Luxury Hotel on Rapa Nui

I just came across the website for the new luxury hotel on Easter Island, called the 'En Rapa Nui'

The place looks very cool, and from what I can tell, fits in well with the island landscape. It is located a few kilometers from the main town.

It is very pricey - at least $1000 a night, with a minimum 3 night stay. When I first saw the rate chart I wondered 'What currency is this in' before realizing it was U.S. dollars.

The website has a 3 minute video of the hotel - no people or moai are shown. Under the 'Explorations' heading is a PDF file that has a really good shaded contour map of the island.

No mention on whether the bar menu offers a mai-tai, or the price they would charge for the drink, or whether you get to keep the mug.

http://www.explora.com/rapa-nui_theplace.php

Vern

If you are the only game in town...
I thought it looks like the Student Union at Cal Poly SLO.

Very stylish, but considering the price, better stopping for a drink.
Besides, Easter Island hotels do not need to rival the "W."

Wow! Well, judging by the website, this is quite an impressive place! I would love to stay there, though not at a minimum cost of 3000$ per stay. Speaking of which, guys, I would be kind of interested: what was your most expensive holiday, and where?? Have you ever stayed in a five-star really noble hotel like this one? Is it actually worth its money or are luxury hotels overrated? Please go on and share your experiences, I would love to know!

I have a LOT to say about this place in my long-delayed book, Big Stone Head.

The impact of this hotel on the environment of Easter Island, and on the local economy is disastrous.

Many factions tried to block it's creation for years before it was built.

Finally, a Rapa Nui man sold out some of his ancestral homelands, which were given back to him by the Chilean government (who govern the island), allowing this monstrosity to exist.

I just returned from a week on Easter Island and managed not to see this place. I don't really get the desire for something that outrageously expensive & 'luxurious' at that kind of destination; it just doesn't go. I didn't get info from them directly, obviously, but from what I heard it also sounds like a very restrictive place to stay. I was told the guests there aren't allowed to go off on their own, that they can only take tours through Explora, aren't even allowed to go into town by themselves, etc. Certainly not the kind of experience I'm after.

When I was on the island in January, I did see the lodge from the road. It was much more understated than I thought it would be & blends with the terrain more than I had expected (frankly, I expected the worst). It is still the only thing in an area that is completely uninhabited & natural. It would have been much better to leave that part of the island unspoiled. I dread the day that another resort could pop-up under similar circumstances.

Part of the Rapa Nui experience is staying in a Residenciale, getting to know the locals - if you're on some luxury resort, you could pretty much be anywhere.

We also heard from a tour guide that Explora doesn't pay their tour guides all that well & that they have to work really long hours (probably because they are escorting all of their patrons into town?) Apparently some of the tips can be good, but our tour guide didn't think it would be worth the long hours & hassle of working for Explora.

Do they offer a TC discount?

THEy don't, but I do:

Stay in a residenciale.

There, I just saved you $5000.

You're welcome.