Hotel Finis Terrae

Hotel Finis Terrae takes its name from the Latin for the end of the earth, a phrase that suits Punta Arenas well. The city sits at the bottom of mainland South America, on the Strait of Magellan, and has long drawn sailors, sheep farmers, scientists and travellers heading toward Antarctica and the southern fjords. A hotel carrying this name sets the tone: a place for people who have come a long way and want a warm, steady stay at the edge of the map. Mid-priced hotels of this kind usually provide private bathrooms, heated rooms, a breakfast room and a staffed front desk. Details change, so confirm what is included when you book, including whether there is a restaurant, whether rooms differ in size and view and whether the property has a lift. In a city where weather decides plans, it helps to have a front desk that knows the ferry times, the flight delays and which tour operators are running on a given day.

The centre of Punta Arenas is compact and pleasant to walk in calm weather. The Plaza Munoz Gamero, with its statue of Magellan, is surrounded by mansions from the wool-boom era, and nearby are the regional museum in the Braun-Menendez mansion and the old cemetery, famous for its clipped cypress avenues and the tombs of the city's founding families. If this hotel is within walking distance of that area, confirm it before booking. If it is further out, remember that taxis are cheap and the walk back can be against the wind.

Wildlife is the main reason many visitors come. Magdalena Island's penguin colony is reached by boat in the warmer months, and king penguins can be seen on Tierra del Fuego on a long day trip. Whale and glacier excursions into the fjords depart on selected days, and a very long day can reach Torres del Paine. All of these start early and need advance booking, so ask the hotel about early breakfast or a packed alternative. Weather can cancel boat trips, so leave a spare day in your itinerary if possible.

Think about comfort first. Request a quiet room away from traffic, ask about extra blankets and bring layers, since even summer evenings can feel cold. Check the hot water and Wi-Fi, which are the two most common concerns in this part of Chile, and ask whether the hotel can hold luggage if you are heading on a cruise or an overnight excursion.

This hotel suits couples, history lovers and independent travellers who like a classic, unfussy stay. It also makes a practical stop for those continuing to Puerto Natales or Ushuaia by bus, since the staff are used to arranging early departures. Book ahead from December to February, when demand peaks, and look at the shoulder months for a calmer city with lower prices.