Archival
8/10 Good
bud g.
5 Mar, 2017
a very nice secluded place to stay: five stars for service
This small cabin is great for a couple and has adequate kitchen facilities to prepare simple meals. The bathroom is tiny but adequate. The views from the large picture windows are fabulous, the bed was firm and comfortable, with plenty of pillows and blankets. The interior is beautiful with all natural wood throughout.
During our stay, the weather was very stormy and it rained a lot. Access was not compromised by the rain. There is a fair distance between the paved road and the cabin, but the unpaved portion, while rough in spots, was passable at all times. My biggest worry about access was that a tree or large limb could fall and block the road for a time. I would advise renting a car with at least 4-5 inches of ground clearance if you wish to use this property. We had a small Samsung sedan and it never bottomed out or dragged on the road. We did lose power for short periods of time during storms, but never longer than an hour or so.
The only real problem during our stay was that the water heater, a gas on demand unit, would not function. The owner gave us directions to use the shower in the main house until fixed, which was not a hardship. The main cabin was not occupied during our stay and when an immediate fix on the water heater proved impossible, the owner offered us the option of moving to the main house.
This cabin, like most houses in Chile is uninsulated, due to the mild climate. You will get big temperature swings during warrm days and cool nights, and there are small backup heaters available if it gets too cool. Easily installed screens are available for the kitchen and bathroom windows, and we used them and got good cross flow ventilation and cooling, when combined with the drop in screens for the doors. There is a small wood burner and plenty of wood available, but it never got cold enough to use it. There are some biting insects, both mosquitoes and blackflies, and they were only a problem outside just before dusk. Adequate clothing and a little insect repellent took care of them. The tap water is not potable water, but there is a large counter top boiler available and we just used boiled water. The kitchen has all the necessary utensils, but is short on condiments and spices, so bring your own, as well as cooking oil, and anything necessary for complex dishes.
Stein, who was acting as backup caretaker and handyman, was extremely helpful, providing advice and assistance, and explaining Chile.