Luxury cruise line set to build world’s most southerly hotel

Luxury hotel brands have been getting into the cruise business for some years now. Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Oberoi have dipped their toes into the waters, with Aman set to follow suit.

A cruise company anchoring to terra firma is rare. But the Royal Caribbean-owned luxury line, Silversea will open its own hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, for the 2025-2026 Antarctica season.

The 150-room hotel is located in Puerto Williams, Chile and when it opens it will be the world’s most southerly hotel.

Puerto Williams is a settlement on the sparsely populated island of Navarino facing the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia, the Argentinian departure point of many Antarctica cruises, is across the water.

Silversea is the only cruise line that homeports from the city of Puerto Williams, which has an airport – Guardia Marina Zanartu Airport – that connects to Punta Arenas, the Chilean gateway for Antarctica and Patagonia. The Chilean navy has a base there, and it’s the starting point for trips around Cape Horn.

Puerto Williams is more than just a pitstop. It’s the centre of life for the indigenous Yaghan people, whose culture reaches back at least six thousand years and who influenced the work of Charles Darwin. It is also home to Dientes de Navarino, a jagged mountain range with the world’s most southerly trek, a 53-kilometre trail that takes four to five days to complete.

With all that in mind, “The Cormorant at 55 South is a tribute to the rich culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and storied history of Puerto Williams,” says Silversea president Bert Hernandez. “It will immerse guests in their destination before their journey to Antarctica and create a convenient, comfortable and seamless way to visit Antarctica.”

The Cormorant’s rooms have forest or water views, connecting to the natural wonder of the location with expansive windows; interiors feature warm wood and earth tones. Every room will incorporate handcrafted items created by regional artisans.

Amenities will include an expansive restaurant suitable for group gatherings, a bar, a lounge, fitness centre and gift shop showcasing local art and craft. The cruise line is in consultation with stakeholders to create opportunities for economic growth in the area, while preserving the unique cultural heritage and minimising environmental impact.

Silversea promises innovative architectural design, so the hotel blends seamlessly into the surroundings without dramatic disruption.

The Cormorant at 55 South will come into play during Silversea’s six-day Antarctica Fly Cruise expeditions, which allow guests to fly over the Drake Passage.

Silversea was the first to offer luxury Antarctic expedition cruising, commencing in 2008. Its ship fleet ranges from 100-guest capacity to a little over 700. Up to 28 experts make up its expedition crew and it has some of the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratios in the industry.

See silversea.com