El Peñon de Constantino — Hotel in Huila

This place has the best views of any accommodation I saw in the desert, has a great natural swimming pool set away from other common areas (lightly chlorinated) and, contrary to some other reviews, I found the staff to be very friendly and engaging. ||The food is pretty good although not radically different from elsewhere in the desert (with a couple of notable exceptions like the goat place back towards the observatory).||I stayed in one of the round, rammed earth / bamboo huts, which was private but cramped, with room for the bed alone and not much else. It got pretty hot in there too with the mossie net down.||At COP50,000 per night, it was hard not to make unfavourable comparisons (in money terms) with the larger private rooms with attached bathroom, found elsewhere in the desert for a maximum of COP35,000. Some campers I met at Constantino were being charged COP20,000 per night, compared with half that or less elsewhere.||Drinks are also a brazen rip-off (again compared to everywhere else), at COP4,500 for a beer and COP3,500 for the smallest bottles of water (litre bottles not available). Everywhere else I went to had litre waters for sale at COP3-4,000.||Obviously some perspective is needed here. If you're backpacking on a tight budget then this place probably isn't for you. But if funds are less of an issue and you're viewing prices in home currency terms alone, and especially if you take one of the better quality accommodation options, then you should have a comfortable stay in what is an undoubtedly beautiful setting, and still consider the somewhat inflated prices as fair...

This hotel is ok, but it is above the standard for the region (a desert). We stayed in a Casa Cristales room that sleeps four, it felt a little cramped since the ceilings are low and for some strange reason there is a beaded curtain instead of an actual bathroom door (no privacy), but it was clean and the beds and pillows were decent. There is mosquito netting provided for each bed, which is important since the room's "windows" are completely open and anything can enter, although we didn't see any bugs beyond a spider. There is a fan provided, and it was sufficient, although we only stayed one night and I don't know how hot it gets during other times of the year. The food is basic, not a lot of variety in the menu, but again, good for a region where all the food has to be imported. Not a lot of options for vegetarian food beyond rice and veggies but the staff do try. They are helpful although some of them are quite young (maybe the owner's sons?) and helped us out with an issue we had regarding payment (they only take cash and the nearest town is 40 minutes away) that was our own fault. The WiFi in our room was good, but its poor in the common areas. I wouldn't stay for a week here, but for one or two nights, its...

The double room with pool view is very comfortable, even if you do not see the pool. But the view from the terrace of this detached bungalow is even better - it goes over the desert and by night you can watch the stars.||Everything is spotlessly clean and the staff very friendly.||I was a bit worried about the communication and the organisation of the transfer and a guide as I do not speak Spanish.|But in fact is was very easy. Sent them a WhatsApp with my requests and they made sure that I was contacted by the taxi driver (by WhatsApp). Pick-up and drop-off from / to the airport worked very well.||If no English speaking guide is available (I do not know if there is one available in the whole area), just ask the hotel staff for Jason. He speaks a little English, is fun and very knowledgeable. And be is able to explain without a lot of words so that we had a great tour through the grey and red dessert.||I would absolutely recommend this hotel if you plan to...