Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Chile / Easter Island / Explora Rapa Nui
Explora Rapa Nui
Easter Island, Chile · Explora · Grand Luxury
Explora Rapa Nui opened in December 2007 as the first luxury lodging on Easter Island, set on 9.6 hectares in the Te Miro Oone area. Architect José Cruz Ovalle designed the low-slung concrete, glass and wood lodge, whose 30 ocean-view rooms, split between 26 Varúa rooms and four Raa suites, made it the first hotel in South America to earn LEED certification.
- 30 rooms
- Opened 2007
- Rooms from 344 sq ft (32 m²)
- Architect: José Cruz Ovalle
About Explora Rapa Nui
- It is also known as Posada de Mike Rapu, named for the Rapa Nui diver and community leader whose land it was built on.
- Architect José Cruz Ovalle designed the lodge's volcanic-rock base to echo the ramparts of Orongo, the island's ceremonial Birdman site.
- Rooms have no televisions by design, so guests are drawn instead to the lodge's ocean views and jetted tubs.
- Entry-level rooms start at 344 sq ft (32 m²).
History
Explora Rapa Nui, also known as the Posada de Mike Rapu, opened in December 2007 as the first luxury lodging on Easter Island. Designed by acclaimed Chilean architect José Cruz Ovalle, it sits on 9.6 hectares in the Te Miro Oone area, about five miles from Hanga Roa, on land owned by local diver and community leader Mike Rapu and developed in collaboration with the island community.
The low-slung concrete, glass and wood lodge has 30 ocean-view rooms (26 Varúa rooms and four Raa suites) and was the first lodge in South America to earn LEED certification.
The setting
11 km from white coral sands at Anakena Beach. 9 km from Mataveri International Airport.
Restaurants and bars
- Restaurante Explora Rapa Nui — Restaurant
Experiences
- Rapa Nui Explorations (30 guided Explorations) — Full- and half-day guided discoveries for groups of up to eight, led by Explora's certified bilingual guides and included in the stay.
- Signature Explorations — Explorations designed and operated exclusively by Explora in the region's most remote and pristine locations.
- Rapa Nui cuisine dining — Included dining with Polynesian and Chilean cuisine and Chilean wine service, in the dining room with ocean views.
- Hare Vaka spa — Full-service spa offering massage and body treatments, including Polynesian and Rapa Nui wellness-inspired options; basic access is included.
- Outdoor pool and hot tub — Outdoor swimming pool and hot tub within the lodge grounds, with views across the grasslands toward the Pacific Ocean.
- Sauna — Sauna included among the on-property wellness facilities in the all-inclusive rate.
Amenities
- Spa
- Pool
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Water sports
- Horseback riding
- All-inclusive
Awards
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
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