Casa Real Hotel at Santa Rita Vineyards

Less than an hour from Santiago in the Maipo Valley, the Santa Rita estate combines celebrated wine with a long history. Chilean independence leader Bernardo O’Higgins and his men took refuge here during their struggle, while the grand neo-gothic chapel has been gloriously restored by the same craftsmen as the Sistine Chapel.

Even the restaurant, the much-celebrated Doña Paula, is a National Monument, and you can venture further back in time at the pre-Colombian Andean Museum.

Among beautiful and expansive gardens, find the old landowner’s elegant house, now converted into the Casa Real Hotel. There are 16 rooms, each comfortable and traditional with antique furniture and lofty ceilings.

Explore the grounds to find a swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna and café in the former bakery. You can also take a ride in the horse drawn cart or borrow mountain bikes out to the vineyards and enjoy extensive tasting sessions in the cellar, with the estate’s wine flowing at every opportunity from picnic lunch to sundowners.