The World's Southernmost Hotel Will Be Open For Passengers On This Cruise Line
Isla Navarino, Chile is a part of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the Beagle Channel at the far southern tip of South America. The only town on this remote, rugged island is Puerto Williams. Founded in 1953, it's home to nearly 3,000 people, and despite its small size that might classify it more as a town or village, it's considered the southernmost city in the world. And shortly, Puerto Williams is going to be home to the southernmost hotel in the world — The Cormorant at 55 South.
The hotel is set to open in October 2026 with 150 rooms, and it will be available only for guests on one of Silversea's Antarctica Fly Cruises, specifically the "ice-class expedition fleet" Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind, and Silver Cloud ships. The sleek rooms will have stunning views of the sea or the forest from floor-to-ceiling windows, and the style and design of the hotel echoes its natural surroundings. "We wanted to make this really authentic and representative of the location," Ingrid Staudenmeyer, Silversea's senior director of expedition, said in a blog post about the new hotel. "The architect is locally based, and the design blends in with the environment, surrounded by trees in this very picturesque setting overlooking the Beagle Channel."
It was a challenging build since it's so far south and in such a relatively remote part of the world. The hotel was actually built piece by piece in modules in Mendoza, Argentina. The rooms were finished, down to the details including the art on the walls, and then transported to Puerto Williams on a trip that took more than a week.
Some of what's included with a stay at The Cormorant at 55 South
Along with a picturesque place to stay at the start and end of the cruise, guests at The Cormorant at 55 South will enjoy high-end dining at the restaurant and bar. At Latitude 55, the hotel's restaurant, the menu will focus on local flavors and ingredients, and the restaurant gets its name from the hotel's location near the 55th parallel south. The dedication to regional food and drink extends to Bar Sur, which will feature Chilean wines as well as offer a chance to take a cocktail class using Chilean Pisco, the classic South American grape brandy.
Before and after their cruise, guests will also have the option to participate in "immersive outdoor experiences" such as guided hikes, horseback riding, and kayaking in the pristine nature around the hotel. It's a great place for birdwatching — as you'd expect from the hotel's name, you can see cormorants in the area along with other water birds. In the Beagle Channel, you might spot whales and dolphins. There's also the option to simply relax and take in the views with a drink in hand from a cozy fireside chair in the hotel's aptly named Fireplace Lounge. Guests can shop at Uncharted, the hotel's boutique, which will sell unique gifts and souvenirs from local Chilean artists as well as necessities for their Arctic adventure.
Packing for a cruise can be a challenge at the best of times, and for one to Antarctica, you might think you'll need extra luggage to pack bulky, warm clothing. However, Silversea Cruises provides guests with the warm clothing and expedition gear that are essential to this voyage, including a parka and waterproof boots and pants. Guests will have the ability to try things on and get fitted at the hotel rather than on the ship itself.
You can skip the Drake Passage with your Silversea Cruise along with a stay at The Cormorant at 55 South
Having The Cormorant at 55 South built for Silversea passengers will streamline the start and end of the cruise experience; there are only a couple of smaller lodges currently in the town of Puerto Williams. It can cost a lot to visit Antarctica, and the overnight stay at in Puerto Williams is included in the overall cost of the cruise.
Depending on which of the Silversea Antarctica Fly Cruises you choose, you can entirely avoid sailing the Drake Passage, which helps maximize your time in Antarctica. The Drake Passage is the 600 mile stretch of water between South America and Antarctica, and it's a notoriously challenging crossing. Not all of the crossings are inherently rough, but you never quite know what you're going to get. Seasick-prone cruise ship passengers might want to skip over the Drake Passage entirely by flying. "Quite frankly, there's something truly remarkable about the fact that you can get on a plane in South America, fly across the Drake Passage, and one hour and 45 minutes later you land in Antarctica," Conrad Combrink, Silversea's senior vice president of expeditions, explained on the Silversea website. "It's a voyage that, 100 years ago, would have taken months."
One thing to note is that you don't actually get on the ship from The Cormorant at 55 South if you're flying over the Drake Passage. For now, travelers do still have to catch the plane to King George Island, and board the ship there. At some point after the hotel is open, the flight base will move to Puerto Williams.