Elqui Domos
Elqui Valley, Chile
In a remote valley between Santiago and Atacama, a celestial escape where you can touch the stars from your domed or stilted refuge
This is a fun and quirky concept hotel: 7 'geodesic' (spherical)
domes with removable roofs plus 4 stilted wooden houses
with glass ceilings, all set in the stunning Elqui Valley, famed
for clear skies that attract astronomers from all over the world.
Conceived in 2003 by local businessman and astronomer Esteban
Zarate, who spotted a star-shaped gap in the market, Elqui Domos is
a true retreat from the world. Its small size confers a feeling of
exclusivity and intimacy, for a very reasonable price tag.
Setting foot in the main reception/restaurant dome, starry magic
starts to rub off on you with the welcome message: 'may the stars
be with you, shining for your eyes along their celestial dance'. A
poolside astronomical tour will help novices to appreciate the
wonder of the skies. While the stars are sleeping get out and
explore the valley on foot, bike or horseback, and admire the
contrast of the dusty brown mountains - which glow pink at sunset -
and the verdant farmland at their feet. Fittingly for an astronomic
hotel, the
food
is pretty stellar, too.
Reviewed by Emma Whiteacre
Last updated 26 January 2012
Highs
- Spectacular views all around you and a total absence of light pollution
- Sitting on your veranda with a glass of pisco (the potent local liquor), watching the mountains change colour as the sun sets or checking out the constellations through your telescope
- Realising that you can't hear a single sound
- Falling asleep gazing at the stars through the open roof of your dome or the vast glass panels of your house
- Cooling down in the outdoor pool
Lows
- It's seriously off the beaten track, midway between Santiago and Atacama, and 3km from the nearest village
- The interior furnishings are functional, with clear signs of wear and tear
- There are generally only 2 members of staff on site, and no room service
- Domes are close to one another and not sound-proofed
- There's no bar - aside from the limited selection in your dome's fridge
Designed specifically for stargazing from bed, in one of the world's few astronomy-themed hotels...
Conde Nast TravelerElqui Domos: Read more press reviews
