Stunning Private Ranch Retreat on 50 Acres - in Chilean Desert La Huayca Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 256944

Under the clearest skies in Chile the Ranch Entrance greets you with a promise.

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Location: La Huayca, Chile, South America (Located in Desert Just One Hour from the Beaches of Iquique.) View Map

Accommodations:  Ranch, 15 Bedrooms + Bunk Area, 8.5 Baths (Sleeps 30-40)

Imagine a place where the desert sky is so crystal clear that you are guaranteed to see a shooting star every 20 minutes.

Imagine a Santa Fe ranch with horses, swimming pools, golf range, nature trails and over a dozen ranch hands all trained and waiting to serve you.

Imagine giving your family and friends a once-in-a-lifetime experience where they not only have fun, but can learn indigenous crafts, explore archeology, go on trail rides, even learn how to operate a bulldozer, all in the world’s most beautiful oasis.

Come experience the ranch “El Renovara” – a magnificent custom crafted Santa-Fe style private ranch of over 50 acres tucked in the world’s driest high desert in Northern Chile. Designed and master-planned by American hotelier Geoffrey Thompson, El Renovara combines 5-star resort quality with authentic western ranch flavor, guaranteed to be peaceful but never boring.

If you have always dreamed of your own exclusive vacation paradise, in a working ranch setting that affords guests the highest in quality, luxury and service while still maintaining your privacy, look no further. El Renovara is the perfect setting for entertaining, executive seminars, family reunions, spiritual retreats, weddings, and of course vacations.

Located just one hour north of Iquique, the famous tourist beach town in Northern Chile, in the high desert at 2000 ft MSL, you’ll enjoy all the serenity and quiet of this 5-star resort ranch, without having to sacrifice comfort or convenience. With the Andes mountains as a backdrop, you’ll wake up each morning to what most describe as a refreshing ambience reminiscent of Scottsdale Arizona and Palm Springs California.

The ranch can comfortably accommodate 24 guests, in the 4 private cabanas each having 6 beds. Each cabana was constructed in original “Santa-Fe style” with high-ceilings, exposed vigas, and thermally improved walls. Although beautifully decorated in the traditional styles of the 1800’s, the cabanas are tricked out with the most modern conveniences. Additionally, the “Premiere Casa” with over 4000 square feet can comfortably sleep 5 additional guests of honor, and includes a 5-star penthouse suite with Jacuzzi bath, gas fireplace, stained glass ceilings, and private terraza. All have luxury bathrooms, private stocked and equipped kitchens, twin terrazas, thermopane windows, and unlimited, picture postcard views of living desert.

Headed by ranch manager Lisa Thompson, like on a cruise ship, the El Renovara staff will greet you and your guests each morning with breakfast cooked to order, and a list of over a dozen activities to select from for the day. Everything is included, and whatever your favorites, you can do over and over again- from riding the world’s most friendly horses, to making pottery, to driving golf balls, to archery. All the activities are ready and waiting for you, with trained staff ready to assist you. Want to be alone? No problem! We’ll leave you alone, and the ranch has over a dozen “quiet places” with benches and reflection areas to serve you and your soul.

In addition to the cabins, El Renovara has over 20 buildings including a stable, a meeting salon for up to 200 people, a commercial kitchen, a swimming pool with waterfall and Jacuzzi, a gymnasium and locker room and much more.

For protection of the environment, the ranch has a no smoking no pets policy. For your security, your bi-lingual staff live in their own space on the ranch property, and are on call 24/7. Think of the service on a cruise, without the ocean.

Space prohibits an exhaustive list of features and amenities, so be sure to ask for a complete Guest Package with brochures, photos, ranch map and more.

