The best hotels in Pucon
Pucon has over 8,000 accommodation options, and most of them coast on volcano views and lazy marketing. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our Top Picks in Pucon
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Hotel Gudenschwager
Lakefront, Pucon
Free cancellation & Pay later
Cabanas Ruca Malen
Quelhue Road, Pucon
Free cancellation & Pay later
Lodge Tinquilco
Huerquehue Area, Pucon
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel Antumalal
Lakefront West, Pucon
Free cancellation & Pay later
Hotel y Spa del Lago
Lakefront, Pucon
Free cancellation & Pay later
Vira Vira Hotel
Liucura Valley, Pucon
Free cancellation & Pay later
All Hotels Compared
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right hotel. Prices reflect shoulder season averages.
| # | Hotel | City & Area | Price/Night | Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hostel ¡Éclate! | Town Center, Pucon | $45–75/night | 7.8/10 | Budget Pick |
| 2 | Hotel El Refugio | Town Center, Pucon | $70–95/night | 8.1/10 | Best Value |
| 3 | Hotel Gudenschwager | Lakefront, Pucon | $110–160/night | 8.5/10 | Best Location |
| 4 | Hotel Malalhue | Town Center, Pucon | $125–180/night | 8.6/10 | Most Popular |
| 5 | Cabanas Ruca Malen | Quelhue Road, Pucon | $130–195/night | 8.3/10 | Hidden Gem |
| 6 | Hotel Araucarias | Town Center, Pucon | $150–210/night | 8.4/10 | Family Friendly |
| 7 | Lodge Tinquilco | Huerquehue Area, Pucon | $170–230/night | 8.9/10 | Romantic Stay |
| 8 | Hotel Antumalal | Lakefront West, Pucon | $200–260/night | 9.1/10 | Top Rated |
| 9 | Hotel y Spa del Lago | Lakefront, Pucon | $260–380/night | 8.8/10 | Luxury Pick |
| 10 | Vira Vira Hotel | Liucura Valley, Pucon | $420–650/night | 9.4/10 | Top Rated |
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Every hotel earned its spot. Here's exactly why we picked each one.
Hostel ¡Éclate!
A solid budget pick on Calle Palguin, a short walk from the main plaza and the lake shore. Rooms are basic but clean, with good hot water and decent beds for the price. The shared kitchen is a big plus for travelers cooking their own meals. Staff are helpful with volcano trekking logistics and tour bookings. Noise from the street can be an issue on weekends.
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Hotel El Refugio
El Refugio sits on Avenida O'Higgins close to the main strip of restaurants and tour operators. Rooms are simple but well maintained, with comfortable beds and reliable WiFi. The breakfast included is generous by Chilean standards, with fresh fruit and eggs. The owners are friendly and can arrange shuttles to Villarrica volcano trails. Good value for Pucon where mid-range prices dominate.
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Hotel Gudenschwager
This family-run hotel is right on the lakefront, with direct access to Playa Grande a minute from the front door. The building has a classic German-influenced Pucon character that feels authentic rather than forced. Rooms facing the lake are worth the small upgrade for the views of Villarrica volcano across the water. Breakfast is served in a bright dining room overlooking the shoreline. Book early in summer because the location sells this place out fast.
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Hotel Malalhue
Malalhue is a well-established mid-range option on Calle Camilo Henriquez in the heart of town. Rooms are spacious and decorated with local Mapuche textiles, giving it a genuine sense of place. The indoor pool and hot tub are a real bonus after a day hiking or skiing on Villarrica. Staff are professional and speak English well enough to help with activity planning. The restaurant on site is decent but the town has better options within walking distance.
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Cabanas Ruca Malen
These self-contained cabanas sit along the road toward Quelhue, about three kilometers from central Pucon. Each cabin has a full kitchen, fireplace, and private deck surrounded by forest. It is a quieter option than staying in town, ideal for couples or small families who want to cook in and enjoy the surroundings. The Trancura River is a short walk away for fly fishing. You will need a car or rental bike to get into town easily.
