There are certain experiences that are unique to a given place in the world. Staying at a hotel made of salt is something that screams “Salar de Uyuni… Bolivia!” out loud. That’s why when we finally made it to the largest salt flat on earth, we couldn’t pass on the opportunity of enjoying some salty dreams. And that’s what we did at Luna Salada Hotel.
Sitting on top of a small hill, Luna Salada offers a great view over the salt flats
Hotel Luna Salada is about 30 minutes drive form the town of Uyuni itself, and it’s surrounded by nothing except nature. And by nature we mean barren landscape, just where the brownish land starts turning into white. If you walk for about 10 minutes from the hotel, you’d have entered the salt flats, an immense sea of white. This is actually the flattest place on earth and surprisingly enough it’s at quite high altitude, on a plateau about 3800m (aprox. 12500ft) high.
Being this such an unique place, it’s easy to understand how privileged the location of Luna Salada Hotel is. Not only the views over the salar are great, the architecture of the hotel makes sure you enjoy every second of this salty experience. The building is made of salt blocks and had salt flooring as well, and there are also panoramic windows all over the place.
Outdoor seating with view towards the salar
Hammocks with a view
The exception to the salt constructions are the bathrooms that are built with traditional and practical materials.
Inside the room: dressing area
In the bathroom only the walls are made of salt bricks
Be rest assured that the fact that the hotel is made of salt won’t compromise when it comes to comfort levels. There are even some new rooms only partially made of salt (the furniture is still made of salt but the floor is carpeted) in case you want something more in the middle.
Twin salt room
As you’re surrounded by anything but salt, there is a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner buffets and a la carte lunches – and the food is not too salty!
Restaurant with a view over Salar de Uyuni
It does get cold around here, but nothing more comforting than arriving to the hotel in the evening, after an excursion around the salar, to enter a cozy and heated place: there are heaters both in common areas and rooms and inviting seating areas with fireplace, making for a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine, chat or read a book.
Enjoying an evening by the fireplace
One of the multiple salty areas to sit around
Nice seating areas, where everyone can find their own spot!
There is WIFI in the hotel but the reception is really not reliable – in any case, this is probably not the place one comes to for an extended stay (there is nothing to do around here except enjoying the salar), so disconnecting from the world outside can turn out to be a good thing sometimes.
The semi-salt living room
And if you need entertainment, there is a games’ room with pool, table tennis and table soccer available, as well as bike rental to enjoy during the day.
Games room – where Ashray kicked my ass at table tennis!
Souvenir shop inside Luna Salada
Sitting area by the games rooms
It’s in the middle of nowhere. But, sometimes, nowhere is just the place to be!
BOOK NOW!
More info:
Luna Salada Hotel
reservas@lunasaladahotel.com.bo
Telf.: (591-2) 2713565 Int. 601
Cel.: (591) 71212007
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
quite interesting
wow, what an amazing place!
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Thanks for your comprehensive post on the Luna Salada Hotel! We just booked our 2-night stay in April and are looking forward to this one-of-a-kind experience! Like you, my family and I are planning to do a one-day tour of the salt flats. Out of curiosity, did your tour company pick you up from the hotel or did you have to make your own way to Uyuni for the morning tour departure? If it was the latter, are taxis easy to call from the hotel?
Hi Tim!
We were picked up at the hotel itself in the same 4×4 vehicle we did the tour with! You don’t need to travel to Uyuni from the hotel… the hotel is IN Uyuni, in the very salt flats! Enjoy! ;)
That totally makes sense. We read that that the hotel is located 27 km from downtown Uyuni, but it makes sense that the tour companies could just stop by the hotel on the way to salt flats. Did you book your tour at the hotel or would you recommend making the trek to downtown Uyuni to book in-person at a tour office?
They picked us up at the hotel. Most tours will do that so you needn’t worry.
We are coming from La Paz. Going to Uyuni is via bus and arrival is at 7AM. How did you go to the hotel? Do you recommend staying for two nights or an overnight stay will do? What else can we do there aside from visiting the salt flats? Thanks in advance! :)