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El Palacio de Sal is located on the edge of the world-famous Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. As the world's first luxury hotel made entirely of salt, it's the perfect stop for anyone visiting the magical Salar de Uyuni.
CHAPTER 1: THE BIRTH OF THE "SALT PALACE"
To create something truly amazing, you need two things: a crazy idea, and the courage to execute that idea. In 1998, Don Juan Quesada Valda—the man who begins our story—had both. A pioneer in the tourism industry in southern Bolivia, instead of seeking something simple and easy to grasp, Juan decided he wanted a hotel made of... salt.
From that seemingly strange dream, through countless studies and experiments, a unique and extraordinary resting place was born.El Palacio de Sal (Salt Palace)Even to this day, the defining characteristic of this place remains the creation of a surreal reality, where the beauty of everything is interconnected.
Although Juan is no longer there to continue admiring his masterpiece, his extraordinary and beautiful legacy is being passed down to his children.
Today, El Palacio de Sal sits on the edge of the world-famous Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. Although it had been operational since the late 1990s, it wasn't until 2004 that the hotel was moved from the heart of the salt flats to the shoreline. This move ensured the structure no longer encroached on the natural formation of the salt flats, nor did it affect the daily lives of those who lived and worked there. Even today, from above, the hotel's square Andean cross-shaped architecture remains visible, standing there as a gift from Bolivian culture to all visitors (or those looking down from above).
CHAPTER 2: EVERYTHING IS MADE FROM SALT
With a total of approximately 10,500 tons of salt, El Palacio de Sal is made up of over 1 million salt bricks, every detail from the walls, ceilings and interior of the 4,500 m² building being constructed from salt.2These structures are all made from salt from the Salar de Uyuni salt fields. However, this difference also means the hotel's structure is not as stable as those made from other materials. Every rainy season, repairs and replacements are necessary because the salt dissolves. And when winter comes, it is reinforced with a cement-like mixture of salt and water.
And true to its unique name, this hotel is as magnificent as a real palace.
Whether it's a standard room or a VIP room, they are all lavishly decorated, featuring distinctive domed ceilings and complete heating and hot water systems. Guests wishing to relax can also visit the hotel's spa, enjoying the sauna, steam room, or unwinding in the saltwater swimming pool…
"Initially, many tourists were skeptical, so they tried... licking the items in their rooms to make sure they were made of salt," a tour guide shared. This happened so frequently that a rule had to be put in place.No licking the walls.To protect the hotel from deterioration over time.
CHAPTER 3: OUTSIDE THE SALT PALACE
Located in southwestern Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, the result of thousands of years of transformation of prehistoric lakes. It covers an area of approximately 12,000 km² and lies at an altitude of approximately 3,700 m above sea level.
Salar de Uyuni is already incredibly majestic, stretching out like an endless white field. But even more so, during the rainy season, the entire landscape transforms into a giant mirror, reflecting the clear sky and creating a magical and breathtaking natural spectacle. It's so famous that any tourist visiting Salar de Uyuni and staying at El Palacio de Sal undoubtedly wants to experience this enchanting feeling.walking on clouds.
This "endless field" is not only the inspiration for the decorative art on every wall that makes up El Palacio de Sal, and the invaluable contributions of all those who made the Salt Palace a reality from the dream of Don Juan Quesada Valda, but it is also the source of every gram of salt used to keep this extraordinary structure standing to this day.