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Hotel Araucarias
Hotel Araucarias is a reliable mid-range choice on Avenida Caupolican, a central street with easy access to shops and the beach. The outdoor pool is a major draw for families in summer and the grounds are well kept with tall araucaria trees providing shade. Rooms are comfortable and consistently clean across categories. The buffet breakfast is one of the better ones in this price range in Pucon. Service is attentive without being overbearing.
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Lodge Tinquilco
Tinquilco is a remote lakeside lodge on Lago Tinquilco at the entrance to Huerquehue National Park, about 35 kilometers from Pucon. The setting is genuinely spectacular with forested hills dropping straight to the water. Accommodation ranges from rustic rooms to private bungalows, all with excellent views. Meals are included and made with local ingredients, which is a highlight of the stay. Access requires a bumpy unpaved road so a high-clearance vehicle or the lodge shuttle is recommended.
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Hotel Antumalal
Antumalal is arguably the most iconic hotel in Pucon, perched on a cliff above Lago Villarrica about two kilometers west of town on Ruta 199. It was built in the 1950s in a Bauhaus-influenced style and has hosted guests including Queen Elizabeth II. The terraced gardens descend to a private beach on the lake and the volcano views from almost every room are exceptional. Rooms are individually decorated with mid-century character that has been carefully preserved. This is the upper end of mid-range but delivers an experience well above its price point.
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Hotel y Spa del Lago
Hotel y Spa del Lago is the most prominent luxury property in Pucon, sitting directly on the lakefront at the end of Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins. The casino attached to the hotel draws its own crowd but the rooms and spa stand on their own merits. Superior and lake-view rooms have large windows framing the volcano and water, which is the primary reason to pay the premium. The spa facilities are the best in town with thermal pools and a full treatment menu. Service is polished and the concierge team handles tour bookings and transfers efficiently.
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Vira Vira Hotel
Vira Vira is a luxury hacienda-style property set along the Liucura River, about 20 kilometers from Pucon toward the Argentinian border. The property has its own organic farm, artisan cheese-making, and trout fishing directly on site. Villas and suites are spacious and finished with high-quality local materials, each with a private terrace or outdoor soaking tub. All meals are included and the food quality is among the best you will find in the entire Lake District. This is a genuinely immersive property and worth every peso for those who can stretch the budget.
Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay in Pucon
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Town Center: your base for everything
Avenida O'Higgins is the spine of Pucon. Restaurants, gear shops, tour agencies, ATMs. it's all within a 10-minute walk. If you're doing multiple activities and want flexibility, staying here just makes sense.
The best streets for food are Fresia and Ansorena. walk those before committing to hotel restaurants. Insider tip: buy your Huerquehue park entrance ticket ($7-10) at the CONAF office on Avenida O'Higgins rather than at the gate, where cash-only queues back up in January.
Lakefront: the view you came for
Hotels along Avenida Klénner and the western Lakefront road sit directly above Lago Villarrica. On clear mornings. and there are many in summer. you look straight down the lake to the Villarrica cone. That view is not an accident. It's why Hotel Antumalal and Hotel Gudenschwager exist.
The tradeoff is price and distance. You're a 15-minute walk from the Town Center restaurants and about the same from Playa Grande on foot. Most Lakefront hotels have their own access paths to the water. Worth it if the view is why you're here.
Huerquehue and the remote lodges
Lodge Tinquilco sits at the entrance to Parque Nacional Huerquehue, 35 km from Pucon center on the road toward Palguín. This is not a 'base and explore' setup. You're here to hike to Lagos Verde, Toro, and Chico, eat well, and sleep deeply. No nightlife. That's the point.
The Huerquehue trail system starts 200 meters from the lodge gate. Go in November or April. the January crowds on the main circuit are genuinely annoying, and the trails are narrow. Rates at Tinquilco run $170-230/night and include access to the private waterfront on Lago Tinquilco.
