Bolivia's Salt Hotels: A Unique Accommodation Experience

Bolivia is home to Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, and it is here that you will find hotels constructed almost entirely out of salt. The first salt hotel, Palacio de Sal, was built in the 1990s and soon became a popular tourist destination. However, due to environmental concerns, the hotel was dismantled in 2002. A new salt hotel, also called Palacio de Sal, was constructed in 2007 on the eastern edge of the salt flats. Other salt hotels in Bolivia include Hotel De Sal Luna Salada and Casa de Sal, which is located in the town of Uyuni rather than on the salt flats themselves.

Palacio de Sal: The world's first luxury salt hotel

The Palacio de Sal, or "Palace of Salt", is a hotel located in Bolivia that is constructed entirely out of salt blocks. This unique hotel is situated on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometres or 4,000 square miles. The Salar de Uyuni is not only impressive in size but also in its altitude, standing at 3,656 meters or 12,000 feet above sea level. This vast expanse of salt flats has long been a notable tourist attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide.

The concept for the Palacio de Sal was conceived by Don Juan Quesada Valda, a pioneer in organised tourism in southern Bolivia. Valda envisioned a grand hotel made entirely of salt, and in the late 1990s, his dream became a reality. The hotel was built using over one million 35-cm or 14-inch salt blocks, with the salt sourced directly from the Salar de Uyuni. The salt blocks form not only the structure of the building but also the furniture, including beds, tables, chairs, and sculptures.

The Palacio de Sal offers a range of accommodation options, including standard rooms, VIP rooms, and larger suites. Each room features the hotel's signature igloo-style domed ceilings, creating a sense of architectural uniqueness. The rooms are named after the three planes of spiritual reality according to the Andean worldview: "Hanan Pacha", "Kay Pacha", and "Ukhu Pacha". The hotel also features stylish common areas, including a fully stocked bar, and a spa with a dry sauna, steam room, saltwater pools, and baths.

One of the unique challenges of the Palacio de Sal is waste management, as the hotel is located in a remote desert-like area. The sanitary system has been designed to comply with government regulations, addressing the issues that plagued the previous salt hotel that operated in the centre of the salt flat from 1993 to 2002. To prevent environmental pollution, the current Palacio de Sal is located at the eastern edge of the Salar de Uyuni, 25 kilometres away from the town of Uyuni.

The Palacio de Sal is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of its creators, offering a luxurious and practical accommodation option in a challenging yet breathtaking environment. With its salt-constructed grandeur and one-of-a-kind experience, it has rightfully earned its place among the unique and unusual hotels of the world.

The hotel's location and attractions

The Hotels' Location and Attractions

The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometres (4,000 square miles) in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes. It is a major tourist attraction, and visitors have historically had to travel long distances to see it, requiring a place to stay before returning to their cities. However, construction materials are scarce in the area, which is why the Palacio de Sal (or "Palace of Salt" in English) was built from salt blocks in the 1990s. The hotel is located 350 kilometres (220 miles) south of La Paz, Bolivia's capital and the highest capital city in the world.

The first iteration of the hotel was built in the middle of the salt flat between 1993 and 1998 and had to be dismantled in 2002 due to environmental concerns. The current hotel, which opened in 2007, is located at the eastern edge of the salt flat, 25 kilometres away from the town of Uyuni. It was constructed using about 1 million 35-centimetre (14-inch) salt blocks, which form the walls, floor, ceiling, and furniture. The hotel features a spa with a dry sauna, a saltwater pool, whirlpool baths, and a steam room.

The hotel has standard rooms, VIP rooms, and larger suites, all featuring the hotel's signature igloo-style domed ceilings. Each room has hot water, heating, a private bathroom, a telephone, and a small sitting area. The suites have a large living area and a sleeping area with a soaking tub. The hotel also has a restaurant, El Meson, which serves a dish called salt chicken, as well as a fully stocked bar, a spiral staircase, and a lobby with salt floors, walls, and furniture. There is also a recreation area with a fireplace and a pool table on four salt pillars.

The salt flats surrounding the hotel are a popular attraction, known for their mesmerizing reflections during the rainy season and their endless horizon, which creates fun perspective photos. The town of Uyuni also has attractions such as a train graveyard and an open-air market on Avenida Potosi on Thursdays.

The hotel's design and construction

The Hotels' Design and Construction

The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, covering over 10,000 square kilometres and attracting many tourists. The need for a hotel was clear, but construction materials are scarce in this area. The solution? Build a hotel made of salt, which is in ready supply.

