Wondering if sleeping on salt blocks is really comfortable or just an icy tourist trap? 🥶 After our time in Bolivia, we give you our full hotel palacio de sal review to help you sort it out. Expect to be surprised by what we discovered, between crazy architecture and a few downsides worth keeping in mind before you go! 🧂
- Palacio de Sal: reviews at a glance
- Out-of-the-ordinary architecture: sleeping in a salt palace
- Highlights that really make you happy
- Downsides: what might disappoint you?
- Practical and financial advice before you book
Palacio de Sal: reviews at a glance
Our verdict and travellers’ notes
Let’s be honest: sleeping here is a unique, almost unreal experience. It’s a big “yes” for the unusual, even if not everything is perfect. With an overall score of 9.0/10, the majority of travelers validate the adventure. However, when analyzing each hotel palacio de sal review, the feedback remains nuanced. While the all-salt architecture and heated spa are unanimously praised, the costly dinner and sometimes light insulation are cause for grumbling.
Summary table of opinions
We’ve compiled the recurring points to save you hours of scrolling. Here’s what you need to know before booking to see if it matches your expectations.
| Criteria | Average score | What people love | What people often dislike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture & Ambiance | 9.8/10 | The originality of salt everywhere | Salt dust on luggage |
| Comfort & Spa | 9.0/10 | Heated pool (top!) | Standard rooms a little small |
| Restoration | 7.0/10 | Full breakfast included | Expensive ($29) and average buffet dinner |
| Location | 9.5/10 | Breathtaking view of the Salar | Total isolation (nothing around) |
What stands out is the contrast between the magical setting and the food. Paying $29 for a buffet deemed “average” stings a little, especially when you’re isolated in the desert with no alternative.
Ready to go? Our useful links
If you’re planning a trip to Bolivia, we’ve spared you the trouble. To find the best rate at the Palacio, always use this comparator. Don’t forget to secure your airport transfer for a stress-free arrival. Finally, don’t miss out on any of the Salar’s nuggets by booking your activities early.
Out-of-the-ordinary architecture: sleeping in a salt palace
After this quick overview, let’s get to the heart of the matter. What makes the Palacio de Sal so special is its construction. We tell you all about this bewildering experience 🤯.
From the walls to the furniture, everything is in salt
As soon as we enter, the shock is total. The floor crunches under our footsteps and the walls are made of huge blocks of salt. It’s just surreal, you really feel like you’ve landed on another planet 🪐.
And it’s not just a photo facade. The furniture, too, is cut entirely from salt. Take our word for it, it’s solid.
We were stunned to see that everything is made of this mineral:
- Walls and partitions
- Bed structure
- Bedside tables and desks
- Certain sculptures and decorative elements
One strict rule made us laugh: no licking the walls, no matter how tempting!
The unique atmosphere at the gateway to the Salar d’Uyuni
The atmosphere here is indescribable. There’s that special salty smell and soft light filtering through the bricks. You feel cut off from the world, as if in a timeless bubble away from it all 🤫.
The main advantage is its immediate proximity to the Salar d’Uyuni. It’s the ideal spot to catch the sunrise or sunset without wasting a minute of your journey.
In fact, sleeping here remains the best option for enjoying the desert 100%. It’s the perfect complement to what we describe in Le Salar d’Uyuni en Bolivie: guide complet pour une visite inoubliable. For us, it weighs heavily in our hotel palacio de sal overall opinion.
Highlights that really make you happy
But beyond the originality of the walls, is it a good place to stay? Yes, in many respects, the hotel scores well. Here’s what we particularly appreciated.
The spa and indoor pool: a real plus after a day of sightseeing
To find a heated indoor pool in the middle of nowhere is an unheard-of luxury. After a day of being shaken around in 4x4s on the Salar’s tracks, taking a dip felt really good.
We also tried out the spa and salt treatments, so it was a perfect opportunity! It makes perfect sense. Relaxing like this at an altitude of over 3600 metres, between sauna and hammam, really helps you recover.
A hearty and popular breakfast
If you’re looking for hotel palacio de sal reviews, the buffet breakfast always comes up trumps. It’s a hearty meal that sets the tone for the day.
You’ll find everything: fresh fruit, eggs on demand, pastries and local specialties. Variety and quality are the order of the day, offsetting the sometimes mixed reviews for dinner.
Careful staff
We were also impressed by the kindness of the staff. You can feel that the staff are doing their utmost to make your stay a pleasant one, and you can feel it immediately in the atmosphere.
Whether it’s organizing an excursion or providing a warm welcome, they’ve got it covered. In such a remote location, competent, helpful staff make all the difference. We never regretted our choice, thanks to them. 🇧🇴
Downsides: what might disappoint you?
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. For your stay to be a success, you need to know the hotel’s weak points, because they are real.
Cold rooms and uneven comfort
Let’s face it, it can get chilly here. Despite heating and salt insulation, the altitude makes for chilly nights. Cold in the rooms is a fact of life to be anticipated.
Another little hitch is that hot water can be hard to come by. It sometimes takes a long time to arrive, which is not ideal after a long day exploring the Salar.
Fortunately, the hotel provides extra blankets to compensate. That said, we strongly advise you to bring warm clothes to sleep in, just to make sure.
Evening catering: the real weak point?
This is often where the problem lies. If breakfast is good, dinner is the main sticking point. Value for money is often deemed disappointing, especially when compared to the rest of the experience.
The dishes seemed rather average to us, lacking in inventiveness for their standing. And for Bolivia, the bill climbs quickly, far too quickly for what’s on the plate.
The hotel’s isolation makes us captive: no other option for dining in the vicinity. Think of this meal as a convenience rather than a gastronomic experience. To find something better, you’ll have to go back to town, so it’s time to take a look at What to do in Uyuni? Must-sees in and around the salar.
Practical and financial advice before you book
Payment, booking and exchange rates: tips you need to know
We need to address a point of contention that often arises in every hotel palacio de sal recent review. Several travelers have had the unpleasant surprise of being charged an unfavorable exchange rate at checkout, especially after booking online.
To avoid seeing the bill rise unnecessarily, check the small print before clicking. The best thing to do is to ask for confirmation so you can pay directly in bolivianos at the official rate.
It’s time to be smart with your money. Take a look at our article: Which bank card is free in Bolivia? The complete guide. We strongly advise you to use a card with no exchange fees to limit the damage, and always keep some cash in your pocket, just in case.
Location: an isolated advantage
Location is the Salar’s strong point, but it comes at a logistical price. The lodge is about 25 km from the town of Uyuni. It’s beautiful, but you soon feel alone in the world.
That means there’s nothing around. No little boutique to tide you over, no restaurants to vary your evening pleasures. Once you’ve arrived, you’re captive to the hotel for all your needs.
- Ideal if you’re looking for a change of scenery and privileged access to the Salar.
- Less suitable if: you like to go out in the evening, have a choice of meals or are on a tight budget.
In short, this choice really depends on the type of adventurer you are.
In short, sleeping at the Palacio de Sal is an experience we won’t soon forget ! 🧂 Even if dinner left us hungry and we need to cover up well at night, the magic of the place makes up for it all. It’s a must for experiencing the Salar d’Uyuni to the full. 🇧🇴✨