Liucura Valley: the splurge that earns it
Vira Vira Hotel is 15 km east of Pucon center down Ruta 199 into the Liucura River valley. The road is paved and the drive takes 20 minutes. What you find when you get there doesn't look or feel like anything else in Chilean Patagonia.
At $420-650/night, this is serious money. But the property is a working farm and spa, with its own trout ponds and a kitchen that sources almost everything on-site. Book the river-view suite. And call ahead. they arrange fly fishing on the Río Liucura that guests can't just show up and request.
Getting around without a car
Town Center hotels let you forget cars exist. Everything on Avenida O'Higgins, Fresia, and Ansorena is walkable. The bus terminal on O'Higgins connects you to Temuco (2 hrs, $5-8) and Villarrica (45 min, $2-3). For Huerquehue, shared minibuses leave from the terminal in summer. ask at your hotel for the current schedule.
Taxis in Pucon are reliable and cheap by Chilean standards. A ride across town costs $2-4. To Termas Los Pozones on Camino Palguin it's around $15-20 one-way. Uber works intermittently. don't rely on it for early morning transfers to the airport in Temuco.
When to book and when to walk in
January is Chile's school holiday month. Every hotel in Pucon fills up, particularly the Lakefront properties and anything near Playa Grande. Book Antumalal, Malalhue, or Vira Vira at least 6-8 weeks out for January dates. We've seen this mistake hundreds of times. people assume 'small town' means 'available'.
March through May is genuinely great value. Temperatures are still 12-18°C, the lake is swimmable into March, and rates at mid-range hotels drop 20-35%. The shoulder weeks between late November and early December are similar. Low season from June-August brings the best prices but requires a car for most of the area's attractions.
Pucon's best neighborhoods
Town Center is your base if you want everything walkable. restaurants on Avenida O'Higgins, the bus terminal, bike rentals. But if you're here for the lake and the volcano views, Lakefront is where you should be sleeping.
Town Center 4 vetted hotels Everything walkable, every budget covered.
Everything walkable, every budget covered.
The Town Center clusters around Avenida O'Higgins and the streets branching off it: Fresia, Ansorena, Palguin, Lincoln. This is where you eat, rent gear, catch buses, and stumble back from dinner. Four of our 10 vetted hotels sit here.
Price range is wide. Hostel Éclate at $45-75/night and Hotel El Refugio at $70-95/night are your budget and value picks. Step up to Hotel Malalhue ($125-180/night) and you're getting a proper mid-range experience with a pool and good service. Hotel Araucarias at $150-210/night rounds out the family-friendly end.
One thing to know: the streets nearest the bus terminal on O'Higgins get traffic noise until late. Ask for a courtyard-facing room at any Town Center hotel. Walk 6 minutes south toward Avenida Costanera and the atmosphere shifts completely.
Lakefront 2 vetted hotels Wake up facing Villarrica. Worth every extra peso.
Wake up facing Villarrica. Worth every extra peso.
The Lakefront strip runs along Avenida Klénner on the central shore and continues west toward Punta Chico. Hotel Gudenschwager sits on the central lakefront with direct water access and views straight across to the volcano. Hotel y Spa del Lago is the grander option, with full spa facilities and a private beach area on Playa Grande.
This is Pucon's most visually rewarding location, but it comes at a cost. Gudenschwager runs $110-160/night, which is actually reasonable for what you get. Hotel y Spa del Lago is a different category entirely at $260-380/night. Chile's domestic luxury market fills it every January without batting an eye.
You're 15 minutes walk from the restaurant-heavy streets on Fresia and Ansorena. Most guests don't mind. The hotels have solid on-site dining and the lake access makes up for it. In peak summer, book Gudenschwager's upper-floor rooms facing the water two months in advance.
Lakefront West 1 vetted hotel The most iconic address in Pucon. No debate.
The most iconic address in Pucon. No debate.
