Hotel Nichkito — Hotel in Uyuni

We have mixed feelings about our stay.

The good: The place is really clean, the room has good space, shower is really good and warm, wifi is good, the whole place is quiet and located very close to the bus terminal (about 5min walking), and about 7-8min from the 'Centro'. There is a kitchen, towels/soap/shampoo/toilet paper included (which is challenging to find in Bolivia!). The place itself is really good!

The bad: Communication needs to be improved!! We contacted the hosts a few days before to ask if we could check in when we arrived, and the day before to confirm and they said yes. We took an overnight bus from La Paz (which probably 75% of there guests do) and we were there around 6:45, in front of the door, as we mentioned to them. They told us the day before, that there were no problem to check in early. When we arrived, we texted them, called them, rang the bell. No answer. We waited 20 min and tried again, no answer. After 1h, we were cold, exhausted (we didn't sleep much in the bus) and tired of waiting, so we went to a café. At 8:45am they finally saw my message and didn't even answered, I sent them another message to ask if we could arrive... at 9:30am we were finally inside the hostel, but the room wasn't ready as they have told us it would be. We don't mind waiting, and we understand the check-in/check-out procedures. However, they could have told us 'yes you can arrive, but the room won't be ready' before I stead of telling us we could check in..., so at least we know. It kind of started our sejour there on a bitter note. The last day, we were waiting again for our night bus, it was nice we could stay in the kitchen until our bus, however the owner came to tell me while I was cooking that I couldn't use the kitchen because the 'smell (of my spices) was disturbing the other guests'...while I was cooking everyday with the same spices, but now it's not ok anymore. I understand if they didn't want me to use the kitchen, I would have appreciated honestly instead of a lame excuse? In the end, my food wasn't cooked enough because I had to stop the fire.

Communication in general...

Three problems. The first two applied to my trip the third could apply to you.

I got diarrhea pretty much everyday I was in Bolivia that part was predictable. But the shower running out of water wasn't... I was thankful the sink still had running water, but trying to clean diarrhea while showering using the sink ISN'T IDEAL. I found a different hotel the same day because of that. The shower to begin with what a weird contraption that was hard to figure out with electrical wires. The shower was an explosive mess of water most of the time, but I was begging for it to just have water the last time...

The location was something I didn't think much about until going to a different hotel more centrally located to the businesses and travel places in Uyuni. You're going to be walking 5 to 7 blocks to do anything if you stay at this hotel and there's no taxis in the area where it's located, just a lot of stray dogs.

Finally the stairs. More stairs than an M.C. Escher picture and no elevator. This wasn't a problem for me even though I had heavy luggage. But I was just imagining my elderly mother trying to walk up the tall step stairs much less carry her bags up them. If you don't do good on steps this place wouldn't be great for you.

Pros: the breakfast was self serving it was pretty good, the...

We stayed for 2 night to rest before a salt flats tour

Summary of key point: Room and security - we had a private double bed room and was comfortable, room was lockable but no additional lockers are provided, the room was very spacious Bed - clean and comfortable. Wifi - very good wifi throughout the hostel. Power and lighting - in our room we had the main bedroom light, two bed side lights and power bed to each side of the bed,  perfect! Shower - we had a private ensuite which was good with hot water, it was clean, but the poor design kept flooding the bathroom. Cooking - very big and clean kitchen to use Common room - a small area on the first floor and dining area, Uyuni isn't really a town for social vibes in the hostels though. Atmosphere - very quiet not many backpackers around. Breakfast - available for 15b extra, we didn't try it Staff - easy check and polite Tours - plenty of tour companies in the town, standard is 3 day salt flats, I'd recommend red planet Location - good location easy to walk to. Cost - pricey compared to other options, but was very comfortable, cash only to pay so we had to find an ATM, which we did.

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