Thursday, January 31, 2013

Easter Island/Santiago November 2012 - Kaimana Inn Rapa Nui

***This post is part 4 of a full trip report. The index can be found here***

Kaimana Inn came highly recommended on TripAdvisor, and is actually one of the more economical options on Easter Island, where everything is steep. There is a dearth of reasonably-priced mid-range hotels, and as such, the only two categories on the island seem to be either luxury resorts priced between $800-$1,000 per night, or rustic bed and breakfasts owned by local families. The low-end option, however, doesn't come cheap either. Expect to spend at least $100 per night minimum on accommodations that are more akin to hostels.

The owner, Marcelo, offers complimentary airport pickup and drop-off, which was very convenient. One of the best things about Kaimana Inn is its location. Just five minutes away from the airport, right in the center of Hanga Roa, it is a great base to explore the town and surrounding area. The little side street it is on also minimizes noise from the main road (not that there is a lot of noise on the main road anyway).

Main street in Hanga Roa

Side street to Kaimana Inn

The non-descript entrance through their car park leads to the main common area, which was a great place to relax, meet other travelers, and enjoy the daily complimentary breakfast. This was where I hung out the most while at the hotel (even more so than the room itself), since it was airy, bright, and comfortable. We were given a delicious welcome fruit drink when we arrived, and showed to our room right next to the common area.

Kaimana Inn entrance