Hotel Antumalal sits on a cliff edge on the western lakefront road, about 3 km from Town Center. The property was designed in the 1950s by a Czech architect and it still looks like nothing else in Chile. Every room faces the lake and the Villarrica cone directly. The rated 9.1 on our scale is earned.
You'll need a taxi or rental car to get into town from here. it's a 35-minute walk along the lakefront road, which is doable but not practical with luggage. Rates run $200-260/night. That puts it below the full luxury tier but well above mid-range, which is the sweet spot it occupies perfectly.
The terraced gardens drop to a private dock. Kayaks are available for guests. Book a Deluxe lake-view room and don't bother with the standard category. the price gap is small and the view difference is significant.
Quelhue Road & Outlying Areas 1 vetted hotel Quiet, spacious, and 10 minutes from everything.
Quiet, spacious, and 10 minutes from everything.
Camino Quelhue heads northeast out of Pucon toward the Quelhue community and the Río Trancura valley. Cabanas Ruca Malen sits out here. about 4 km from Town Center, which is 10 minutes by car or a long 45-minute walk. The cabin setup gives you genuine privacy and space that Town Center hotels simply can't offer.
Rates of $130-195/night are competitive for what you get: standalone cabins, mountain views, and proper quiet. This works best if you have a car and you're planning day trips rather than walking to restaurants every night. The Río Trancura rafting put-in is 10 minutes down the road.
It's a genuine local neighborhood out there. You're not in a resort bubble. The small almacén on Camino Quelhue sells basics, and there's a panadería that opens at 7am. grab marraqueta and manjar before your morning hike.
Huerquehue & Liucura Valley 2 vetted hotels As remote as Pucon gets. and that's a compliment.
As remote as Pucon gets. and that's a compliment.
This covers two distinct areas: the Huerquehue park entrance zone (35 km northeast on Camino Huerquehue) and the Liucura River valley (15 km east on Ruta 199 toward Argentina). Lodge Tinquilco is in the first, Vira Vira in the second. Both require a car. Neither apologizes for it.
Lodge Tinquilco at $170-230/night is a romantic nature lodge with trail access starting at the gate. Vira Vira at $420-650/night is a full luxury farm-hotel with spa, trout ponds, and river access. These are not comparable products. they just share a ZIP code. Both make the most of the Andean pre-cordillera environment in ways Town Center hotels can't touch.
Phone signal is weak in both locations. Embrace it. The Liucura River road has dramatic scenery. snow-capped Andean peaks visible on clear days and native lenga beech forests on both sides. Don't rush the drive.
Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel and we'll point you to the right part of Pucon.
Romantic
Lakefront West around Hotel Antumalal is your best call. Cliffside gardens, private dock, and a volcano across the water at sunset. it does the work for you.
Culture & History
The Town Center on Avenida O'Higgins is where Mapuche craft markets, local arts spaces, and the Municipalidad building give you the most authentic sense of the region. Walk two blocks off the main drag and the tourist veneer disappears fast.
Family
The Town Center side near Avenida Costanera is best for families. Playa Grande is 12 minutes walk from Hotel Araucarias, and the calm lake swimming is safe for kids from December through February.
Budget
Stay on the Town Center side near Avenida Lincoln and Avenida O'Higgins, where Hostel Éclate keeps rates at $45-75/night. You're walking distance from everything and spending your money on activities instead of a room.
Beach & Lake
The Lakefront along Avenida Klénner is the only call if you want direct water access. Hotel y Spa del Lago has private beach frontage on Playa Grande, and the lake hits a swimmable 18-20°C in January.
Foodie
The best eating in Pucon is on Avenida Fresia and the intersecting blocks of Ansorena. Stay Town Center so you can walk to La Maga for parrilla, Latitude 39 for craft beer, or the morning market on Avenida O'Higgins before 9am.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
When to Visit Pucon
When to visit Pucon and what to pay.
