will also offer stunning vistas of the Patagonian mountains. Amenities will include a restaurant, a bar and lounge, a fitness center, and a gift shop showcasing local art and crafts.

Currently, Silversea provides Antarctic voyages that range from six to 20 days on its vessels, including the 200-passenger Silver Endeavour, the 296-passenger Silver Wind, and the 254-passenger Silver Cloud.

Silversea's venture into the hotel sector comes at a time when numerous hotel brands are entering the cruise market. In 2022, Ritz-Carlton unveiled its Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, featuring the 624-foot, 298-passenger Evrima, which includes spacious suites with marble bathrooms and five distinct dining options, one of which is designed by three-Michelin-star chef Sven Elverfeld, known for his restaurant Aqua at the Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, Germany. This year also saw the launch of a second Ritz-Carlton yacht, Ilma. Additionally, Four Seasons and Aman are planning to debut their first yachts in 2026.