ESO Hotel, Residential hotel near Paranal Observatory in Antofagasta, Chile
ESO Hotel is an accommodation facility next to Paranal Observatory located in the Atacama Desert at an elevation of 2,400 meters (7,900 feet). The building spans four floors with 108 rooms distributed across approximately 10,000 square meters (107,600 square feet) of space.
The European Southern Observatory opened this accommodation facility in February 2002 to house scientists and engineers working at Paranal Observatory. The completion of this modern facility was a key step to support long-term research operations in the region.
The dining hall and shared spaces serve as gathering points where astronomers from different countries meet and discuss their research. These meeting areas encourage international exchange among the professionals working at the nearby observatory.
Access to this facility requires advance reservations through the European Southern Observatory office, as it exclusively serves observatory staff and authorized visitors. Keep in mind this is a specialized research accommodation and does not function like a public hotel.
The building was designed by architect Hernán Marchant and unexpectedly became a filming location for the Bond film Quantum of Solace, appearing as a fictional eco-lodge in Bolivia. This movie appearance gives the research facility an intriguing connection to popular culture.
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