IN the middle of the southern Andes is the unexpected Magic Mountain: a man-made volcano with a stunning waterfall cascading down its side.

    It’s also the home to the spectacular Montana Magica Lodge, a luxury hotel in the heart of Patagonia’s 300,000-acre (121,405-hectare) Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve in Chile.

    Looking as though it’s been plucked straight out of a fairy tale, the hotel is completely made out of wood and stone, and would no doubt be at home as a background set for “The Hobbit.”

    Located under the majestic Andes Mountain range, the unique hotel is right in the middle of one of the most valued — and endangered — regions in the world.

    Aside from simply relaxing inside the one of a kind hotel, venturing into the rainforest offers guests the opportunity to spot many unique animals, such as the Pudu Deer, which is the world’s smallest at just 13 inches (33 cm) tall.

    Inside, the five-floor hotel boasts an all-natural decor in its 13 small rooms, as well as several hot tubs carved out of gigantic tree trunks, and an intimate bar and restaurant area.

    But to experience the “erupting” hotel, guests will need to brave a swinging rope bridge to enter, as it is only accessible by foot. Among the activities on offer are mini golf, where the holes are made out of the natural terrain, horseback riding, rafting, plenty of hiking trails and more.

    (SD-Agencies)