Vacation Rental Features

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• Amenities
  • Washer: Guest Laundry room with high-capacity washers and dryers available 24/7.
  • Dryer: Washers and dryer housed in separate laundry building away from guest cabanas to preserve peace and quiet.
  • Linens Provided: Twice a day maid service with fresh towels as needed as well.
  • Covered Parking: Lighted and secured.
  • Gas Fireplace: In Premiere "Host Cabin."
  • Wood Stove: Bolivian style double grill/oven combination. In pool enclosure.
• Beds
  • King Bed (6)
  • Queen Bed (2)
  • Double Bed (9)
• Entertainment
  • DVD
  • Video Library
  • CD Player
  • Music Library
  • Jetted Tub in Bath: In Premiere "Host Cabin."
  • Private Pool: With waterfall and jazuzzi.
  • Pool Table
  • Ping Pong/Table Tennis
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen: Full kitchen completely equipped in every cabana.
  • Cooking Utensils Provided
  • Refrigerator: Refrigerator in every cabana.
  • Microwave: Microwave provided in every cabana.
  • Catering Available
• Outdoor Features
  • Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
  • Deck/Patio (3) : Each cabana has two terrazas and a private deck from the master bedroom.
  • Balcony: Included in the Premiere "Host Cabin."
  • Gazebo
• View/Location
  • Mountain View: See the Andes Mountains and the Bolivian border from all areas of the ranch.
• Communications
  • Computer w/ Dial-up Internet
• Other Amenities
  • Gymnasium with free weights, treadmill & elliptical; bicycles, double head jumbo showers, vaulted ceilings Santa-Fe style, private walk-out patios, breakfast served to cabins each morning, private party area with pool and waterfall, private commercial kitchen for groups, meeting salon for up to 200 people, camping areas, locker rooms, lakes with fountains, over 50 acres of activities and beautiful desert to explore and enjoy.
• Suitability
  • No Pets Allowed
  • Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
  • Smoking Not Allowed
• Activities (on site and nearby)
  • Golf
  • Shopping
  • Sightseeing
  • Restaurants
  • Parasailing
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fitness Center/Gym
  • Antiquing
  • Museums
  • Miniature golf
  • Horseback Riding
• Other Activities
  • Complete activity center allowing guests to make pottery, weave fabric, make candles, in traditional ways with traditional tools. Stable with eight ready-to-ride horses. Nature trail with 10 "reflection stops" to inform about the area and restore the soul. Plus archeological dig with ancient fossils, citrus groves, observatory, archery, miniature golf plus 400 yard driving range, even bulldozer lessons.

Rate Details (In US Dollars)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

Base rate .. $1095/night (3 night minimum) .. $6450/week
Holidays ... $1195/night (3 night minimum) .. $6995/week
Rates based on up to 12 guests. Add $70/night per guest up to 30.
$700 Refundable Security/Cleaning Deposit + 9% bed tax.
Includes daily breakfast, chef, maid service, guides, trainers and horses.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

• Credit Cards Accepted:

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Map & Owner's Profile

• Features
• Rate Details
• Map & Owner's Profile
• All Photos (16)
• Guest Comments (6)
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Property Photos

• Features
• Rate Details
• Map & Owner's Profile
• All Photos (16)
• Guest Comments (6)
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Guest Comments (6)