Summer (Dec-Feb)
This is Pucon at full volume. Playa Grande is packed, the volcano climb is fully operational, and every tour operator on Avenida Fresia has a queue. January is the peak of Chile's school holidays. Town Center rates jump 30-40% over shoulder season. Book Lakefront hotels 6-8 weeks out minimum, or lose your preferred room entirely.
Autumn (Mar-May)
March is genuinely the best month to be here. The lake is still warm from summer, the crowds thin out after the Chilean school return, and hotel rates drop 20-30% across every category. The araucaria and lenga forests in Huerquehue start turning gold by April. Lodge Tinquilco and Vira Vira are at their most atmospheric in this season.
Winter (Jun-Aug)
Cold, quiet, and genuinely cheap. Town Center hostels drop to their floor prices and even Hotel Antumalal softens rates significantly. Ski season at Centro de Ski Villarrica runs July-September, which pulls a different crowd. Chilean ski families rather than adventure backpackers. Some smaller operators and restaurants on Ansorena close entirely. Come with a car and low expectations of nightlife.
Spring (Sep-Nov)
Everything reopens through October and November as operators gear up for summer. The volcano climb resumes in late October when Sernageomin permits allow. Hotel rates in this period are $80-190/night. reasonable for the quality available. Late November hits the sweet spot: warm enough to enjoy the lake, quiet enough to get a lakefront room without a fight.
Booking Tips for Pucon
Insider tips for booking hotels in Pucon.
Book January at least 6 weeks out
Chilean school holidays fall in January and Pucon is the country's most popular summer resort town. Lakefront hotels on Avenida Klénner and properties near Playa Grande fill up completely. If you want Hotel Antumalal or Hotel y Spa del Lago in high summer, you need to move in December. We've seen this mistake hundreds of times.
Don't book tours through hotel lobbies
Walk 5 minutes to the tour agency strip on Avenida Fresia before committing to anything. Lobby-booked volcano climbs and rafting trips on Río Trancura typically cost $15-30 more per person than booking direct. Operators like Sol y Nieve and Aguaventura both have street-facing offices where you can compare prices and guides face-to-face.
Check volcanic alert levels before your trip
Volcán Villarrica is one of South America's most active volcanoes. Sernageomin publishes alert levels at sernageomin.cl. the climb is suspended at Yellow alert (Level 2) and above. In 2015 and 2023 there were evacuations. It doesn't mean don't go; it means check before you fly and again on arrival at the CONAF office on O'Higgins.
Rent bikes for Town Center exploring
Pucon's Town Center is flat and genuinely bikeable. Gear shops on Palguin Street and O'Higgins rent mountain bikes for $10-15/day. You can ride to Playa Grande in 8 minutes from most Town Center hotels, or follow the lakefront path west toward Hotel Antumalal. Much better than flagging taxis for short trips.
Huerquehue trails get crowded by 10am in January
The Lagos circuit in Parque Nacional Huerquehue (35 km from Pucon on Camino Huerquehue) is Pucon's best day hike. But in January, the 7 km trail to Lagos Verde and Toro gets congested fast. Leave before 8am from your hotel. If you're staying at Lodge Tinquilco, you're starting 200 meters from the trailhead and already ahead of everyone else.
Ask for volcano-facing rooms specifically
At Lakefront hotels, not every room faces the volcano. At Hotel Gudenschwager, upper-floor rooms on the lake side face Villarrica directly. street-side rooms look at a road. At Hotel Antumalal, the Deluxe lake-view rooms justify the price gap over standard rooms. Call or email the property directly and ask which exact rooms have unobstructed volcano views. Don't rely on the booking platform photos.
Hotels in Pucon — FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking hotels in Pucon.
What's the best area to stay in Pucon?
The Lakefront along Avenida Klénner is the sweet spot. You're 5 minutes walk from Playa Grande and you wake up looking at Volcán Villarrica. Town Center on Avenida O'Higgins works better if you're on a tighter budget, with options starting at $45/night and everything from gear rentals to restaurants within a 10-minute walk.
When is the best time to visit Pucon?
