Easter Island Eco Lodge Hotel

I liked the woodland setting, with decks leading to the rooms, and the simple breakfast was good. There was plenty of tea and coffee, bread, cakes, butter and jam, ham, cheese, cereal, fruit salad and fresh fruit, though somehow no eggs despite all the chickens roaming around. They wandered into the breakfast area too, and sometimes one would fly onto our table. They make a racket early every morning, so that could be tough if you sleep late. Our double room was basic but had air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a fridge and an en-suite bathroom. Towels and toiletries were supplied. There were no tea or coffee supplies in the room. A kettle was at reception, but there were no cups. There isn’t really a proper reception desk, and the young person sitting there couldn’t speak English. It’s a three-star eco-friendly hotel, so don’t expect more than that.

We checked out the same day. Our tour operator had booked us into a room that was among the worst I’ve nearly stayed in. Even after running the hot water for more than ten minutes, it stayed cold, and the sliding glass door wouldn’t lock. The safe key was with the MAID, and WiFi only worked in the office. With our guide’s help, we found a place in the center of town for about the same price. Its rooms were roughly twice as large, newly remodeled, with air conditioning, hot water in 30 seconds, and WiFi that worked in the rooms. What a dump. I don’t know how this place can exist.

The location was handy for Main Street and for walking down to the harbor. My bedroom was very clean, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom had a sink and shower. Breakfast was good, with plenty to choose from. I loved staying at Eco lodge.

Rapa Nui is definitely worth visiting, and the local people explain that bedrooms are for sleeping because life happens outside. But this place takes simplicity to an extreme. The room looked tired, had no modern conveniences, and there’s no restaurant beyond a very limited breakfast. Its eco-hotel claims seem mostly tied to limited facilities, though they do say they respect lizards and cockroaches. There was no maintenance staff when the toilet blocked, so we were handed a plunger to deal with it ourselves. Laundry is expensive, and you’re not allowed to wash or dry clothes in or outside your room. The only TV is in the shared lounge by the breakfast room.