Frommer's Review
The internationally acclaimed Hotel Explora is San Pedro's luxury lodging option -- very expensive, but worth every peso if you can afford it. The hotel operates as a package-inclusive hotel, a short walk from town. Like its counterpart in Patagonia, the Explora in Atacama is elegant yet unpretentious. The exteriors are plain, yet the lounge and guest rooms are tastefully appointed, decorated with local art, and painted in quiet, primary tones. The lounge, with soaring ceilings, is enormous, stretching the length of the building and scattered with plush, multicolor couches. Guest rooms have ultra-comfortable beds with crisp linens and fluffy down comforters; each bathroom comes with a Jacuzzi tub. A wall-to-wall cutout window affords a panoramic view; try to get a room facing the Volcano Licancabúr. Slatted boardwalks lead guests around the property to an adobe-walled massage salon; a stargazing platform (with state-of-the-art telescopes); a barbecue quincho; and their four irrigation-style pools, whose chic design and quenching allure beckon you to dive in. The cuisine, a daily set menu, is superb.
Explora's excursions seek to introduce guests to the unknown, those off-the-beaten-path places where few others go. If a destination is popular, Explora guides show guests the other side or encompass the destination into part of a more thorough expedition. It has recently refocused its excursions to prioritize full-day trips, which involve some kind of physical exertion. There are few excursions for inactive guests, however. One wing of the hotel is an "Explorer's Room," with an extensive library and large-scale maps to help plan your daily journeys with your guide. Packages include lodging, all excursions, meals, airport transfers, and an open bar.
Facilities:
Restaurant; bar; 4 outdoor pools; sauna; mountain bikes; massage; babysitting; laundry service; TV room; horseback riding
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
