Hostal Casa Norte — Hotel in Iquique

We should have known better than to stay here having read prior reviews about overcharging at check out -- that's what happened to us too. We had booked one double room at CLP ~26,000 per night for two nights on booking.com. On arrival the posted room price was CLP 35,000. We clarified at check in that they would honor the online price. The room was average, bathroom tiny and only cold water came out of the shower -- unacceptable given the price (and it was low season). Upon check out they tried to charge us extra for an early check in even though there was no mention of an additional cost at check in. We requested to speak to the owner. He then changed his tune and said the extra charge was tax. As foreign tourists, we knew we were not subject to the local tax that Chileans must pay for accommodation -- this was clearly outlined on the booking.com website. We showed him the website after which he altered his tune again, stating if we paid in Chilean pesos we must pay the tax but not if we paid in US dollars -- a 'practice' that we never encountered elsewhere in Chile. In the end we paid the price indicated on our online booking in Chilean pesos. The last straw was when they cancelled our airport shuttle booking without informing us, leaving us no choice at 6:00 am but to take their more expensive private taxi. Greed clearly takes precedence over good...

This is more like a B&B, we couldn't find accommodation this was a last minute choice, because the other place had close down. over a weekend accommodation was scarce so we settled on this place. ||||More expensive that we would have normally paid or liked but good rooms, clean and large.. we couldn't use the kitchen but we could bring food and use their dining room our outdoor area. good location to the beach and local amenities. cannot fault it and recommend it as a B&B but not as hostel because...

The hotel is in a great location between the beach and the end of the walking street. The room was not bad, although there was no fan or aircon. Breakfast in the morning was basic! |When in checked out I was told that if I wanted to pay with a credit card I had to pay the 19% tax, which after 3 Weeks in Chile was news to me! I ended up paying with USD cash as it was the only way they said I could...