Need to know
Rooms
Forty-two, including 10 suites.
Check–Out
Noon; earliest check-in is 3pm.
Rates
Double rooms from $1170.00.
More details
Rates include buffet breakfast. All-inclusive rates also cover round-trip airport transfers, lunch and à la carte dinners (wine and spirits included), transfers to San Pedro de Atacama, open-bar until 11.30pm and use of mountain bikes.
Also
The hotel's gardens were designed by expert botanist Verónica Poblete; you’ll find nearly every type of flora native to the Atacama Desert, including shade trees, fragrant plants and herbs. There’s also an organic garden, used by the restaurant.
At the hotel
Alfresco fire pit; spa with treatment room, steam room, hammam, sauna and hydrotherapy pool; llama corral; yoga and meditation sessions; free WiFi throughout; on-site parking; laundry service. In rooms: minibar, free bottled water, Damana bath products.
Our favourite rooms
We’re partial to the Tilo Suites, with their alfresco showers, sweeping views of the Salt Mountains and lagoon, and spacious sleeping area.
Poolside
The six outdoor pools are dotted around the lush garden. There’s also a Jacuzzi, a pool bar and a bonfire pit nearby for Saturday barbecues. Please note: the pools aren’t supervised by lifeguards.
Spa
Partially sunken Puri Spa is strategically nestled into the centre of Alto Atacama for shade from the hot desert sun. Inside, there’s a hydrotherapy pool, Watsu and mineral water baths, an indoor Jacuzzi, two treatment rooms, a hammam and a steam room. Choose from a well-honed menu of classic treatments, including deep-tissue and Swedish massages that use Weleda and organic Coesam products, or locally-inspired Altiplanic mud wraps and quinoa facials; crank up the romance level with an under-the-stars couple’s massage. After (or between) treatments, relax on the outdoor terrace with chilled water and fresh fruit. The spa is open daily from 9am to 11.30pm.
Packing tips
You’ll want to bring plenty of active wear so you can take full advantage of Alto’s excursions. Remember to throw in the swimming togs and sunblock, too.
Also
One Quitor room has been adapted for wheelchair-users and guests with other mobility issues.
Children
Very welcome; they’ll love the smattering of swimming pools (although parents will need to keep a close eye on little ones), runaround space and llama corral. There are on-loan bikes; excursions aren’t too tiring.
Eco‐friendly
Very. Designed with an eye to minimising energy waste and impact on the environment and maximising natural light, the hotel was built with recycled and eco-friendly materials. Green cleaning and bath products are used, low-flow taps help to conserve water and solar power heats the pools. Alto Atacama also has its own reverse osmosis water and compost plants, vegetable gardens and decorative gardens, where 90 per cent of what grows is native.
