AWASI EXPANDS ITS SOUTH AMERICAN SANCTUARY
September 19thSouth America
As South America takes centre stage in the world of experiential travel, Awasi – long celebrated for its refined, quietly pioneering approach to remote luxury – is entering its most expansive chapter to date. Building on the success of its award-winning lodges in Patagonia, Atacama and Iguazú, the brand is evolving into an integrated portfolio of connected outdoor journeys, each rooted in the culture, ecology, and rhythms of its surroundings. Joining the collection are Awasi Santa Catarina in Brazil and Awasi Mendoza in Argentina — two groundbreaking properties that mark a transformation in both scale and vision, uniting some of the continent’s most spellbinding landscapes. This expansion signals a thoughtful shift toward a more holistic journey, one that balances adventure with restoration. Each new destination reflects the Awasi ethos: a profound relationship to land, culture and craft, where time slows and every detail is tailored to the individual guest.
“With the addition of Awasi Santa Catarina and Awasi Mendoza to our portfolio, we’re weaving together South America’s most extraordinary landscapes into a connected constellation of intimate sanctuaries, ” said Nicolás Peluffo, CEO of Awasi. “Each property we choose already pulses with its own spirit. Our role is to amplify that essence, creating spaces that foster meaningful engagement between guests, land and culture. ”
True to the Awasi experience, both locations will feature private villas, personal guides and 4WDs, and new fully bespoke itineraries – no group tours, no rigid schedules, just a deliberate focus on privacy, place and pace. Discerning travellers can expect everything Awasi is known for – thoughtful design, rooted storytelling and time well spent – now brought to life in two breathtaking locations. With five private lodges now in the portfolio, these two new additions deepen Awasi’s mission: to deliver meaningful, low-impact experiences that immerse guests in the wild soul of South America.
AWASI SANTA CATARINA | COASTAL STILLNESS
Perched above the protected Emerald Coast and surrounded by swathes of Atlantic Forest, Awasi Santa Catarina offers a rare meeting point of Brazilian coastal culture and untouched nature. Set on a dramatic peninsula just an hour’s drive from Florianópolis, the lodge lies at the heart of a region where fishing remains the lifeblood of local industry. Formerly Ponta dos Ganchos, this reenvisioned sanctuary features 25 standalone villas, each with panoramic sea views and refined interiors. A Sisley Paris spa with oceanfront treatment huts brings sensorial restoration, while curated experiences such as island dinners, intimate beach picnics, and speedboat outings reveal the unhurried rhythm of life on Brazil’s southern coast. On 1 November 2025, the property will unveil an expansive wellness pavilion and breakfast lounge perched above the local Fisherman’s Cove. The new space will feature a sleek outdoor lap pool, a sun-drenched breakfast outpost, a trio of thermal plunge pools – hot, tepid, and invigorating cold – a dedicated sound healing room, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre, all framed by sweeping views of the sea. This milestone also marks the arrival of Andrea Moschetti as head guide. She will lead a team of ten new guides and launch a series of immersive itineraries that deepen guest connection to the region’s natural and cultural heritage. With a focus on storytelling, meaningful local interactions and quietly adventurous discovery, this evolution reflects Awasi’s enduring commitment to thoughtful, place-based travel.
AWASI MENDOZA | VINEYARD HORIZONS
The original luxury lodge to open at the foothills of the Andes, Awasi Mendoza (formerly Cavas Wine Lodge) is set among 35 acres of exclusive vineyards in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo, a region long considered the heart of Argentine wine country. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, this sun-drenched corner of Mendoza owes its rich viticultural heritage to Italian and Spanish immigrants who brought centuries-old winemaking traditions to the Andean foothills.
By 1 November, Awasi Mendoza will fully reflect the Awasi identity – introducing a dedicated private guide and bespoke itinerary for each villa, and elevating existing experiences through a more personalised lens. Guests can explore the vineyards and olive groves on horseback alongside local gauchos, take part in harvest rituals including grape clipping and stomping, master the art of classic Argentine cuisine with open-air cooking classes, and sample vintages from the property’s own vines, as well as other exceptional South American labels from the in-house cellar. Each of the 17 villas are stylishly designed, yet paired back for slow living, with plunge pools, rooftop terraces, and fireplaces perfect for sunset aperitifs or stargazing. At the centre of the hotel, new projects are quietly taking shape, from an open-fire cooking space for atmospheric alfresco meals, to plans for an expanded spa and refreshed restaurant interiors, all part of Awasi’s vision to evolve with purpose and authenticity.
For more information, please visit www.awasi.com