So your meal tastes bland and there’s no salt on a table? No worries! Just run your finger along the table, floor or walls and sprinkle generously onto your meal – Voila! Flavour galore!
Introducing LUNA SALADA HOTEL DE SAL. One of my favourite hotel experiences to date in one of my favourite countries in the world… beautiful Bolivia! And once again I am left dumbfounded, eye rubbing and skin pinching just to make sure I’m not dreaming and haven’t fallen down Alice’s rabbit hole. You have to see it to believe it!
I had an incredible few nights at the salty palace. The hotel is beautifully decorated with hand made salt ornaments and rich textiles typical to this part of Bolivia. And as much as I love a novel experience, Luna Salada is no gimmick. Yes, its rooms are built entirely of salt, but it offers all the comforts of a luxury 5 star hotel; cloud-like beds with thermal sheets (I slept like a baby!), heating in every room, supremely attentive service, big buffet-style breakfast banquets and the most fire places I have ever seen under one roof! I loved ending each day cozied up to the fire, editing photos from my day of exploring and staring dreamily out at the stunning panoramic views of the Uyuni Salt Flats. A truly unforgettable experience.
What I’m wearing…
A wee tale about this dress: Before I arrived at Luna Salada Hotel, I had been travelling for about 3 months in warm and humid central America. I knew I would soon find myself in the colder climates of the south, so I went on the hunt for some jeans. Travelling for lengthy periods can be expensive so I was in the market for some very affordable and durable denim to keep me warm.
At that time, I happened to be in the big and bustling city of Medellin in Colombia, so I decided to pop into trusty Forever 21. I found everything I needed with such ease… jeans, beanies, scarves and a jumper all for under $100. Perfect! But then this gorgeous dress was brought to my attention. Oh no! I can’t afford to have a budget blow out. I willed myself NOT to try it on, but before I knew it, I was in the dressing room throwing it over my head. I looked in the mirror and it was love! I dreaded the price tag. I didn’t dare look. I bargained with myself. “But I need this dress!” (I really didn’t). I braved my eyes and had a peak at the price tag. To my absolute pleasure and surprise it was twenty eight dollars! $28! Oh my! So off I strutted to the counter to make my purchase guilt free and I haven’t regretted buying it since!
Want to learn more about this seductively salty hotel and all the amazing tours it offers for the famous Bolivian salt flat? Check out their website HERE!
Location | Luna Salada Hotel De Sal, Uyuni, Bolivia
Photography | Gemma Pranita & Matthew Rooney
Oh my goodness! I love this blogpost and the hotel is stunning!
Thank you lovely! And I adored your post on your trip to Bondi Markets. So so cute. And like you, I am a sucker for soy candles! x
There are 5 star flashpacker resorts up there?! I had no idea and now bitterly regret the freezing cold showers I endured in our backpacker salt hotel and lack of electricity! It made drinking games by candle light and a 9pm bedtime socially acceptable though so not a total loss.
Drinking games by candle light sounds pretty damn amazing!
I also stayed in one of the back packer style salt motels later in the trip. You had to pay $20 to get a warm shower. Haha. But it had lots of character and we played card games into the freezing cold night by candle light.
I’m sure you share my opinion that the salt flats are such a magnificent experience! x
Wow ! Stunning hotel. Awesome blogpost by the way I really love the pictures !
Thank you so much! Isn’t is stunning? I had such a blast exploring this wonderful place! x
Lovely place Ms Gemma <3
Hey Gemma! Im wondering how long you recommend staying in Bolivia? How long in the salt flats? And did you do any tours or just cruise around yourself?
Hi Corrie,
I spent 2 weeks in Bolivia. I started in La Paz to explore the town and do the “death road” tour (very scary but exhilarating!).
Then I went to the Amazon Pampas and did an incredible 3 day tour. I have never seen so many crocodiles and pink dolphins in my life. It was magical. After that I headed to the Salt Flats and did a 3 day tour which ended up at the Chilean border! It was tryule incredible and a definite highlight of the whole trip. Mind blowing scenery. I can’t recommend it enough!
x
That’s awesome thanks so much Gemma I love getting first hand advice 🙂 I’ve also been getting some good tips from Athena she’s helped me heaps!
Miss your face at work everyday but you look like your having an absolute blast!
Corrie x
One more question Gemma? How much spanish did you know going over to these countries? Should I take some classes?
I knew very little! I actually started on a great app called DUO LINGO. I highly recommend it, it’s great for beginners and sets you up with good basic knowledge of the language.
You’ll find that every country you travel to in central/south America there are so many Spanish schools! Depending on how much time you’re travelling you could take some time to do some intensive classes. I looked in to doing classes in Nicaragua for $7 an hour! But I ran out of time and had to move on to Costa Rica. I crammed 12 countries into 5 and a half months so I was quite time poor. But you should definitely consider it!
thats great! thanks so much Gemma i really appreciate this help 🙂 im leaving neighbours in a couple of weeks for good so ill have some extra time up my sleeve to try and learn some soo excited thanks heaps xo
No worries Corrie. Congrats on finishing work! Huzzah! I miss that place.
So excited for you to travel. It really is the most soul enriching thing you can do!
x