Inside the Bolivian salt hotel built using one million cubes of sodium chloride


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This hotel will certainly leave you thirsty for more.

Standing atop the largest salt flat in the world, the Palacio de Sal has taken the idea of using local materials to the extreme, constructing the building with one million blocks of the condiment.

Everything from the walls and floors to the beds and tables have been carved out of salt taken from the Salar de Uyuni salt flat in a project that took two years to complete.

But while it may sound somewhat stark, the hotel offers every comfort travellers may need, from saunas and steam rooms to, unsurprisingly, saltwater baths.

The Palacio de Sal is located on the edge of Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni - the largest salt flat in the world

The Palacio de Sal is located on the edge of Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni - the largest salt flat in the world

For seasoned travellers: Even the bedroom furniture is made out of salt at the Palacio de Sal in Bolivia

For seasoned travellers: Even the bedroom furniture is made out of salt at the Palacio de Sal in Bolivia

Spectacular setting: The salt hotel is located by the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, the largest in the world, and has taken the idea of using local materials to the extreme

Spectacular setting: The salt hotel is located by the Salar de Uyuni salt flat, the largest in the world, and has taken the idea of using local materials to the extreme

Building blocks: Around on million 35cm bricks of salt were used to construct the hotel, which has to be repaired after each rainy season

Building blocks: Around on million 35cm bricks of salt were used to construct the hotel, which has to be repaired after each rainy season

There are strict rules for seasoned guests to the 30-room resort, such as 'don't lick the walls'.

Of course, the hotel is somewhat fragile and has to be repaired after each rainy season sweeps in and dissolves parts of the construction.

Tour guide Pedro Pablo Michel Rocha said: 'Guests who see it for the first time are amazed and don't believe it's all made out of salt.

'I've actually seen some try to lick the walls or tables to make sure.

Take a seat: It's not just the building that is made out of salt, sodium chloride was used for the furniture too

Take a seat: It's not just the building that is made out of salt, sodium chloride was used for the furniture too

The bedside table, bed and even the desk are made from carved slat blocks. Thankfully the bed also has a mattress for extra comfort

The bedside table, bed and even the desk are made from carved slat blocks. Thankfully the bed also has a mattress for extra comfort

'We can promise that it all is. As the name indicates, our hotel is like a palace. It has a unique infrastructure and is a treat for the eyes.

'The bedrooms attract attention because they resemble igloos built with salt blocks.'

Creator Don Juan Quesada dreamt up the idea of the world's first salt hotel as it was the most abundant building resource in the area.

The Palacio de Sal was first built in the mid 90s but had to be dismantled in 2002 before being rebuilt.

Others have tried to follow suit but the Palacio de Sal, 25km from the city of Uyuni in south west Bolivia, remains the biggest and best, a spokesman said.

Wet room: The shower room, unsurprisingly, is devoid of salt so that it doesn't dissolve during each shower
Warm welcome: Guests are free to explore the salty hotel, but they're not allowed to lick the walls

No snacking: Guests are asked not to lick the walls of the hotel and, unsurprisingly, the bathrooms use less soluble materials to ensure they stay standing

Glitz factor: The hotel has plenty of luxurious offerings, from a sauna to steam rooms and - unsurprisingly - salt water baths

Glitz factor: The hotel has plenty of luxurious offerings, from a sauna to steam rooms and - unsurprisingly - salt water baths

Home from home: The owner say people love staying at the Palacio de Sal because its rooms resemble igloos built of salt

Home from home: The owner say people love staying at the Palacio de Sal because its rooms resemble igloos built of salt

Even the quirky retreat's swimming pool, tables and chairs in the dining room and nine-hole golf course are made from sodium chloride.

It sleeps up to 48 people across 21 twin rooms and nine double rooms with prices starting at a tasty £85 a night.

 

Hotel spokesperson Pedro Pablo Michel Rocha said: 'Our dining room is indescribable. Guests can enjoy our exclusive and exquisite meals prepared on the basis of salt, flame and lamb meat from the region, or salted chicken.

'The bedrooms attract attention because they resemble igloos built with salt blocks.'

With prices starting at £85 a night, the hotel has all the mod cons including a sauna, steam room, whirlpool and games room, pictured

With prices starting at £85 a night, the hotel has all the mod cons including a sauna, steam room, whirlpool and games room, pictured

The hotel features a bar, 'indescribable' dining area and, unsurprisingly, its own salt baths

The hotel features a bar, 'indescribable' dining area and, unsurprisingly, its own salt baths



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