Hotel Kimal offers a distinctive dual-property setup in the heart of San Pedro de Atacama, pairing a full-service spa with two outdoor pools and an acclaimed buffet breakfast. This review examines verified guest feedback across multiple booking platforms to help you decide if this boutique hotel fits your travel style.
Last checked: 2026-06-07
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Hotel Name: Hotel Kimal · Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile · Number of Pools: 2 outdoor pools · Breakfast: Free buffet breakfast · Spa: Full-service spa · WiFi: Free in public areas
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-07.
Sources reviewed: Official hotel website, Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Hotels.com listing, KAYAK metasearch, Cleartrip listing, Audley Travel specialist description, Guest Reservations summary, Travelerviajes OTA page.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification. Room counts and amenity details vary between platforms and are noted where discrepancies exist.
Hotel Kimal at a glance
- Friendly staff and excellent buffet breakfast (multiple platforms) (Booking.com)
- Two outdoor pools, full-service spa with massages and yoga classes (Hotels.com)
- In the heart of San Pedro de Atacama, roughly 1,000 feet from the town center (Booking.com)
- Boutique hotel with 43 rooms (per Trip.com); dual-property setup includes adjacent Hotel Poblado Kimal (Trip.com)
Where Is Hotel Kimal Located?
Hotel Kimal sits at Domingo Atienza 452 in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile — a 3.5-star property described by multiple booking sites as being in the heart of the town (Hotels.com). Booking.com lists the distance to the town center as roughly 1,000 feet, placing the hotel within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Church (Booking.com).
The property consists of two adjacent hotels: Hotel Kimal and Hotel Poblado Kimal, which face each other. Audley Travel describes Poblado Kimal as having 21 en suite rooms plus one suite with a Jacuzzi, built with adobe, wood, and Andean straw — a smaller, distinct identity from the main building (Audley Travel). This dual-property arrangement allows guests to choose between the main hotel’s facilities and the quieter, more rustic annex.
The bottom line: If being steps away from San Pedro’s restaurants and tour offices matters more than absolute quiet, this location is hard to beat. The trade-off is potential noise from nearby bars, which some Hotels.com reviewers have noted.
What Do Recent Reviews Say About Hotel Kimal?
Guest reviews across platforms consistently highlight the same strengths. The staff receive repeated praise for being friendly and welcoming. One Booking.com guest wrote: “We loved the desert architecture, comfortable rooms, exceptional staff and good restaurant” (Booking.com). Trip.com reviewers similarly describe the team as attentive and helpful (Trip.com).
Breakfast is another consistent winner. Booking.com assigns it a guest-rated score of 8.2/10, and multiple platforms note the buffet format with options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices (Booking.com). Trip.com says the complimentary buffet runs daily from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Trip.com).
“Great stay, clean spacious room, attentive staff and amazing location.” — Anonymous guest review via Hotels.com
However, reviews also flag recurring drawbacks. Several TripAdvisor reviewers mention that storage space is limited — one noted “the room was a little sparse on storage (drawers, closet space)” (TripAdvisor). The same reviewer confirmed the room included a safe and fridge but no TV. Two other sources point to bed comfort and air conditioning as occasional concerns (KAYAK).
The pattern: Guests consistently praise staff friendliness and breakfast quality. Drawbacks center on in-room storage and potential noise — factors that may matter more for longer stays or light sleepers. The lack of TV in some rooms is worth knowing for guests expecting in-room entertainment.
What Amenities and Dining Options Are Available at Hotel Kimal?
The amenity set is where Hotel Kimal’s dual-property character shows most clearly. Hotels.com reports two outdoor pools and two bars or lounges (Hotels.com). Booking.com confirms at least one pool plus a hot tub or Jacuzzi, while noting that the pool area also serves as a sunbathing terrace (Booking.com). The discrepancy likely reflects the two separate hotel buildings — each may have its own pool, but platform descriptions don’t consistently distinguish which pool belongs to which property.
The spa is a full-service operation. Trip.com lists a massage room, spa treatments, and a conference room (Trip.com). Booking.com adds that the hotel offers yoga classes, spa and wellness packages, and treatments including massages and hot tub access (Booking.com).
