Hotel Puerta del Sur and Cervecería Kunstmann have opened the Bier Spa on Isla Teja, Valdivia, billed as Chile's first beer spa: two private rooms with four native oak tubs, a sauna and 90-minute sessions with Kunstmann beer, after an investment of about 200 million pesos. The project draws on the beer spas made popular in Central European cities such as Prague, Chef & Hotel reported.
The experience takes up about 150 square metres inside the hotel, on the edge of the Río Cruces wetland, and is designed for groups of two to four per room, according to Diario de Valdivia. It adds a new option to Valdivia's beer scene just before the summer season.
What the Valdivia Bier Spa includes
View the data as a table
| Approximate investment | $200 M |
| Minutes per session | 90 |
| Native oak tubs | 4 |
| Square metres | ~150 |
In each 90-minute session guests can freely combine a soak in the tub, rest, a cold shower, the sauna and Kunstmann beer, with an alcohol-free option. Despite the name, nobody bathes in beer: the bath contains Epsom salts, bicarbonate, brewer's yeast, hops and essential oils, and the beer is served to drink during the session, Chef & Hotel explained.
| Bier Spa facts | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Hotel Puerta del Sur, Isla Teja, Valdivia (Los Ríos Region) | Chef & Hotel |
| Partners | Hotel Puerta del Sur and Cervecería Kunstmann | Chef & Hotel |
| Space | About 150 m², 2 private rooms | Diario de Valdivia |
| Tubs | 4, in pellín and hualle oak, handmade by Juan Tuma (Taller Teja) | Chef & Hotel |
| Capacity | 2 to 4 people per room | Diario de Valdivia |
| Length | 90 minutes | Chef & Hotel |
| Bath | Epsom salts, bicarbonate, yeast, hops and essential oils | Chef & Hotel |
| Access | For hotel guests | Chef & Hotel |
| Investment | About 200 million pesos | Diario de Valdivia |
A practical note: according to the published information, the experience is available to hotel guests. Neither source published a price per session, so ask when you book. If you do not drink, the alcohol-free version lets you enjoy the session anyway.
Why a beer spa in Valdivia
The idea ties into almost two centuries of history. In 1851 Carlos Anwandter began brewing at his home on Isla Teja, the origin of a tradition that became part of the city's identity. That industry was cut short after the 1960 earthquake, and in 1991 Armin Kunstmann and his family founded Cervecería Kunstmann to revive it, Chef & Hotel recalled.
- 1851Carlos Anwandter starts brewing on Isla Teja
- 1960The earthquake interrupts the brewing tradition
- 1991Cervecería Kunstmann is foundedFounded by Armin Kunstmann and his family.
- Nov 2026Bier Spa opens at Puerta del Sur
"Valdivia already has its own brewing identity, so we wanted to take that concept and turn it into an experience connected to the history of Isla Teja, its surroundings and its materials," said Claudio Perek, executive director of Puerta del Sur. The interior was co-designed by architect Janet Fried, co-owner of the hotel, with Camila de Cárcer, using local wood and stone.
The Bier Spa and Valdivia's beer trail
For a beer-themed day, Kunstmann's brewery and restaurant are on the road to Niebla, a few kilometres from Isla Teja, and the centre has craft breweries and the riverside market. Our guide to things to do in Valdivia covers the river market, the sea lions, Niebla Fort and river cruises. If you prefer natural hot water, see Chile's best hot springs.
| Plan in Valdivia | Why go | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Bier Spa on Isla Teja | Tubs, sauna and beer by the wetland | 90 minutes |
| Kunstmann brewery | Brewery and restaurant of Valdivia's best-known brand | 2-3 hours |
| Riverside market | Fish, seafood and sea lions on the waterfront | 1 hour |
| Niebla Fort | Spanish fortification facing Corral Bay | Half a day with transfer |
| River cruises | Boat trips on the Calle-Calle and Valdivia rivers | 1-5 hours |
When to visit Valdivia and the Bier Spa
Valdivia is rainy for much of the year, which makes an indoor, hot-water plan useful in any season. In summer, December to March, there are more outdoor activities and river cruises; in autumn and winter the Bier Spa is a good way to spend rainy afternoons. On Saturday 14 November there is a heat alert in the Los Ríos foothills, with up to 31 °C, and rain returns from Sunday.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Bier Spa?
At Hotel Puerta del Sur on Isla Teja, Valdivia, on the edge of the Río Cruces wetland.
Do you bathe in beer?
No. The bath contains Epsom salts, bicarbonate, brewer's yeast, hops and essential oils. Kunstmann beer is served to drink during the session, with an alcohol-free option.
How long is a session?
90 minutes, in private rooms for two to four people.
How much does the Bier Spa cost?
The price was not published in the announcements of 13 November 2026. The experience is available to hotel guests; ask for the rate when booking.