The first salt hotel in Bolivia was built in the 1990s and had 12 double rooms, a common bathroom, and no shower. Unfortunately, it had to be dismantled in 2002 due to environmental concerns. However, the idea of a salt hotel had proven popular, and so in 2007, a new hotel was built under the name Palacio de Sal (or "Palace of Salt" in English).

The Palacio de Sal was the brainchild of creator Juan Quesada Valda, who envisioned it as the grandest salt hotel on Earth. The hotel is constructed from about 1 million 35-cm or 14-inch salt blocks, which are used for the walls, floor, ceiling, and even the furniture, including beds, tables, chairs, and sculptures. The hotel covers 48,500 square feet and has 30 rooms, including standard rooms and suites. The rooms feature modern amenities such as private bathrooms, hot and cold water, telephones, and heating, with some suites offering large living areas and soaking tubs.

The hotel also boasts a variety of common areas, including a fully stocked bar, a restaurant, an entertainment room, a lounge, a gift shop, and a wellness area with a spa and steam room. There is even a nine-hole golf course, although the hard salty surface may take some getting used to.

One of the most striking features of the hotel is the use of salt in the design and construction. The salt blocks give the hotel a unique, igloo-like appearance, with domed ceilings and salt sculptures. The salt also has practical benefits, as it is believed to have healing properties that can improve breathing, mood, and sleep.

Due to the nature of their construction, the salt hotels in Bolivia need to be rebuilt every 10 to 15 years, as rain causes them to disintegrate over time. However, this has not deterred guests from seeking out these unique accommodations, which offer a truly memorable experience.

The hotel's rooms and amenities

The Hotel Rooms and Amenities

The Palacio de Sal (or "Palace of Salt" in English) is a hotel located at the edge of Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, in Bolivia. The hotel is built entirely out of salt blocks, with about 1 million 35 cm or 14-inch salt blocks used for the walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture. The hotel offers a unique and luxurious experience for guests looking to explore the stunning natural landscape of the salt flats.

The Palacio de Sal has a range of room options, including standard rooms, VIP rooms, and larger suites. The standard rooms, or "Ukhu Standard" rooms, are cozy and affordable, boasting stunning salt dome ceilings and comfortable amenities. The VIP rooms, or "Kay To Heaven" rooms, offer a more luxurious experience with the option of a terrace to gaze up at the beautiful starry sky above the salt flats. The suites, or "Hanan Suites", feature a lounge and living area, with impressive dome-shaped salt block ceilings.

All the rooms in the hotel are surprisingly modern and well-equipped. The beds have built-in warmers, and there are plenty of blankets to keep guests warm during the chilly nights. Each room has a private bathroom, hot and cold water, a telephone, and a small sitting area. The suites also include a large living area and a sleeping area.

The hotel also offers a range of amenities and facilities for guests to enjoy. There is a fully stocked bar, a restaurant called El Meson that serves a dish called salt chicken, and a recreation area with a fireplace and a pool table. The hotel's spa includes a dry sauna, a steam room, a saltwater pool, and whirlpool baths. Guests can also enjoy the stunning views of the salt flats from the hotel's balconies, especially during sunset.

Another notable salt hotel in Bolivia is the Luna Salada Hotel, located at the edge of the Uyuni Salt Flats. This hotel also features rooms constructed entirely out of locally harvested salt, with Andean-inspired decor and comfortable amenities. The hotel offers standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and family suites, with vibrant Andean charm, art, and furniture. The on-site restaurant, Tunupa, serves delicious regional cuisine and offers panoramic views of the salt flats. The hotel's spa includes a steam room with panoramic views and massage services.

How to get to the hotel

To get to the Palacio de Sal (or "Palace of Salt"), you'll first need to make your way to La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia. You can fly directly to El Alto International Airport (LPB) from Miami with American Airlines, or travel via a Latin American hub like Bogota or Lima.

From La Paz, you have a few options to reach the salt flats. You can take a short internal flight to Uyuni Airport with Amaszonas Airlines, which has partnerships with Air Europa, Aerolineas Argentinas, Copa, and GOL. Alternatively, you can take a bus or train from La Paz to the salt flats, but be aware of scams and keep an eye on your belongings.

Once you've arrived at the airport, train station, or bus station, you'll need to take a cab to the salt flats. This will cost you about 250 BS ($35 USD) for the half-hour trip down a dusty, bumpy road. You may find it challenging to get a taxi, so consider pre-booking a private transfer through your hotel.

The Palacio de Sal is located 350 kilometres (220 miles) south of La Paz and 25 kilometres from the town of Uyuni. It is situated on the eastern edge of the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat.

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