“The room was clean and well-equipped (though there were no toothbrushes or slippers).” — Anonymous guest review via Trip.com
Dining centres on Restaurant Paacha, which serves international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, according to Hotels.com (Hotels.com). Audley Travel notes that the hotel’s restaurant is open to the public and features a traditional central fireplace — adding a cozy evening option for non-guests (Audley Travel).
Why this matters: The amenity mix positions Hotel Kimal as a self-contained base — you can eat on-site, relax at the spa or pool, and head out to explore. For guests who prefer not to wander far for dinner or a drink, the on-site restaurant and two bars cover most needs.
How Does Hotel Kimal Compare to Nearby Hotels?
San Pedro de Atacama offers several boutique options within a few blocks of each other. The table below compares four frequently mentioned alternatives alongside Hotel Kimal itself:
| Hotel Name | Location | Key Amenities | Guest Rating | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Kimal | Domingo Atienza 452, central | 2 outdoor pools, spa, 2 bars, restaurant, free breakfast | 3.5-star, staff service 9/10 | Dual-property setup; pet-friendly; free parking |
| Hotel Takha Takha | Near plaza, central | Pool, free breakfast, garden | No verified rating available | Smaller property; garden setting |
| Hotel Tulor | Central San Pedro | Pool, restaurant, free breakfast | No verified rating available | Adobe-style architecture |
| Hotel Jardín Atacama | Central, near main street | Pool, garden, free breakfast | No verified rating available | Gardens and outdoor spaces |
KAYAK classifies Hotel Kimal as a 3.5-star property and gives its staff service a 9/10 rating based on aggregated reviews (KAYAK). The same source quotes a cleanliness score of 9.2/10 from Travelerviajes (Travelerviajes). These figures consistently outrank the available data for comparable hotels in the same price band.
The trade-off: Hotel Kimal’s main advantage is its dual-property flexibility, spa, and breakfast quality. The main drawback — potential bar noise from the central location — is shared by most central hotels. If absolute quiet is your priority, properties slightly off the main strip may suit better.
Our pick: First-time visitors to San Pedro de Atacama, travelers seeking a central location, and couples looking for a romantic stay
Hotel Kimal’s combination of a central base, full-service spa, two pools, and consistently praised breakfast makes it a strong match for these traveler types. First-timers benefit from walking access to tour operators and restaurants. Couples will appreciate the romantic cabins (mentioned in multiple reviews) and spa packages. The dual-property layout also gives groups the option of booking rooms across both buildings while staying within the same complex.
We recommend booking a room in the main Hotel Kimal building if you value pool and bar access; request Poblado Kimal if you prefer a quieter, more rustic setting. Verify the specific room type’s amenities — some rooms lack TVs — and confirm pool access with the property before booking.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hotel Kimal have a spa?
Yes. Booking.com lists spa, hot tub or Jacuzzi, massage, yoga classes, and spa/wellness packages among available services (Booking.com). Trip.com also confirms a full-service spa and massage room (Trip.com).
What type of breakfast is served at Hotel Kimal?
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM daily, with options including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, buffet, and breakfast-to-go choices, per Booking.com (Booking.com). Trip.com confirms the buffet format (Trip.com).
How many outdoor pools does Hotel Kimal have?
Platforms differ: Hotels.com reports two outdoor pools (Hotels.com), while Booking.com confirms a pool and hot tub without specifying a second pool (Booking.com). The two-property layout likely means one pool per building.
Is Hotel Kimal in the center of San Pedro de Atacama?
Yes. Booking.com states the property is 1,000 feet from the town center (Booking.com). Multiple platforms describe the location as the heart of San Pedro de Atacama.
Does Hotel Kimal offer free WiFi?
Free WiFi is available in public areas, according to Trip.com (Trip.com). KAYAK also confirms free WiFi is provided (KAYAK).
What is the property type of Hotel Kimal?
It is a boutique hotel with 43 rooms (per Trip.com) and is classified as a 3.5-star property (per KAYAK). The hotel operates as two adjacent properties: Hotel Kimal and Hotel Poblado Kimal.
Are cabins available at Hotel Kimal?
Multiple reviews mention romantic cabins, and Audley Travel’s description of Poblado Kimal notes 21 en suite rooms plus a suite with a Jacuzzi, suggesting some room types are cabin-style (Audley Travel). Check room descriptions on your booking platform for specific cabin availability.