As in other Andean lake-district resorts, Villarrica’s accommodations prices peak in January and February, but Semana Santa, September’s Fiestas Patrias, and the ski season can all see higher prices. In addition to the permanent places listed here, many economical hospedajes open in summer only—look for signs or ask at the tourist office.

For shoestring backpackers only, rates at the barebones Hotel Fuentes (Vicente Reyes 665, tel. 045/411595, US$11–13 pp) vary depending on whether the room has shared or private bath. Some rooms even lack windows, but its bar/restaurant has long been a gathering place.

Cyclists in particular flock to the Swiss-run hostel La Torre Suiza (Bilbao 969, tel./fax 045/411213, www.torresuiza.com, US$11 pp for dorms, US$28–33 d), an immaculately modernized house with firm, comfortable beds, easily regulated hot showers, and a tobacco-free interior. Rates depend on whether the room has shared or private bath; a substantial European-style breakfast costs US$2 more. Owners Béat and Claudia Zbinden also help plan self-guided cycling trips.

Traditionally popular Hostería Rayhuén (Pedro Montt 668, tel./fax 045/411571, US$20/30 s/d) has cozy rooms with private bath and breakfast, and also serves other meals at its family-style restaurant, which has garden as well as indoor seating. The owner, though, can be overbearingly friendly.

Rates at Hotel Villa Linda (Av. Pedro de Valdivia 678, tel. 045/411392, www.villalinda.tk, US$19 s/d) include private bath and breakfast. Hotel Villarrica (Körner 255, tel./fax 045/411641, hotelvilla [at] tie [dot] cl, US$36/45 s/d) offers good value for its tranquil lakeside location in a residential area.

Rates at renovated Hotel Yachting Kiel (Körner 153, tel. 045/411631, US$33/38 s/d) include breakfast and private bath. Comfy, rustically styled Hostería Bilbao (Camilo Henríquez 43, tel. 045/411186, US$37/56 s/d) also enjoys a lakeshore site.

Set among lush gardens, Hotel El Ciervo (Körner 241, tel. 045/411215, fax 045/411426, www.hotelelciervo.cl, US$62/77–69/93 s/d) is a traditional favorite; some rooms have fireplaces, and rates include an ample European-style breakfast.

Modern Hotel Montebianco (Pedro de Valdivia 1011, tel. 045/411798, marpack [at] tie [dot] cl, US$56/61 s/d) has made good impressions and has an outstanding restaurant, but it’s also on Villarrica’s busiest street.

Overlooking the lake from secluded high ground, the Oregonian owners at TV-free Hostería de la Colina (Las Colinas 115, tel./fax 045/411503, www.hosteriadelacolina.com, US$40/65–90/107 s/d) provide a full American-style breakfast, attractive gardens with a hot tub, and a large English-language book exchange on the honor system; the homemade ice cream alone makes the restaurant worth a visit. On the downside, recent nearby construction has obstructed most volcano views. The highest rates correspond to spacious garden cabañas.

Midway between Villarrica and Pucón, the area’s only legitimate five-star hotel is the lakeside Villarrica Park Lake Hotel (Camino Villarrica Pucón, Km 13, tel. 045/450000, US$255–335 s or d), a tasteful contemporary place with expansive rooms (nearly all with balconies), every one of which faces the lake. Its relatively small private beach is rockier than it is sandy, but it compensates partly with indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a spa, two bars, and a restaurant. Serious high-rollers choose the presidential suite (US$1,200 per night).