There is always one hotel on a trip which doesn’t live up to expectation and this was the one for us. Having read the reports and seen pictures on the web we were expecting great things of this place which it didn’t deliver. People either love or hate the place.
It is an amazing location about 20-30min drive from Uyuni with views across the Salar de Uyuni. First impressions were favourable as the public areas had considerable style. There was a large open reception area with big shop off it.
Reception was efficient but impersonal. English was reasonable.
The rooms were off a long corridor. Each had its own sitting area outside. These were very stylishly furnished and each was different. Furniture was made from blocks of salt and there was granular salt sprinkled on the floor. Visually it looked exciting.
HOWEVER, the rooms themselves were small and cramped. There was little space to move around the bed. We would have liked more space in the bedroom and less in the outside sitting areas.Very few people seemed to be using these areas.
There were small tables on either side of the bed with table lamps. There was a small space for working. Apart from a salt shelf which would hold one suitcase there was no where else to put suitcases – or other belongings. The granular salt theme also extended into the bedrooms. This was the big no-no for us. The salt got into bed from our feet and we were emptying it of the suitcases for days afterwards.
The bathroom was the best bit of the room with large and good shower and plenty of towels – at least the salt theme ended here!
Ask for one of the ‘200’ rooms which are the far end of the corridor beyond the dining room. These have views across the Salar and the sunset can be watched from the comfort of the room. The ‘100’ rooms along the first bit of the corridor have sitting areas over looking the Salar. The rooms themselves look out over the rocks behind the hotel. Many don’t have a view and are dark. These are usually used by guides and drivers.
The dining room is large and stylish. Table and chairs are made of blocks of salt. Being picky again this means you can’t pull the chair up to the table. Don’t drop anything down your lap….
Meals and service were only so-so.
Overall we were not impressed by this place.It had so much potential. Having said that, it is the best place to stop in the area….
The Tayka website is here: tinyurl.com/6lbqfsr
Our pictures (and the next 5) begin here:
http://homepage.mac.com/wasleys/sth_amer_10_mw/05SalarUyuni/image-html/27IMGP3454.html
