There’s never been a better time to visit the Chilean capital. Whether you’re interested in outdoor adventures, fine dining, or arts and culture, Santiago has it all: positioned at the base of the snow-capped Alps, within easy reach of wine country and the Pacific Ocean, the city has a lively cultural landscape and a vibrant food and wine scene.
Though business-oriented luxury hotels have long dominated the scene in Santiago, smaller boutique hotels have been popping up left and right in the past decade. Centered primarily in the stylish neighborhoods of Lastarria and Bellavista, within walking distance of the city’s downtown, these boutique hotels offer historic charm and a taste of Chilean culture.
Lastarria Boutique Hotel
Rooms from $152/night
Lastarria, located adjacent to Santiago’s downtown, is a gem of a neighborhood filled with great cafes and restaurants. It’s the perfect place in the city to base yourself, and Lastarria Boutique Hotel may be the best hotel in the area. Housed in a mansion that dates to 1927, the hotel features a picturesque swimming pool tucked away in a walled garden. Inside, Lastarria Boutique Hotel is thoroughly elegant, with moulded ceilings, parquet floors, and fireplaces original to the property. Guest rooms have flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations; some also have large balconies with wrought-iron furniture and bathtubs lined with ceramic tile. In the evenings, to top it all off, the hotel hosts wine tastings.
Castillo Rojo
Rooms from $189/ night
Situated just steps away from La Chascona, the Santiago home of the famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Castillo Rojo means “Red Castle.” You can’t miss it: the boutique hotel looks like a red castle in the middle of a regular city bloc . It’s been a landmark for years, but it was turned into a hotel fairly recently. It’s already a favorite among travelers: it’s elegant inside, with modern in-room amenities and welcome details like complimentary bottled water. And it offers easy access to the surrounding neighborhood of Bellavista, a lively area of the city that’s known for its casual restaurants and nightlife scene.
Hotel Luciano K
Rooms from $179/ night
Fun fact: the first elevator in all of Chile is located inside this beautifully restored boutique hotel. The building dates from the 1920s. Luciano K is a favorite among style-conscious travelers, thanks to its Art Deco-inspired decor, airy terrace complete with cocktail bar and views over the park, and central location downtown. Guest rooms are plush and creatively illuminated, with soundproofed windows and flat-screen TVs. There’s also a spa and wellness center, should you need to recover from jet lag.
The Aubrey
Rooms from $280/ night
FAn old mansion turned into a modern boutique hotel with a great swimming pool and poolside bar? Yes, please: the Aubrey is an outstanding (and relatively new) addition to Santiago’s boutique hotel scene. The property has fifteen guest rooms, most of which have a private balcony or terrace. Perks include Hansgrohe showers, 300-thread count sheets, LCD TVs, welcome drinks (pisco sours, of course) and a complimentary breakfast buffet including fresh-squeezed juices and eggs made to order. It’s located at the foot of Cerro San Cristobal in the lively neighborhood of Bellavista.
Hotel Boutique Le Reve
Rooms from $310/ night
“Le Reve” means “The Dream,” and there’s something dreamy, indeed, about this boutique hotel from the moment you lay eyes on the foliage-covered exterior. Hotel Boutique Le Reve is a refuge from the busy, central neighborhood of Providencia. Guest rooms feel luxurious, light-filled and outfitted in high-quality materials from the marble countertops to the fine linens. Some have private balconies and terraces. One of the hotel’s loveliest spaces is the French-inspired courtyard, where breakfast is served under the fruit trees when weather permits.