Accommodation
There is no town or village at
Portillo. Hotel Portillo is the centre-piece of the ski resort and is the main accommodation. Portillo also has two other accommodation options.
It is possible to stay off-mountain in Los Andes or surrounding areas, but not many people make day trips to Portillo.
Hotel Portillo Accommodation
The main accommodation at Portillo is the big blue and yellow
Hotel Portillo. This fabulous style of accommodation is conveniently ski in ski out, and other than to ski or snowboard, you don’t have to leave the hotel as everything is contained within the hotel. Some liken the accommodation to a cruise ship, and considering it’s an incredibly sociable environment, some even equate Portillo to the
Love Boat.
Accommodation is usually based on a week-long stay (from Saturday to Saturday) which is fully inclusive with lift tickets, 4 meals a day, and the many facilities and activities at the hotel. If booking at the last minute, there is potential to negotiate a shorter stay if they are not booked out.
The hotel has standard double and twin rooms, suites with decks, and apartment style rooms for families. The rooms are not particularly modern and do not have luxurious décor, but they are very comfortable and have conveniences such as internet access, hairdryers and safes. The luxury of the hotel is really wrapped up in the all the facilities and meals on offer. Here are just several examples:
- Four fabulous meals a day – see Portillo food and nightlife for more information
- Ski and snowboard valet service – click in and go!
- Heated swimming pool and hot tub
- Gymnasium and aerobics classes
- A daily program of activities
- Child care for children over 3 years of age and children’s activities
- Bar with live music and a disco
Also available:
- Day spa treatments
- Ski and snowboard hire and workshop
- Ski and snowboard lessons
- Retail shop
See
Hotel Portillo reviews, rates & book here
Octagon Lodge
Next to the hotel is the
Octagon Lodge which offers a more economical accommodation option. Each room has two sets of bunks and a private bathroom. Guests have access to the hotel’s services including meals in the main dining room. It’s possible to book out the room for just 2 or 3 guests, although the rates for the former are not dissimilar to a room in the hotel.
See
Octagon Lodge reviews, rates & book here
Inca Lodge (Backpackers)
The budget option is the
Inca Lodge which is also very close to the hotel. These rooms also have two sets of bunk beds, but the rooms are smaller than the Octagon Lodge and there are communal bathrooms. Rates for a bed for the week which include meals in the self-service cafeteria and access to other hotel facilities. The lodging here is suited to backpackers who don’t mind a festive environment.
See
Inca Lodge reviews, rates & book here
Other Portillo Accommodation Information
During low season there are ski weeks where either one or two kids ski for free. Lots of families travel at this time, so the kids will potentially meet lots of new friends.
All the on-mountain accommodations are at about 10,000 feet of elevation, so guests will need to take precautions regarding the potential for altitude sickness. For the first day or so, take it easy and drink lots of fluids, although not of the alcoholic variety.
Storms
Sometimes the road to Portillo closes which may impact on your accommodation plans. The Portillo travel agent can help with Santiago hotel arrangements if required, and those marooned on the mountain may have to stay an extra night or two. The first night is charged at the full rate and if a second night is required it is charged at 50%. Getting stuck on the mountain can sometimes be avoided because the hotel does a reasonable job at fore-warning guests about the likelihood of the road closing.
Off Mountain Accommodation Options
If you are
really desperate for accommodation or need a budget option, there is a hostel/refugio 1.6km up the road from the resort, just before the Chilean border customs. The backpackers’ accommodation is very basic. It looks like a derelict abandoned hotel with the windows in the upper floors smashed in. Thankfully the hostel is on the ground floor where the windows are intact. It’s about a 15 minute walk to the resort although there are plenty of opportunities during the day to hitch a lift. The hostel costs $15,000 per night per person with breakfast (2009 rate).
The other accommodation option is to stay in
Los Andes (63km west) or surrounding areas, and do a day trip or two to Portillo. Staying in this region provides good value for money. The other advantage of staying in the Aconcagua Valley is that you are likely to experience the real South American culture. The obvious con of staying off-mountain is not having the fabulous convenience of ski in ski out accommodation. You also miss out on the fun of the Portillo experience, and if the road is closed you might miss out on a powder day.
Termas de Jahuel is a 4 star hotel that runs shuttles to Portillo, but another great accommodation option is the
Casa San Regis, an old hacienda built by Spanish royalty. This bed and breakfast style accommodation is fantastic. See our
review of Casa San Regis for more information.