Palafito Azul Apart Hotel — Hotel in Castro

We loved Palafito Azul! It was the most unique place we stayed on our trip to Chile and Peru in December 2015. It’s equivalent to an Airbnb. Don’t expect a typical hotel experience and that’s a good thing. We found obtaining the keys from neighbor Irma a charming way to begin our stay. She was so sweet and available upon arrival. The apartment was very clean and aesthetically pleasing. I loved the incorporation of local wool as decoration. The photos on TA accurately represent the property.||||It was a delight to arrive with the tide out. We explored life on the mud flats, which included a stray dog family with many cute pups. As evening rolled in so did the tide. In the morning we woke up and found our apartment now suspended over water. The deck is very spacious and nice place to sit to watch the tide roll in. It would have been nice, however, to have a few more pieces of furniture since we were a family of four but only two outdoor chairs were available. I wish I would have had time to use the property's kayak. That would have been really fun.||||The beds were comfortable; the shower hot with good pressure and the apartment quiet – only the typical sounds of footsteps when somebody is occupying a unit above. It has a well-equipped kitchen but we didn’t use it in our single night stay. There may have been barking dogs at night, since there are barking stray dogs all over Chile and Peru, but I didn’t notice since I always sleep with earplugs while traveling. ||||I had read reports of the new, very large extension of the palafito to the north but it didn’t bother me. In fact, we visited and got a tour of the beautiful hostel that occupies it. The staff was very welcoming. (see photos)||||All within a few doors to either side of the palafito are some terrific cafes and boutiques. One, Hotel Palafito 1326, has a terrific roof deck (be sure to peek over the side to observe the unique bow-shaped deck of the neighbors to the south). We had a great breakfast at Café del Puente. This café, along with the nearby boutique, Arkenario Orfebrería, sell wonderful, local handmade arts and crafts. There is even a small mercado to the south.||||I expected check out to be a bit of an ordeal since I envisioned having to track down Irma but was surprised to find an employee sitting at the desk on the second floor hallway in the morning. This made check out a breeze. Even still, we were lucky to get a warm farewell from Irma when leaving. It’s reassuring to know that she has a watchful eye on the place.||||Be patient with the speed of reply from management and appreciate the slower pace that South America enjoys. My review is a bit long since I had some reservations about staying here at first, not knowing what to expect, but want to put others' minds at ease. Trust that everything will come together in time for your stay. But do stay! It’s well worth it. ||||I highly recommend this unique experience and just wish we could have...

If you have a reservation at this hotel, cancel it!||If you have already paid, demand a refund!||If you are considering this hotel as an option for your stay in Castro, look for another place to stay!||||I am a frequent traveler for professional and personal reasons. I spend three-quarters of my year away from home. And I can say that in this hotel I had the worst experience of my life as a guest! And all because, after arriving at midnight the day before, I was 10 minutes past the checkout time. Literally, the woman in charge of cleaning the hotel - and one of her sons, who must be a minor and I don't know if he can legally be working in this place - pushed me out of the hotel.||||I hope this message is read by the owners and managers of the hotel: that woman is NOT in a position to attend to anyone; She does NOT have the capacity OR the willingness to attend to people and work in a space of hospitality. These people CANNOT be working...

There are few more peaceful environments to spend a few days on the water's edge.||||The apartment is simply decorated, but with modern facilities. I loved the fully equipped kitchen, the modern bathroom, the roomy lounge/kitchen-diner and of course, the wonderful views.||Unfortunately, the house next door was being extended (out to the sea) during our stay, so the view will be more restricted once it's finished.||||There is soap and shampoo thoughtfully provided, in environment-friendly dispensers in the shower. As is the washing up liquid by the kitchen sink.||||My only issue is with the heating. The wood fire was hard to light - even a local lady had to resort to burning plastic bags to get it going. There is also a portable gas fire in the room, though it does get through the gas quickly meaning the tank needed to be replaced.||||All in all a lovely and relaxing...