Nayara Hangaroa

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Nayara Hangaroa? It’s actually right there on Avenida Pont, but somehow they’ve managed to make it feel completely removed from the dusty bustle of Hanga Roa’s main drag. I mean, you’re literally minutes from the centro but the place has this incredible sense of isolation – which honestly is exactly what you want when you’ve flown halfway around the world to Easter Island.

The property itself sort of sprawls along the coastline in a way that feels deliberate but not overly manicured, if that makes sense. Each villa (and they really are individual villas, not just hotel rooms with fancy names) has these floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the Pacific in a way that made me stop mid-conversation more than once. The staff actually gets this – they’re not hovering, but they seem to anticipate what you need before you realize you need it. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward, no lengthy presentations about resort amenities or timeshare pitches. They handed me a welcome drink, pointed toward my villa, and basically said “let us know if you need anything.” Perfect.

What really sets this place apart though is how they’ve integrated with the island itself rather than trying to impose some generic luxury resort template. The restaurant sources ingredients locally (well, as locally as you can on a remote Pacific island), and I honestly had some of the best seafood of my life there. The pool area faces west toward the sunset, obviously, but they’ve positioned the loungers so you’re not fighting for the perfect spot – everyone gets the view. And here’s something I appreciated: the wifi is solid but not aggressively promoted, so you can actually disconnect if you want to. The spa uses traditional Polynesian techniques, which felt authentic rather than gimmicky. Even the morning coffee service – they bring it right to your villa terrace – feels less like hotel efficiency and more like genuine hospitality. It’s pricey, sure, but when you’re on Easter Island everything’s going to cost more anyway, and this actually feels worth it. Plus you’re walking distance to some of the best moai sites, though honestly after a day of exploring those ancient statues, coming back to your private terrace with a pisco sour while the sun sets over the Pacific… well, that’s exactly why you save up for a place like this.