Guests weave, carve, and create alongside master artisans and take home what they make

In the communities of Ilque and Huelmo, on the shores of Lago Llanquihue in Chile’s Lake Region, a centuries-old weaving tradition is being kept alive, and Hotel AWA is inviting guests to learn it firsthand.

The award-winning boutique hotel has launched a monthly series of cultural workshops, placing guests in direct contact with the living craft traditions of southern Chile. Led by master artisans whose communities are internationally recognized, the workshops are intimate, hands-on, and designed to leave guests with more than a souvenir.

Three Artisan Workshops

Three rotating formats offer a genuine encounter with the region’s craft heritage, each led by an artisan who has dedicated their life to keeping it alive.

The Manila Basket Weaving Workshop is led by Marisol Mancilla and Sandra Chávez, master artisans from the communities of Ilque and Huelmo, both recognized in 2023 by the World Crafts Council as Craft Cities, a distinction held by fewer than 100 communities worldwide. Working with natural manila fiber and traditional techniques passed down through generations, guests weave a small basket to take home. The two-hour workshop accommodates up to ten participants, with all tools and materials provided.

The Traditional Loom Weaving Workshop draws on a textile heritage more than 150 years old, rooted in the Reloncaví area and recognized by the World Crafts Council in the same 2023 designation. Master artisans Leonila Chávez and Érica Hernández guide participants through the construction of a small loom and the weaving of a traditional choapino — a characteristic local rug — using ancestral knot-weaving techniques that remain in active use in the community today. Each guest takes home the piece they create.

“We learned this craft from our ancestors and have spent our whole lives weaving. These workshops help people understand what the work is really like. It begins with shearing the sheep, washing and spinning the wool, dyeing it, and finally weaving it. It is a long, labor-intensive process, and not an easy one to value without experiencing it firsthand,” says master weaver Leonila Chávez.

The Stone Carving Workshop, led by sculptor and artisan Marco Fuentes, introduces guests to stone carving rooted in the region’s pre-colonial visual culture. Using slate, chisel, and hammer, participants carve a figure inspired by Chilean rock art, creating a tangible connection to that heritage. All tools and materials are provided, and every carved piece goes home with its maker.

Following each workshop, artisans display and sell their work at the hotel, offering an opportunity to support the makers and bring a piece of southern Chile home.

Workshops are included for guests on Hotel AWA’s all-inclusive program and available to all other guests for an additional fee.

Coffee Workshops

In collaboration with Café Folks, a Puerto Varas-based specialty coffee brand ranked 50th in the “100 Best Coffee Shops in South America” and already served in guest rooms and at breakfast, Hotel AWA now offers monthly workshops exploring filtered coffee and espresso preparation, with tastings of different varieties.

Some sessions will involve the bar team to develop coffee-based cocktails and mocktails; others will connect to reading spaces, live music, and craft clubs, creating a broader cultural experience around coffee.