Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Based on our heavy hotel research leading up to our trip, you will not find as nice a hotel for as nice a price.
We reached out to all the luxury all-inclusive resorts: Tierra Hotels, Awasi, Alto Atacama to collect and compare their rates, and what was included in their all-inclusive packages. These hotels offer no option to be non-inclusive, meaning all of your tours, food, etc. are included in the price of the stay. In all three cases, it would have cost $5k per person for a 5 night stay. This was well beyond what we were willing to pay.
Hotel Cumbres was our savior. They offer the design and service you’d expect at a 5-star hotel, at a much lower rate. Also, they give you the option of not including tours in your package rate. You can book tours upon arrival. The tour guides staffed at Hotel Cumbres spoke fantastic English and we’re super friendly. We did two tours through the hotel, then a few more through a private tour guide we met and befriended. For tips on which tours are the best and how to book them, read Adventure in the Atacama Desert.
Spa and Pool
We took a quick walk through the spa area and it looked quaint, a bit outdated, but very clean and with Chilean decor throughout. Many of the guests did enjoy the spa, and they looked quite relaxed, it just wasn’t on our to-do list. There are several pools, each one with comfortable lounge chairs lining the outside. Have a local beer and take a nap by the pool after your morning activities, and you’ll be refreshed for the afternoon.
The Rooms
The rooms are very spacious with a huge bed and lots of pillows, enough to get lost in. Each room has a private back patio that overlooks an area filled with various desert shrubs, trees, and cacti. The bathrooms have heated towel racks and both an outdoor and indoor shower. We used the outdoor shower for the most part, it was super refreshing under the beating sun. As Hotel Cumbres is located a bit off the downtown strip – it’s incredible peaceful and quiet. The desert is a very, very quiet place. We experienced quiet like we had never, ever experienced it before during our stay at Hotel Cumbres and on some of the private tours we took.
To summarize, we loved the rooms, and looked forward to coming back to a well air-conditioned space after a long day in the sun.
On-site Dining at Kunza Restaurant
Breakfast comes with the package, and it was the finest we’d had in Chile – with whipped avocado, fresh bread, and a quality selection of fruits and nuts. Eggs can be made-to-order. For dinner, we wouldn’t recommend Kunza. The quality of the food is mediocre and the menu is difficult to understand, even in English. We did enjoy their french fries by the pool, but that’s also something that’s hard to fuck up.
Hotel Cumbres will make your stay in the Atacama a desert breeze.
Location and Safety
Hotel Cumbres is a 10 minute drive outside of the main San Pedro de Atacama road with all the restaurants. It’s a winding, bumpy, and dusty road that you can walk or drive down. The hotel offers commuter shuttles that run on a tight schedule throughout the day and early evening. If you rent a bike from the hotel to explore the area, be prepared for a sore bum or wear padded shorts. We felt very safe while at the hotel and walking to and from downtown San Pedro de Atacama.