explora Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Striking modern hotels in far-flung, exotic locales are an Explora specialty. But there’s no more dramatic example of that tendency than their hotel on Rapa Nui — or, to give it its more familiar name, Easter Island. They’re calling it the Posada de Mike Rapu, after a diver and entrepreneur who’s a local partner on the project. But it’s obviously not exactly your ordinary posada.

First there’s the architecture: the building’s rounded forms are almost futuristic, but it’s brought down to earth by humble materials like raw concrete and unfinished wood. Open floor plans and wide windows maximize the sight-lines from anywhere in the room — and the view is, as always, a large part of the Explora’s appeal. The luxuriousness of the place is understated, but it’s undeniable, and mostly takes the form of thoughtful, friendly service.

The building, of course, is somewhat secondary. Like all the Explora hotels, it’s all about the tours. They’re conducted in small groups, expertly managed to avoid the peak traffic at the main destinations. You’ll see the island’s archaeological sites as well as all its natural gifts, on foot, by bike and by sea. And at the end of a couple of days you’ll know as much as just about anyone about the mystery that is Rapa Nui.

Please note: there is a 3-night minimum requirement at explora Rapa Nui.

How to get there:
The hotel is located 3,700 kilometers (2,237 miles) from the American continent. From Santiago, Chile, take a connecting flight to Isla de Pascua (Easter Island or Rapa Nui), which lasts five hours. It is also possible to get a flight to Isla de Pascua from Tahiti (Papeete), which also takes five hours. From Mataveri airport, Isla de Pascua, the hotel provides transfers to Posada de Mike Rapu, a 5-minute trip.