• Features
• Rate Details
• Map & Owner's Profile
• All Photos (16)
• Guest Comments (6)
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• 08/29/09
  Positive Rating
  David Arnold , Washington, MO
  • David Washington, MO My wife and I were blessed with a trip to Chile in March of 2007. After spending a few days in the lovely city of Iquique, we traveled up to the high desert for a stay at El Renovara located in La Huayca. The drive past the never ending desert and a blue sky as big as Montana's culminated with our arrival at the gates of El Renovara. Truely an oasis in the desert. To see this desert blossom beyond the gates was magical. It was like entering an enchanted city. The stark contrast of the brilliant lush green grass and the sparkling ponds was indeed a surprise. Just the first of many. We first checked in at the Guest Reception area. A tour of the Meeting Hall, Gym & Locker Rooms then followed. The gym was equipped as well as any gym here in the states. It almost made me want to schedule a work out. Thank God there was a bench nearby where I could sit down until that thought passed. We were then taken to our Guest Cabana. I felt as though I had been transported to Sante Fe. The Cabana was wonderful. My wife and I felt like we were on our Honeymoon. More than enough bedrooms and a bathroom that would make a 5 star hotel blush. Each Cabana has a front porch. Ours faced west so that we could sit out and watch the sun set. And the stars were amazing! Our Cabana also had an outdoor dining area where we ate our breakfast. Oh and did I mention the fully equipped kitchen & living room (not that we did any cooking)? I could live there! A far as activities and places to visit nearby. We went horseback riding, 4- wheeling. There is a driving range, archery and the craft area located in the original casita. I couldn't snap enough photos. I could go on and on but you get the picture. Its was a once in a lifetime experience. The only negative thing I have to say is that the time passed much too quickly."
• 08/27/09
  Positive Rating
  Kathy Simon , St. Peters, MO USA
  • El Renovara is beautiful! What Geoff and Lisa have created out of nothing is truly remarkable and something to see. Just as the ranch is an oasis in the desert, it is also an oasis of peacefulness for the soul. The accommodations left nothing to be desired, for they were comfortable, spacious and first class. I enjoyed the workout room with the latest equipment and I chose candle making as an activity. Although the instructor only spoke Spanish and I only spoke English we got along very well with smiles and nods. We broke out into a belly laugh when we each realized we forgot to put the wick in first. And, oh, the stars! We laid down in the drive way just to watch in awe of the Milky Way. I highly recommend El Renovara as a place to visit.
• 08/26/09
  Positive Rating
  Jim and Debbie Matush , St. Louis, MO
  • Debbie and I had the wonderful priveledge of visiting El Renovara at the conclusion of our 25th Wedding Anniversary in Nov. 2007. We stayed in Iquique, joined by our daughter for a spectacular Paragliding tour of 10 days in what we would learn to be some of the best paragliding country in the world. (For an unforgetable experience check out a tandem ride with a qualified expert, flying over a thousand feet above an incredible city and land at one of the many beautiful beachs!) GT and Lisa, your hosts, have truly been blessed with what we fondly describe as an oasis in adventureland. Their story of carving this slice of heaven out of the dessert is something you must experience to understand. Our treat to top off our anniversary journey was being renewed with an unparalleled respite at El Renovara. While our stay in Iquique was a 4 star hotel with awesome 23rd floor views it would not compare to the peace, serenity and tranquility we found in La Huayca at the ranch. We enjoyed really relaxing, horseback riding, a wonderfully fresh garden, tasty locally prepared food, archery, attention to every detail, a beautiful pool and waterfall, a trip to town with Lisa and the natural hot spring pools and caves, their friends, the history, a favorite- the bulldozer/ earthmover! The 5 star cottages are tastefully decored with Lisa's exacting attention to detail, did I mention relaxing! And the people will touch your heart with memories to be moved by. From their smile to their story we were touched beyond explanation. Not to mention the treat of sharing some time with GT and Lisa, truly a gift from God. As they have been blessed I have come to learn they love nothing more than paying it forward through sharing this blessing with others. You can tell we were moved and more than happy to share our experience. Please feel free to call us. Jim and Debbie Matush
• 08/26/09
  Positive Rating
  Daniel , Saint Charles/Missouri
  • I spent a week at the Ranch in March 2007. It was the nicest vacation I´d ever been on. I didn´t think I could go a whole week without having a t.v. It was amazing to me the beauty of the ranch and all the things there to make me comfortable. I only hope they will have me back again. Thanks, Dan Mallon.
• 08/14/09
  Positive Rating
  Tali , O'Fallon, IL
  • My husband and I had the privilege of staying at El Renovara in January 2008. As we first drove up the mountain from the beach town of Iquique into the Atacama desert I noticed the stark weather contrast. Iquique had been cloudy when we arrived but once we started up the mountain the sky cleared to a bright blue and the sun was shining! Simply put, we loved everything about our stay at El Renovara: from the palm tree lined entrance, to the welcoming staff, to the peaceful cabanas. It far exceeded our expectations! The cabana was beautiful and fully equipped with anything we needed to make our stay comfortable including a refrigerator, dishes, cd player, stove and oven. The bathroom was something out of a 5 star hotel with marble walls and floors. Even the shower was powerful! ( This is very important to me and my husband. Many of our trips to Europe included aggravation with weak shower power resulting in a flat looking head of hair. But to our amazement, out in the middle of the desert, we had a better and more powerful shower than anywhere in Europe!) The staff is friendly and available but also great at giving space. There is a box in the front porch that you put your breakfast and activity requests for the next day. This is nice because you fill it in at your pace and they pick it up that night. As we sat to watch the amazing desert sunset each night we would fill in our requests for breakfast and then try to decide what activities to do. We went horseback riding, golfing and 4 –wheeling. Then to relax we went swimming and took a scenic hike around the historic areas of the ranch. They even brought an afternoon treat of lemonade, made from lemons grown on the ranch! It was so peaceful. We would stay at El Renovara again in a heartbeat! Oh, and yes we DID see shooting stars at night!
• 08/10/09
  Positive Rating
  David , St. Louis, Missouri USA
  • When I heard that the Atacama Desert in Northern Chile was one of the best places in the world for viewing the night time sky I just had to go. The fact that the daytime was filled with such beauty, peace and fun was just an added bonus for me. The welcome I received at El Renovara was off the charts! The entire staff was there to greet and welcome me. I was escorted to my private 2 bedroom casita and given a brief tour. I'd just stayed at two upscale hotels for a few days before arriving at the ranch but the the accommodations at the ranch put them to shame. Everything about the room was over the top. Imagine the quality of a Ritz Carlton but in the style of the Southwest USA and you'll start to get the idea. I was told about all of the options available to me that day and there were a lot to choose from. I chose Horseback riding and some time on the driving range. The rest of the time I spent on quiet walks, a nap by the pool and enjoying some amazing meals! That was just day one! But back to the night sky... I was not disappointed. I stepped out of my room at about 10:00pm and it was pitch black outside. I looked up and I would have sworn that there were some thin clouds passing over the ranch. But they weren't moving and they weren't clouds... it was the Milky Way! As clear as I've ever seen it. It was spectacular. I spent time just looking at stars, shooting stars and planets and being in awe. El Renovara gets my highest recommendation! Go by yourself or take your family or group but don't miss this one.

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