History and Sustainability

Our History

Located in the heart of Punta Arenas, between the Strait of Magellan and the city’s Plaza de Armas, Hotel Cabo de Hornos rises today as an icon of the Patagonian capital. It was recognized by the Bicentennial Commission as the most emblematic architectural work and contribution to the city of Magallanes in the 20th century.

This honor is a reflection of the significance this traditional building has held in the city’s history—witnessing and shaping its growth, major events, and visits from distinguished guests. Since the 1960s, every President of Chile has stayed here, along with numerous foreign dignitaries, scientists, political leaders, and renowned figures from the world of arts and entertainment.

Over time, these moments have helped forge a shared identity between the city of Punta Arenas and its great Hotel Cabo de Hornos—one rooted in tradition and the spirit of modern Patagonian culture.

A hotel for Punta Arenas

In the year 1957, the Tierra del Fuego Exploiting Society, led by its visionary president at the time, Mr. Pedro Poklepovic, launched the initiative to build a grand hotel in the city of Punta Arenas, as a driving force for the incipient tourism industry
in the region. This initiative, championed by the then-mayor, Mr. Manuel Ibáñez Pérez, entailed a substantial investment of one billion pesos of the time. Its location, facing Plaza Muñoz Gamero, was selected with lands acquired specifically for this purpose.
The building, boasting a structure of 8,500 square meters, was designed to encompass nine floors. The upper floors would house a tourist hotel with one hundred spacious and comfortable rooms, while the lower levels would accommodate offices and commercial properties.

Our first grand event

The construction of such monumental project was entrusted to the Salinas y Fabres construction company and was initially scheduled to be completed within two and a half years. However, due to challenges posed by the weather and distance, the project extended to nearly five years. A significant milestone in its construction occurred on February 14, 1959, at 6:05
pm, with the laying of the first stone, a symbolic event to turn the concept of our hotel into a reality.
Representatives from various sectors were invited to be part of this occasion, including from the Church, banking, national industry and commerce, Ministers, Senators, the Navy’s Commander-in-Chief, journalists and the former President of the Republic of Chile, Mr. Gabriel González Videla, as guest of honor.

Officially inaugurated

On September 22 nd,1962., the hotel opened its doors to guests, marking the start of its operation, which thrives to this day.
The inauguration of Hotel Cabo de Hornos marked a significant moment in the history of Punta Arenas, and the beginning of our history in community. It was on September 23 rd of the same year, at 7:00 pm, amidst the backdrop of an exhibition by Chilean painter, Arturo Pacheco Altamirano, in one of its halls, that our hotel was officially inaugurated. The event was attended by the board of directors of the Sociedad Explotadora Tierra del Fuego and the directors of the Sociedad Hotelera Panamericana, the first administrators of the hotel, along with other guests.

A complete remodeling

Initially managed by the Panamericana Hotel Company for thirteen years until 1975, the administration was then taken over by Turismo y Hoteles Cabo de Hornos, overseeing operations for the following 20 years. In 1995, control reverted to Empresa Hotelera Panamericana until 2004, when ownership transferred to HOTELES AUSTRALIS LIMITADA, who remain the owners to this day. In 2005, during the last change of ownership, the hotel underwent a complete renovation led by architect Pedro Kovacic and Enrique Concha’s interior design team.
Later, in 2021, the same team executed a further renovation of its interiors, ensuring the hotel remains at the forefront of the international hospitality industry while preserving its heritage value and classic-contemporary atmosphere. In 2024, the Cabo de Hornos Hotel has expanded with a new tower, adding 70 modern rooms and enhancing the grandeur of the building. This expansion confirms our position as the undisputed leader in the region.

Sustainability commitment

Our Collaborators

At Cabo de Hornos Hotel, we are deeply committed to the development and progress of Punta Arenas, which leads us to prioritize hiring collaboratos who are residents of the region. Through them, we aim to share with our guests their authentic knowledge of Patagonian identity and culture. Our team is predominantly made up of women, to reflect our dedication to the principles of gender equity, labor inclusion and non-discrimination.

Our Suppliers

Our primary sourcing commitment lies with local suppliers. In our Lounge and Restaurant, we proudly offer locally grown products, supporting the economic development of Punta Arenas and its small business owners. Our guests also have the opportunity to taste authentic flavors and products that are unique to the region.

Our Community

Hotel Cabo de Hornos is a meeting point and supporter of all cultural activity in our city, embracing both public and private initiatives, which will always find encouragement and support from us.
One of our greatest priorities is the development of human capital in the Magallanes region, with a special focus on children and their education. That’s why we proudly sponsor Fundación Teraike, an organization committed to supporting the education of children in our region and nurturing young talents.
We also actively highlight and promote new tourism, gastronomic, and artistic initiatives in Punta Arenas as a way of supporting local entrepreneurs. Likewise, our merchandising is created by regional artists, whose work reflects the soul of Patagonia—turning every gift into a meaningful tribute to our Magallanes identity.

Environmental Awarness

At Cabo de Hornos Hotel, we are dedicated to continuous innovation in our operations, constantly seeking new and improved ways to protect the environment.
During their stay, guests may opt to:
✔ Have water served in reusable containers and through dispensers, effectively eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles.
✔ Enhance their experience with the convenience of digital tools such as our digital check-in/out option, QR codes in the restaurant, and internal communication via WhatsApp, among others. Through these initiatives we have significantly reduced our use of paper.
✔ Use eco-friendly bathroom toiletries conveniently arranged in bulk containers, minimizing the consumption of plastic.
✔ Efficiently manage energy consumption with our self-controlled LED lighting system, equipped with an economizer feature available in every room.
✔ Have linens washed at intervals exceeding the typical daily frequency as a standard practice.
✔ Use our bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation to explore our city and its surroundings.