December through February is peak Chilean summer. The lake is swimmable, every tour operator is open, and Playa Grande is packed with locals from Santiago. January is the busiest single month. book 6-8 weeks out minimum. If you want good weather without the crowds, go in late November or early March.
How do I get to Pucon from Santiago?
Fly into Temuco's Aeropuerto La Araucanía, then it's a 90-minute bus or transfer to Pucon. JAC and Tur-Bus both run the Temuco-Pucon route for around $5-8. Alternatively, overnight buses from Santiago's Terminal Alameda go direct to Pucon's terminal on Avenida O'Higgins. the journey takes about 9 hours and tickets run $18-35.
How much should I budget for a hotel in Pucon?
Budget options around the Town Center start at $45/night. Mid-range hotels like Hotel Malalhue or Cabanas Ruca Malen run $125-195/night. For something genuinely luxurious. think Vira Vira out in Liucura Valley. you're looking at $420-650/night, and it's worth every peso if you can swing it.
Is Pucon safe for tourists?
Pucon is one of Chile's safer tourist towns. The Town Center around Avenida O'Higgins and Fresia Street is well-lit and active until late in summer. One thing to know: outdoor activity risks are real. the volcano, river rapids, and trails demand proper gear and licensed guides. Check Sernageomin's volcanic alert level before booking any Villarrica summit climb.
Do I need a car in Pucon?
For Town Center or Lakefront hotels, no. You can walk everywhere that matters. Playa Grande, restaurants on Avenida Fresia, gear shops on Palguin Street. But for Huerquehue, Quelhue Road, or Liucura Valley properties like Lodge Tinquilco and Vira Vira, a rental car or arranged transfers are basically required. Car rental agencies cluster near Avenida O'Higgins, starting around $40-60/day in low season.
What's Pucon like in winter?
June through August is cold. temperatures drop to 2-6°C at night. Most tour operators scale back and some smaller hostels close entirely. But ski season at Centro de Ski Villarrica (on the volcano's slopes) runs July-September, and hotels like Hotel Antumalal and Lodge Tinquilco are genuinely romantic in the off-season. You'll pay 30-40% less than summer rates.
Are there good family hotels in Pucon?
Hotel Araucarias on the Town Center side is the standout family pick, with kid-friendly facilities and rates of $150-210/night. It's 12 minutes walk from Playa Grande and close to the small amusement areas near Avenida Costanera. Cabanas Ruca Malen on Quelhue Road is a strong alternative if you want more space. the cabin format gives families room to breathe.
Which hotels have the best views of Volcán Villarrica?
Hotel Antumalal on the Lakefront West is designed specifically around the volcano view. rooms face directly across Lago Villarrica to Villarrica cone. Hotel Gudenschwager on the central Lakefront has similar views from upper floors. Both charge a premium for it: $110-260/night depending on season and room type.
What should I avoid in Pucon?
Skip the cluster of generic hostels around the bus terminal on Avenida O'Higgins. They're loud, often poorly maintained, and charge rates that don't reflect the quality. Also avoid booking outdoor excursions through hotel lobbies. walk 5 minutes to the tour agencies on Avenida Fresia and compare prices directly. You'll save $15-30 per activity easily.
Can I visit Pucon without climbing the volcano?
Absolutely. The volcano climb is one activity out of dozens. Parque Nacional Huerquehue (35 minutes from town center by car) has incredible lago-to-lago hiking. The Ojos del Caburgua waterfalls are 17 km out on Camino Caburga. Río Trancura runs right through the area for rafting. You could spend a week here and never lace up a crampon.
Are Pucon hotels pet-friendly?
A handful accept small pets, but it's not the norm. Cabanas Ruca Malen on Quelhue Road is one of the more flexible options. the cabin-style setup makes it easier. Always confirm directly with the property before booking. Chilean hotels rarely advertise pet policies clearly online, and showing up with a dog at Hotel y Spa del Lago is not a situation you want.