Nayara Alto Atacama
Two Michelin Keys
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Hotel Details
Location
San Pedro de Atacama
Chile, South America
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Key Highlights
- ✓Private Terraces:** All rooms boast private terraces, many offering stunning views of the Catarpe Valley or surrounding mountains.
- ✓Dining for Dietary Needs:** While generally excellent, there were isolated reports of minor oversights regarding vegetarian options.
Expert Review: Nayara Alto Atacama
Nayara Alto Atacama, a Michelin Two-Keys property, consistently garners exceptional praise as a luxury desert retreat that seamlessly blends with its breathtaking surroundings in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Guests frequently describe their stay as an "oasis within the desert" and a "magical place" offering an unforgettable experience.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
Nayara Alto Atacama is highly rated, with many reviews describing it as "Exceptional" and "Amazing from start to finish." The general sentiment highlights profound satisfaction, with guests praising the immersive luxury and the deep connection to the unique Atacama Desert environment.
Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud Nayara Alto Atacama for its exceptional design that blends with the terracotta-hued mountains and incorporates ancient Altiplano building styles. The hotel's strong focus on sustainability and nature is also a significant highlight.
Other beloved aspects include:
- Immersive Excursions: The hotel offers an extensive array of over 35 daily excursions and activities, including hiking, biking, visits to geysers and lagoons, often led by knowledgeable indigenous guides, which guests consistently describe as excellent. The all-inclusive "full experience" package, covering food, drinks, and tours, is a major draw.
- On-site Observatory: The dedicated observatory for stargazing in the famously clear Atacameño skies is a cherished experience for many.
- Puri Spa & Pools: The Puri Spa offers a curated selection of treatments utilizing local, organic products and features six outdoor swimming pools (including heated, salt-water, and mineral hot springs pools), as well as indoor and outdoor hydro-massage baths. Guests often find they have a pool to themselves, enhancing the sense of tranquility.
- Llama Enclosure: The small corral with llamas, where guests can sometimes feed them, adds a charming and fun element.
Room Quality
The 42 adobe-walled rooms and suites (32 rooms, 10 suites) are described as lovely, clean, and comfortable, featuring a pared-back desert chic aesthetic. They are decorated in neutral palettes of ochre, stone, and terracotta, with local artisan crafts.
Key room features include:
- Private Terraces: All rooms boast private terraces, many offering stunning views of the Catarpe Valley or surrounding mountains.
- Comfort & Amenities: Rooms are equipped with king-sized pillowtop beds with premium bedding, complimentary minibars, safes, and free wireless internet.
- Suite Enhancements: The Tilo suites are more spacious and offer additional amenities like enclosed rear terraces with daybeds and outdoor showers.
Dining Experience
Dining at Nayara Alto Atacama is a highlight, with a strong emphasis on local, organic ingredients, some sourced from the hotel's own Andean Garden. The executive chef, Rodrigo Acuña, focuses on delicious Chilean and regional dishes.
The hotel offers several dining venues:
- Ckelar Restaurant: The main restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is praised for its consistently delicious and indulgent meals.
- Fogón Atacameño: A special outdoor South American "quincho" barbecue is offered twice weekly, featuring various cuts of meat and grilled vegetables.
- Puri Bar: Located by the pools, it offers casual lunch options like wraps, burgers, and salads, along with fresh juices and Pisco Sours.
- Ckelar Bar: Provides sandwiches, salads, and local herb-infused drinks, ideal for enjoying appetizers by the firepits.
Breakfast is buffet-style with à la carte options like eggs and omelets. Lunch is typically a three-course meal, and dinner menus are limited but change daily, sometimes accompanied by live piano music. Guests also rave about the elaborate picnic spreads provided during full-day tours.
Service & Staff
The service and staff at Nayara Alto Atacama receive overwhelming accolades, described as "exceptional," "amazing," "attentive," and "incredibly friendly." Many guests note that the staff goes "above and beyond" to provide heartfelt hospitality, making them feel at home. Particular appreciation is shown for the knowledgeable guides on excursions and the efficient, personalized service from the moment of arrival to departure.
Location & Accessibility
Nayara Alto Atacama is situated in a tranquil oasis zone approximately 3 km (about a 5-10 minute drive) from the town of San Pedro de Atacama, in the Catarpe Valley. This slightly removed location allows the resort to blend seamlessly with the dramatic Salt Mountain Range, offering uninterrupted desert views. The hotel provides a shuttle service into San Pedro de Atacama, and guests can also use complimentary bicycles. The nearest airport is Calama (CJC), with transfers to the hotel taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Value & Pricing
Nayara Alto Atacama is positioned as a luxury property, with pricing reflecting its all-inclusive nature (often covering accommodation, meals, drinks, and excursions). While rates can be significant, many guests consider the "full experience" package to be worthwhile, especially during shoulder seasons or when booked with additional perks. Basic rates for rooms can start from around $624.
Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor recurring issues have been noted by guests:
- Room Privacy: Some standard Quitor rooms facing the inner courtyard can have a slight lack of privacy, as people might see into outdoor patio areas or the room if curtains are open.
- Spa Access: There have been instances where guests were told they couldn't use spa facilities without booking a treatment, which was not clearly communicated in the hotel description.
- Pool Hours/Maintenance: Outdoor pools sometimes close early (around 6 pm), making it difficult for guests returning from day tours to use them. One review mentioned an issue with ants in a pool.
- Dining for Dietary Needs: While generally excellent, there were isolated reports of minor oversights regarding vegetarian options.
- Astronomy Tour (Historical): Some past astronomy tours were considered less impressive due to light pollution from the main hotel area. However, the hotel has since opened a new observatory, which may have improved this experience.
- Laundry Service: The laundry service is noted as being an extra cost and somewhat pricey.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor recurring issues have been noted by guests:
- •Pool Hours/Maintenance:** Outdoor pools sometimes close early (around 6 pm), making it difficult for guests returning from day tours to use them. One review mentioned an issue with ants in a pool.
About Two Michelin Keys
Two Michelin Keys recognize hotels that provide an excellent stay experience. These properties stand out for their remarkable quality, distinctive character, and superior service that goes above and beyond expectations.
