Calama hotels and hostels
Sonesta Hotel Calama
Diego De Almagro Calama
Ayelen Apart Hotel
Hostal Nativo
This little crash pad has a sparkling tiled entryway that leads you to a handful of toxically clean rooms. The beds are a bit bowed and spongy, but still, this is probably your best bet on a budget.
Hotel Universo
It’s a dark, dark universe (literally, this place definitely could use a lighting consultation with one of those Fab Five guys), but this little cosmic cutie does have some redeeming qualities: big thick mattresses and gleaming bathrooms.
Residencial Toño
A petite family-run place through a dark corridor away from the busy street, Toño stands out not so much for its rooms - which are tidily kept but no great shakes - as for its warm and helpful management.
Hotel Punakora
An efficient but rather bland hotel on a quiet street and fronted by a parking lot. Its 26 whitewashed-brick rooms are equipped with fridge and cable TV, and there's a small but decent restaurant.
Hotel Atenas
A dark warren of rooms right off the pedestrian mall, the Atenas is a bit odiferous, but with sparkling bathrooms and a ‘pimp’ location, it’s one of the best value for the price.
Hotel El Mirador
This historic hotel, fronted by a dainty balcony and octagonal tower, is a sure bet. Rooms have vaulted ceilings, enormous bathrooms and cheery white bed covers, though the mashed-potato pillows could use some fluffing (or replacing).
Hotel San Juan
An excellent little hotel opposite buses to San Pedro de Atacama. The squeaky-clean rooms include all the usual hoped-for mod cons (fridge, cable TV) but also throw in some of the more unusual (cute little music stereos and comfy swivel chairs).
Hotel John Keny
A quirky hotel with both budget and midrange blocks; the newer complex sports modern rooms and its own teeny observatory for stargazers on top.
Casas Del Valle
This well-shaded campground behind the municipal stadium, about 700m east of the train station, is a bit pricey, but you get showers, drinkable water and electricity.
Hotel Lican Antai
About as central as you can get, this upscale hotel reflects its position in its inflated prices. Its 48 rooms are smartly appointed, if a little bland.
Hotel Claris Loa
There's little more to rooms than a saggy bed, a light bulb and decaying wooden drawers, but it's one of the cheapest places in an expensive town. A wide and sunny terrace sweetens the deal somewhat.
Hotel El Loa
An amiable but average spot with red curly ironwork outside and plain cell-like rooms inside. Double rooms have cable TV and above-average water pressure, and the shared bathrooms are actually rather clean.
Hostería Calama
It’s a bit ’70s bebop and a bit beige, but the Hostería remains one of Calama’s best hotels. It holds its ground by offering decently priced rooms, and all the conveniences of a modern business hotel, such as a gym and a games room.
Hotel L&S
This sleek stylish ‘business-lite’ hotel is obsessively well polished; when staff members are not buffing the already dazzling floors, they seem to be attacking the bathrooms with a toothbrush.