For a relatively small island, Rapa Nui has a lot of accommodation options. In fact, it can be quite daunting trying to figure out where to stay on Easter Island. There are practically no chain hotels because the land can only belong to people of the Rapa Nui ethnic group. This protection of property has favored the development of small family-run cabins and eco-lodges. As most of these are managed by the owners, they have always distinguished themselves by offering a close and friendly service while retaining their rustic and traditional character. However, the growth and demands of tourism have led to the first small boutique hotels on Easter Island, which are known for combining a magnificent location with exquisite and personal service. Here are some of the best Easter Island hotels:
The small La Pérouse boutique hotel, named after the French count and navigator who visited the island in 1786, rests in a privileged beachfront location on the coastal edge of Hanga Roa. The property’s proximity to several restaurants and its casual Mediterranean style make it a popular choice for visitors. The main house is a one-story building that brings together the reception, common areas, a terrace to relax on, and three suites with small terraces overlooking the garden. It also has five bungalows, two of which have views of the sea. Guests here love the magnificent breakfast, which can be taken while watching the sea, as well as the exquisite attention and kindness of the staff.
There is nowhere else in all of Rapa Nui where you can sleep so close to a moai statue than at the Takarua Lodge. Being able to see Ahu Tahai from the window of your room is an unbeatable experience. The Takarua Lodge is a small and quiet place, ideal for romantic Rapa Nui, Easter Island stays, with only eight spacious and comfortable rooms, each of which are equipped with air conditioning, minibar, private bathroom, kettle with tea, and coffee, and a nice terrace overlooking the garden. The nearby Te Moai Sunset restaurant has unbeatable views and offers an excellent menu with dishes that mix local ingredients and preparations with others of Peruvian and international inspiration. What more could you ask for?
This hotel is located on the outskirts of Hanga Roa, on the road that leads to Anakena Beach, on an elevated terrain from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the interior of the island. The hotel is comprised of four rustic-style houses connected by wooden walkways. Each one contains four spacious private rooms with a shared bathroom, and a shared living room and kitchen, making this ideal for a Chilean family vacation. In the lower area, there is a nice little pool, built with stones, that mimics the natural pools where the islanders bathe. This is a pleasant place to relax along with the acclaimed Umanga Restaurant, located in the center of the property and open to the general public, where the chef serves traditional Easter Island cuisine based on top quality local products.
The Altiplanico Rapa Nui belongs to a small Chilean hotel chain and was inspired by the traditional “hare paenga” or boat-houses inhabited by the original Rapa Nui people. It is located on the outskirts of Hanga Roa, on an elevated terrain that provides beautiful panoramic views of the coast towards the archaeological site of Hanga Kio’e. It has luxurious gardens, a beautiful swimming pool overlooking the sea and decorated with the eye of a moai, and large open spaces to relax after exploring the seductive mysteries of the island.
The hotel has 16 spacious and elegant, double, and triple rooms, all of which are independent bungalows, linked by outdoor corridors of stone, sand, or grass, and each with a private terrace and a view of the sea. For privacy, the rooms are surrounded by lush gardens of different sizes planted with vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees. The bathroom shower opens to the outdoors for a close-to-nature experience. The restaurant is open every evening and the food is inspired by Peruvian, Chilean, and above all Rapanui cuisine.
O’tai means “On the Coast”, in the Rapanui language, and as its name suggests, the hotel is just footsteps away from the coast, while at the same time in the center of Hanga Roa village and close to nearly all of the most important services. Founded in 1968 with only four rooms, the hotel now boasts 41 rooms and is distinguished by its cozy and homely atmosphere. Facilities include a small library, a TV lounge, conference room, parking, and an international restaurant, which specializes in the traditional cuisine of Rapa Nui.
Hare Nua – grandma’s house – is a boutique hotel located in Atamu Tekena, the main street of Hanga Roa, just five minutes drive from Mataveri International airport. This small 20-room hotel opened in 2017 and its name refers to the original family house, which was built in 1960, complete with a beautiful garden with tipanie trees, a sundeck, an outdoor swimming pool, and a rustic hot tub, which is perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. There is also a massage service utilizing Polynesian oils. Each of the rooms has an en suite bathroom. Breakfasts with organic, homemade, and healthy products are prepared every day by the chef. There is also an onsite bar with a lounge and terrace.
Varua Room At Explora Rapa Nui
Located five miles from Rapa Nui’s main town, Hanga Roa, the Explora hotel enjoys lovely vistas out over farmland and the Pacific coast. The single-story rounded structures that make up this futuristic-like property take their inspiration from the sensuous forms of the moai statues and the low-lying, rock-strewn geography. The property makes extensive use of recycled pinewood and maximizes the natural airflow, eliminating the need for air-conditioning. The hotel offers a whole gamut of daily activities, ranging from driving and hiking tours of the moai sculptures to cycling trips, boat trips, and snorkeling.
There is also a stylish spa and a library. All 30 rooms – divided into 26 Varua standard rooms and four larger suites – have partial sea views, and walls and windows that artfully combine concrete and unvarnished wooden fixtures. The décor and bedding are bright and bold, while the bathrooms are cool with a modern industrial design aesthetic, offering two sinks and a shower with a hydromassage bathtub. The restaurant makes use of locally caught fish and also taps into classic Chilean dishes. There’s a three-night minimum stay here, with a four-night minimum stay required over Christmas and other holidays.
Located in Easter Island’s main town of Hanga Roa, right on the shoreline looking out to sea, this large, eco-friendly, child-friendly hotel boasts a construction that was inspired by the ceremonial village of Orongo. Rooms are set in individual huts formed of grass-covered roofs, wooden pillars, and dark stone walls. Inside you will find high ceilings and modern furnishings, each completed with a freestanding bathtub carved out of black stone and a large shower decorated with mosaic tiles. Children are welcome and the sofa in each room can be turned into a bed. The sizable spa is also Rapa-Nui-inspired, bounded by a drystone wall mimicking the manavai – the stone walls that enclosed small food-growing areas on the island. The resort has a stunning outdoor pool, a luxurious spa, two restaurants, and a poolside bar, a steam room, a fitness center, and a sauna, as well as a fabulous activity list that includes visits to the beach, bicycle rides, and trekking. This makes the hotel an ideal choice for travelers who like to blend fun and adventure.
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