Silversea Unveils Details of New Antarctica Hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South
The hotel is set to open ahead of the 2025-26 Antarctica season.
Photo: Silversea
Silversea today revealed new details about The Cormorant at 55 South, its new 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, set to open ahead of the 2025-26 Antarctica season.
Named for its location at 55° South—making it the southernmost hotel in the world—and the cormorant seabird, which Silversea calls a symbol of the seafarer, the hotel is designed to offer guests both comfort and a sense of connection to the surrounding environment. The cormorant is traditionally known to “bestow good fortune on guests embarking on their greatest adventure,” the cruise line said.
The hotel will feature 150 rooms, each with large windows offering views of either the nearby forest or the Beagle Channel. The interiors will incorporate handcrafted, locally sourced items, and the staff will be made up of local residents trained to Silversea’s hospitality standards.
Beyond the immersive design, the hotel is part of a larger strategy to create a seamless, high-end guest experience for those joining Silversea’s six-day Antarctica Fly-Cruise itinerary, which includes a flight over the Drake Passage.
Silversea moved its homeport for Antarctica sailings from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Puerto Williams, Chile, in 2022—a significant shift for the luxury cruise line. While Ushuaia is a bustling city of about 83,000, with a shopping district and European-style architecture, Puerto Williams has a population of fewer than 3,000. That contrast created the need for an ultra-luxury property tailored to Silversea’s guests.
The relocation, followed shortly by the launch of Silversea’s Antarctica Fly Cruise, gave the line full autonomy out of Puerto Williams, operating without competition. The addition of the hotel extends that control, providing a place for guests to stay in the event of delays or disruptions to charter flights to King George Island, where the cruises embark. Silversea is calling it “a relaxing way station in a beautiful setting.”
The hotel also gives Silversea a dedicated space for guests to try on expedition gear—waterproof pants, boots, and parkas—before boarding. Any needed adjustments can be made on land, streamlining the experience onboard.
