Nayara Alto Atacama

Everyone at the hotel is SO nice! Eros, Ariel, Jose, Alvaro, Freddy, Pia- everyone! The rooms are so comfortable and clean, beautiful grounds, and the food is fantastic. Literally everything is perfect (the photos on their site don't do it justice!). The excursions were wonderful too. We highly recommend (and we're picky!).

We stayed at this hotel 7 -10th January and found it to be wonderful. You are in the Atacama, so it is very dry and quite high, so you will find a humidifier in your room to off set this, and it is cooler in the evening, but the rooms are vey comfortable and we both slept well during our stay there. This was part of a one month trip around Chile, including Rapa Nui, where we stayed at the Explorer property, so we can compare both in some respects as the are similar in ethos. The rooms are spacious with good amenities with very comfortable beds and linen. Bath rooms are large with shower, though water as you should be aware before travelling there, is a scarce resource so don't expect monsoon showers. Indeed used toilet paper is not to be placed in the toilet bowel, but in a sealed bin which will be emptied twice per day, not unlike some Greek Island properties we have stayed at in the past, so not unusual when water is scarce resource. It is a spacious property with 4 small pools which are more plunge pools, so not really for doing laps in, but you don't come there to sit in the sun, which is ferocious at this height with very high UV levels of which more later. The grounds are well maintained and pretty and you would struggle to be disappointed bearing in mind where you are. Also do make a point of going to the observatory to look at the night sky, it is rather special at this height and with such clean air. The food and bar service which were included in our stay were of a very high standard, with attentive staff and we could always find something we wanted to try on the menu, which was quite extensive and would not disappoint. Also we were blessed in that some of our fellow guest which we shared certain trips with from Brazil became dinning partners during our stay, and we greatly enjoyed their company during our stay, and indeed we have remained in touch afterwards. Its that sort of place, and indeed country, as we found other people elsewhere during out travels equally friendly, so maybe Chile attracts like minded people, or we were very lucky, but a great vibe. Anyway you are here to see the Atacama so you will be asked what trips you want to do as soon as you arrive, so its good to do some homework before your arrival, and have an idea what you want to to do and what indeed you can achieve bearing in mind your location. We undertook the Rainbow valley walk, Thermal Springs, Salt Pans for Flamingoes, Sun Set walk , high altitude Geyser trek. The later is at high altitude 4600m, and involves around a 4.00am start from San Pedro, and quite a drive on unlit and untarmacked roads in the dark. It is relatively cool up there before the sun comes up at around -2c but being from Yorkshire in the UK we wondered around with a rugby top over a polo shirt and were quite comfortable, but we are used to a cold climate, others were extremely well wrapped up but still cold but it depends what you are used to. I would say a hat and sunglasses are essential in the Atacama and factor 50 blocker as well combined with moisturizer as it really is that dry when the sun comes up. We enjoyed all of our trips, with perhaps the thermal springs being the one we would change for Salt Bathing, if we were to go there again, which we very much might, as we did enjoy the activities and indeed the guides that much. The guides have to be mentioned separately as they are part of the thing which makes or breaks your experience of any trip like this, indeed anywhere on the planet. We had two guides Percy and Francesca for our treks, both were excellent and well on top of their briefs and subjects, and we can highly recommend them and know doubt others are equally professional. We feel we have to make a special mention of Francesca at this point, as she undertook our first sun set trek on our first evening there. I should explain that my wife was injured in a road accident some years ago, and as a result has a weakness in her knees. Francesca took time to understand this, and planned accordingly without altering anything for fellow gusts, but also encouraged my wife to do things like the sand dune running which she was unsure about at first. Indeed she has probably caused a bit of an epiphany moment during our stay through her kind and caring approach, though with a can do attitude. Indeed we now have a saying which we will take forward, which is "I am channeling my inner Francesca" or "what would Francesca do ". It really was a pleasure to meet her, and we will always remember our "Team Francesca" moments probably for the rest of our lives. Bravo young women. Cheers Libby & Mac

This property and all it offered far exceeded my expectations! My husband and I just returned from a week long stay here. Our suite had the most amazing outdoor shower with a daybed and there was also a beautiful and spacious outdoor patio at the other end of the room with a large daybed and view of the surrounding cliffs. The room was very large and spacious and the bed so very comfortable. There is something special about the people of Chili - the staff here is beyond excellent and the service outstanding. They went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. I loved that we did not have to make a reservation for any meal - you just show up and there’s always a table and the food is delicious. We also loved the multiple swimming pools - all immaculately clean while providing privacy as one can often get a pool all to oneself. We took several excursions - all of which were organized and run in a most professional way. Each excursion exceeded my expectations. The best part of the property is why I chose it - the surrounding scenery and open air feel. Everywhere you look it’s beautiful desert. We were so happy there and having such a great time we tried to stay longer. We will definitely return and do the excursions we missed. I’ve stayed at Amangiri in Utah USA several times and this property is comparable if not BETTER! My favorite vacation is an African safari and this feels the closest to that experience.

We booked two rooms and stayed for five nights with our two grown daughters. Every day, we went on tours which the hotel arranged and had all of our meals, including wine, at the hotel. The hotel is stunning. The location is so picturesque. The staff is attentive and they really try to know your name and preferences. This is truly a five star experience. The nearby town of San Pedro de Atacama is cool, and if you want to visit it, you just have to sign up for a shuttle from the hotel. If you can afford it, this is a real gem.

Superb location just outside San Pedro de Atacama at the start of the Catarpe Valley. Lovely views across the river, especially at sunset. Good restaurant, very good guiding and activities, nice spa and many swimming pools (different temperatures). Also a few resident llamas (the kids enjoyed feeding them). We really enjoyed the astronomy session at night (nice dedicated space on a hill just outside the hotel)