At Hotel AWA, we believe that travel becomes more meaningful when it creates a genuine connection with the people, traditions, and culture of a place. This year, we launched a new series of hands on cultural workshops that invite guests to experience the living craft traditions of southern Chile directly alongside the artisans who keep them alive. From weaving baskets with natural manila fiber using techniques passed down through generations, to building traditional looms and learning ancestral textile practices from the Reloncaví area, each workshop offers a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural heritage through direct participation. Guests can also explore stone carving inspired by Chilean rock art, guided by local sculptor and artisan Marco Fuentes, creating their own piece to take home. These workshops are led by master artisans from the communities of Ilque, Huelmo, and Reloncaví, areas recognized by the World Crafts Council as Craft Cities in 2023, a distinction granted to fewer than 100 communities worldwide. Beyond creating something with their own hands, guests gain insight into the time, knowledge, and tradition behind each craft, understanding the value of practices that continue to shape everyday life in southern Chile. As part of this cultural program, we have also introduced monthly coffee workshops in collaboration with Café Folks from Puerto Varas, exploring filtered coffee, espresso preparation, tastings, and coffee based cocktails and mocktails. For us, hospitality is not only about where guests stay, but about the connections and experiences they carry with them long after they leave.
