CATEGORIES
CATEGORIESSantiago is enormous; close to 40% of Chile’s population resides in this sprawling capital. While adventure beckons in the surrounding Andes and along the country’s lengthy coastline, it’s worth spending a couple days exploring this cultural hub. Of the hundreds of hotels you’ll find in Santiago’s city limits, here are 3 of Active Junky’s top picks.
The Aubrey Hotel lands somewhere between classic and modern with compact, well-appointed rooms and an inspired breakfast area. Sitting nooks are tucked between levels and buildings while the outside water feature is refreshing—as is the elevated pool. A courteous staff points to the way to the city’s sights while the adjoining cocktail lounge and tapas bar takes eclectic decorating to an impressive extreme; food and beverages display a sense of humor and good taste. Proximity to nearby clubs and historic sites in the Bellavista neighborhood earned points with the Active Junky team.
Rated highly among bed-and-breakfast options, Castillo Rojo turns a classic building into pure comfort. Staff here merits Active Junky’s highest accolades, both for local knowledge and individual guest attention. The restaurant ranges from casual (with typical Chilean food) to extreme upscale; the adjoining sister restaurant, serving breakfast to guests, is the best way to accelerate your regional dining experience with an extended lunch.
The Singular Hotel reinvents hospitality in a manner that Active Junky team members found hard to believe. Every element, customized. Every detail, considered. From the handmade chocolates proffered at check-in to the infinity pool floating high above the city (adjoining the sky bar), the owners invested in guest satisfaction. Active Junky team members, tired from skiing but enthused about downtown Santiago, found nothing beyond The Singular’s vigilance. A new feature; wine tastings and food pairings in the hotel’s belowground stronghold.
Though not exactly a hotel, Pablo Neruda’s Santiago abode merits a visit. Pablo Neruda commands respect, adulation really, years after his death. Poet, statesman, romantic and collector, Neruda’s legacy is showcased in one of his homes; another is part of the urban landscape of Valparaiso commanding an impressive ocean view. Of note in his Santiago home, La Chascona, is the ship’s galley-inspired dining area, complete with a secret door from which he surprised guests. Pocket gardens, modern art and eccentric furnishings pay tribute to this Renaissance man; his Nobel Prize is tucked among treasures big and small.
