Silversea to open world's southernmost hotel in Chile

Silversea has unveiled plans to open a hotel in Puerto Williams, the world’s southernmost city, to host passengers on the line’s Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme.

Located in the sub-Antarctic zone of the Patagonia region of Chile, the 150-room property will be the first stop on guests’ journeys after arriving from Santiago.

The hotel – scheduled to open at the end of 2025 – will feature a restaurant, bar and lounge, fitness centre and gift shop.

The development is part of the line’s plans to further expand its polar offering and offer customers a “frictionless” journey.

For guests with limited time, the Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme offers the option to skip the Drake Passage and fly straight to Antarctica to start their expedition.

Silversea president Bert Hernandez said: “We’re thrilled to enhance the Antarctica travel experience by offering seamless journeys that remove traditional barriers for guests to this region.

“This development not only differentiates us from other polar expeditions but also reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence as Silversea continues to set the standard in experiential luxury travel.”

Jason Liberty, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group, added: “As we continue to push the boundaries on the ultimate vacation experience for our guests, this new hotel allows us to offer an unmatched Antarctic expedition that further enhances our diverse portfolio of world-class vacations across our brands.

“Partnering with our experienced teams in Chile, we are providing guests with a unique opportunity to explore one of the world’s most breathtaking and remote destinations that advances our promise to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”

Silversea said it would work with stakeholders in Puerto Williams to "create opportunities for economic growth and minimising negative environmental impact" as part of its commitment to forging long-term partnerships with local communities.