I chose Hotel Cumbres based on my consistently great experiences at their Santiago Lastarria location — but this stay was disappointing from start to finish. At check-in, the staff failed to apply my VIP 20% discounts, and at check-out, I was overcharged and, at 1 week later, they are unable to apply a credit to my charge card. Communication was also difficult as several restaurant/bar staff members did not speak English. Breakfast service should begin earlier—around 6 a.m.—as many tours depart between 7 and 8 a.m. The boxed breakfasts provided were insufficient and did not accommodate the dietary restrictions that had been requested.
The hotel itself is outside the town of San Pedro de Atacama, which feels more like a favela than a charming town, and the hotel provides limited shuttle service. If you need transportation outside the hotel’s limited shuttle hours, you’re on your own — left to flag down one of the few passing taxis and pay out of pocket for the ride back to the hotel. Additionally, the pickup point is located on a dark, deserted corner outside town, which feels very unsafe.
For the rates this hotel charges, the hotel should provide an on-demand shuttle service, especially during the scorching daytime heat or late at night, with pickup in a secure in-town location. While the property itself is unquestionably the finest in the San Pedro de Atacama area, the service turns what could be a jewel in the desert into a stain on the sand.
