Carola Lodge

The hotel was quiet and peaceful, and there’s a lovely view of the sand dunes right in the middle of it, beside the pool. Breakfast was free and the staff were nice. It would be better if each room had WiFi. We had to go to the lobby for internet, and it only worked on phones, not computers.

DO NOT RECOMMEND! They only take cash, no card. The hotel was really dirty and noisy all night, with lots of dust and reconstruction going on. They started work early in the morning and made a lot of noise. Breakfast was very small.

The restaurant and bar were a highlight for us, especially the delicious quesadillas, and the staff were really friendly and helpful with arranging tours. The price was reasonable for Huacachina, and we had a good stay overall. The pool is lovely for cooling off, though it looked a little murky when we arrived and the sunbeds were somewhat dirty. Breakfast was very basic and the coffee had things floating in it, which I personally didn't enjoy. Our room got incredibly hot, and the fan barely helped. More fans or air conditioning would make a big difference. Renovations were also underway while we were there, so the daytime noise spoiled the relaxing poolside atmosphere we'd hoped for. I expect the work will finish soon, but check before booking if you'll be spending days at the hotel.

The location and price are the main draws here, and the staff were laid-back. We could head up the sand dunes whenever we wanted. Just don't come expecting luxury: there was no shampoo or hairdryer in the room, though the front desk can lend you a hairdryer.