Puerto Williams Hotel by Silversea Delayed, Opening Now Set for October 2026: What You Need To Know

Published on December 5, 2025

In a recent announcement, Silversea Cruises revealed that the opening of its highly anticipated hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, located in Puerto Williams on the southern tip of South America, has been delayed until October 2026. Initially set to welcome guests in January 2026, the hotel was designed to cater to Antarctica cruise guests booking exclusive fly-cruise packages. However, Silversea has cited the need to complete final touches to meet its stringent quality standards as the reason for the delay.

The hotel was intended to be an integral part of Silversea’s new Antarctic expeditions, providing guests with a luxurious base to relax before embarking on their cruises. With this delay, those planning to visit in the 2025–2026 season will have to make alternative arrangements.

The Cormorant: A Unique Hotel for Antarctic Explorers

The Cormorant at 55 South is set to be the southernmost hotel in the world. Located in Puerto Williams, Chile, this luxury hotel aims to offer guests a comfortable stay before their journeys to Antarctica. The hotel was designed to be a seamless extension of Silversea’s exclusive fly-cruise programme, which allows travellers to skip the challenging Drake Passage crossing and instead fly directly to the Antarctic Peninsula.

The hotel was built using modular construction techniques, with the rooms assembled in Mendoza, Argentina, before being shipped to the remote location in Puerto Williams. This unique construction method reflects the logistical challenges of building in such a rugged and isolated environment. The hotel promises breathtaking views of the Beagle Channel and the Patagonian landscape, with interiors designed to mirror the surrounding natural beauty.

Impact of the Delay on Antarctica Cruise Travellers

For those booking Antarctica cruises with Silversea, the delay may cause some inconvenience. The hotel’s postponement means that fly-cruise packages scheduled for 2025 will not have access to The Cormorant, which was supposed to serve as a base for pre-cruise relaxation and adventure. Instead, travellers will need to find alternative lodging options, likely in nearby Punta Arenas or Ushuaia.

Despite this setback, Silversea has reassured guests that its other services, such as chartered flights to Puerto Williams and its premium Antarctic expeditions, will proceed as planned. However, guests hoping to experience the hotel’s exclusive offerings, such as guided hikes, birdwatching, and other excursions around Patagonia, will need to wait until the new opening date in October 2026.

What The Cormorant Was Meant to Offer

Once open, The Cormorant will serve as a hub for fly-in guests travelling to Antarctica. Some of its key features include:

• Pre-cruise accommodations: Guests will stay in one of the 150 luxury rooms designed to be a home base before their Antarctic journey.
• Exclusive excursions: The hotel will offer guided tours through Magellanic forests, kayaking excursions on the Beagle Channel, and opportunities for wildlife viewing, including birds like Cormorants and sea lions.
• Design and comfort: With interiors that blend with Patagonia’s natural surroundings, The Cormorant aims to provide a serene, nature-inspired atmosphere with wood and earth-toned décor.

These features were designed to provide guests with a unique and immersive experience before they embarked on the journey of a lifetime to the frozen landscapes of Antarctica.

Challenges of Building in Puerto Williams

The construction of The Cormorant has not been without its challenges. Puerto Williams, located on the southernmost edge of Chile in Patagonia, is a notoriously difficult place to build due to its harsh weather conditions and remote location. Silversea president Bert Hernandez previously commented on the difficulty of constructing in such a location, noting the challenges of sourcing materials, transporting them to the site, and building to the high standards expected of a luxury establishment.

The modular construction process, where rooms were built in Mendoza, Argentina, and then transported to Puerto Williams, was designed to overcome some of these logistical hurdles. However, even with this innovative method, delays in finishing the hotel have resulted in the postponement of its grand opening.

Anticipation Builds for 2026 Opening

The delay in opening The Cormorant at 55 South is a temporary setback for those eager to experience this new luxury destination before their Antarctica cruise. However, the completion of the hotel in October 2026 promises to add an unparalleled level of comfort and convenience to Silversea’s already extraordinary Antarctic fly-cruise programme.

Guests planning future trips to Puerto Williams can look forward to a state-of-the-art hotel experience, offering exclusive excursions and easy access to the wild beauty of Patagonia. For now, travellers will need to adjust their plans for the 2025–2026 season and wait until the hotel’s opening for the full experience.