Iorana Hotel

We had a great view from our balcony, and check-in was smooth. The woman at reception spoke English very well. Breakfast was enough, with plenty for everyone. We didn't have hot water on the first night, though I can't really complain since locals often don't have regular hot water when tourists use too much. The hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the main street, so it's not especially convenient. On the other hand, there was lots of room to roam around. The walk into town along the cliff edge gave us great coastline photos.

They go back into the room after cleaning while you're out. It felt like they had no respect for guests.

The ocean view was incredible, with the hotel set outside Hanga Roa next to a park. It's about a half-hour walk to the town center, though taxis are easy to find, and I thought the location was very good. The hotel is fairly large, with many rooms facing west over the Pacific, so the sunsets must be amazing when it's clear. Mine had a small balcony, tiled floors, a double bed, a shower and toilet, a refrigerator, a small safe and a TV. I saw the TV as a bit of a drawback because this is Rapa Nui. There was no Wi-Fi in the rooms, which I considered a bonus. Breakfast was served in a large dining and restaurant room, where you could also buy lunch and dinner. The restaurant's ocean view was breathtaking. My breakfasts were simple continental style but tasty, with fresh mango juice and delicious local bananas. There's a pool next to the restaurant, the only safe place to swim on site. There's also a small semi-natural pool by the rocky shore, but swimming there may be dangerous because huge waves can reach it. The reception is in a separate building with a front desk, souvenir shop and comfortable lobby seating. There were lots of local artworks and books. I had a very pleasant stay at hotel Iorana. The owner and manager was very helpful, and I'm grateful for her help with several things beyond hotel life. When I visited Rapa Nui, tourist flights had just resumed and there were very few visitors. The hotels and restaurants, including hotel Iorana, were only just reopening. There were only a few other guests while I was there, which suited me, though I can imagine it gets busy in high season. The one thing I wish had been better was the room floor cleaning, although that seems pretty common in the South American countries I've visited.

It's best to hire a car here, which makes getting around easier. The hotel is in a stunning spot, about a 15-minute walk from town, with a fantastic pool looking out over the ocean. Our room was cosy and clean and had a sea view. The staff were very friendly, especially Daniela and Lisa the chef, and the food was great. I'd highly recommend staying here and would come back.