Nayara Hangaroa
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Hotel Details
Location
Easter Island
Chile, South America
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Key Highlights
- ✓Guests consistently laud Nayara Hangaroa for several outstanding aspects:
- ✓Comfort:** Guests consistently describe the rooms as "very comfortable" and "super comfortable and clean," equipped with hypo-allergenic bedding and soundproofing for excellent sleep quality.
- ✓The culinary offerings at Nayara Hangaroa are a significant highlight, with guests frequently praising the "outstanding" and "delicious food." The hotel features three distinct dining options:
Expert Review: Nayara Hangaroa
Nayara Hangaroa, a Michelin Key Selected property on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile, consistently receives high praise for its exceptional design, attentive service, and integration with the island's unique culture and environment. It is recognized as a five-star luxury resort that provides a memorable and immersive experience.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
Nayara Hangaroa garners an "Exceptional" rating, with a consistent score of 9.5 out of 10 on platforms like Booking.com. Guests frequently describe it as a "dream hotel on a dream island," highlighting its ability to create a profound connection with the magical and sacred surroundings of Easter Island. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests expressing a desire to return.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud Nayara Hangaroa for several outstanding aspects:
- Design & Architecture: The hotel's architecture is a significant draw, inspired by the ancient Orongo ceremonial village. It features curvilinear walls, grass roofs, and utilizes local natural materials such as volcanic rock, clay, and cypress trunks, allowing it to seamlessly blend into the natural environment. Many guests describe the property as "a piece of art."
- Service & Staff: The staff is frequently singled out for their "kindness, professionalism" and "attentive" nature. They are praised for being "super friendly and always ready to help," assisting with everything from airport transfers to arranging excursions. Personalized touches, such as welcome flower necklaces and birthday compliments, enhance the guest experience.
- Location: The hotel boasts a "privileged location" overlooking a stunning bay and the Pacific Ocean, offering magnificent sunset views. It is conveniently situated less than a mile (1 km) from Mataveri International Airport (IPC) and provides a complimentary shuttle service. Importantly, it's within a 10-15 minute walk of Hanga Roa, the island's main village, allowing easy access to local shops, restaurants, and attractions.
- Amenities: Nayara Hangaroa offers excellent facilities, including a full-service Manavai Spa with a fitness center, a sun terrace, and the island's largest year-round outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi is available in public areas, and the hotel excels in organizing well-planned cultural and adventure tours with knowledgeable local guides.
3. Room Quality
The 75 guest rooms and suites (Kainga and Ma'unga) are designed to offer a cool, relaxing, and sophisticated retreat. They are built with indigenous materials like cypress logs, clay, and volcanic stone, and feature minimalist decoration that fuses rustic elements.
- Comfort: Guests consistently describe the rooms as "very comfortable" and "super comfortable and clean," equipped with hypo-allergenic bedding and soundproofing for excellent sleep quality.
- Design & Features: All rooms are spacious (Kainga rooms are 527 sq ft, Ma'unga suites are 796 sq ft with a living room and double-height ceilings) and include a private terrace with ocean views. Bathrooms are a highlight, featuring wash basins carved from volcanic rock, circular mosaic-tiled showers, and handcrafted freestanding soak tubs made of dark clay. The design also incorporates state-of-the-art technology for water and electricity conservation.
4. Dining Experience
The culinary offerings at Nayara Hangaroa are a significant highlight, with guests frequently praising the "outstanding" and "delicious food." The hotel features three distinct dining options:
- Poerava: The main restaurant, Poerava, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a mix of traditional Rapa Nui and international cuisines with spectacular ocean views from its indoor and al-fresco areas.
- Kaloa Lounge: Described as a romantic and sophisticated venue, the Kaloa Lounge is ideal for sunset cocktails and dinner, specializing in "surf and turf" dishes seasoned with Polynesian spices.
- Vaikoa Bar: This bar provides a relaxed setting for drinks and a more casual food menu throughout the day.
- Breakfast: The complimentary breakfast buffet at Poerava is highly rated (guest review score: 10 on Booking.com) and described as "very complete." It includes a wide variety of options such as American, buffet, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, with warm dishes, fresh pastries, local fruits like "baby pineapples," cheese, and juices.
The cuisine emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients, particularly seafood, sweet potatoes, plantains, and mangoes.
5. Service & Staff
The service at Nayara Hangaroa is consistently rated as "exceptional," with staff receiving a 9.7/10 on Booking.com. Guests commend the team's "professionalism," "friendliness," and "attentiveness." From the personalized welcome at the airport with a flower lei to the efficient tour desk managed by knowledgeable local guides, the staff goes above and beyond to enhance the guest experience. They are readily available to assist with all arrangements, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable stay.
6. Location & Accessibility
Nayara Hangaroa enjoys a prime location on Easter Island. Situated on a small peninsula at the south end of Hanga Roa, it offers panoramic ocean views. The hotel is very accessible, being less than a mile from Mataveri International Airport (IPC) with a complimentary airport shuttle service. Its proximity to Hanga Roa town (an 18-minute walk or 10-15 minutes on foot) allows guests to easily explore local life, shops, and other dining options. The location also serves as an excellent base for organized excursions to iconic island attractions like Ahu Tongariki and Rano Kau.
7. Value & Pricing
While Nayara Hangaroa is a luxury property, its value for money is rated 8.7/10 by guests. Room prices can range from approximately $446 to $2473 per night, depending on the room type and season. Many guests opt for packages that often include meals and a selection of daily tours, which are considered well-organized and reasonably priced, contributing significantly to the perceived value. Guests note that visiting during the low season can offer "excellent value." The comprehensive amenities and stellar service are key factors in guests feeling the cost is justified.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:
- Communication: A few guests reported opportunities for improved communication regarding the cost of the buffet lunch for those on specific meal plans, and more advance notice for tour cancellations due to weather.
- Excursion Availability: One guest felt disappointed when a desired sunrise excursion was deemed unavailable due to claimed cloud cover, while guests at another hotel reportedly had a similar experience.
- Bathroom Efficiency: One review mentioned that while rooms were spacious, the bathroom shower was "not efficient."
- Island Context: It's important to note that Easter Island is one of the world's most remote inhabited islands. As such, procuring building supplies and maintaining infrastructure can be challenging. Guests are generally advised to approach this with appropriate expectations, embracing it as part of the unique experience of visiting such an isolated destination.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:
