Santiago accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “Santi”.
Santiago known for: mountains, ski resorts (2-hours eastward), beaches (2 hours westward), cable cars, architecture (Chilean colonial), squares, plazas, parques (parks), gardens, hills, fountains, statues, museums, theaters, shopping malls, markets, vineyards, Catholic churches
Located near Chile’s (narrow, elongated, coastal South American country) mid-point, Santiago is roughly 400 miles west of Córdoba, Argentina. The Andes Mountains (eastward) host ski slopes along with the Andean condor (Chile national bird). Westward numerous beaches are accompanied by Humboldt penguins, South American sea lions and Peruvian boobies (bird!). Sourced by the Andes, the Mapocho River flows through central Santiago, dividing the city into two districts. Also known as CH-70, Ruta 70 and Avenida Circunvalación Américo Vespucio, Santiago’s outer ring road (Route 70) encircles the city for 40 miles.
Santiago main attractions: Cenco Costanera (shopping mall), Plaza de Armas de Santiago (central square – statues, stately buildings), Parque Arauco. (shopping mall), Mallplaza Egaña (shopping mall), Parque Bicentenario (green space – dog agility course, playground, sports / picnic areas, walking paths), Fantasilandia (amusement park), Santiago Central Market, Movistar Arena (concert hall), Parque Metropolitano de Santiago (expansive park – cable cars, zoo, forest, statues, pools), Araucano Park (rose gardens, basketball / tennis, playground, skate park), Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Pradanos (stadium), Parque Quinta Normal (green space, museums, paddle boats, children’s fountain, food vendors), Plaza Ñuñoa (open-air restaurants/bars, fountains), Reyes Park (sports fields, skatepark, pool, flea market, arts center), Centro Comercial Apumanque (shopping mall), Parque Padre Hurtado (large park, bike paths, mini-golf, skating rink, amphitheater, cafeteria), Mall Barrio Independencia (shopping mall), Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre, La Fábrica Patio Outlet (shopping mall), Golfo di Napoli Trattoria e Pizzeria (Italian restaurant), Parque Almagro (park, artwork, sculptures), Lo Valledor (produce market), National Zoo, Teatro Caupolican (performing arts theater), Parque Fluvial (riverfront park, paved paths, boat rentals, artificial lagoon, night-time light shows), Mercado Matadero (shopping mall), La Moneda Cultural Center (cultural center), Inés de Suárez Park (fountains, table tennis, avenue of palms, jogging, dog walking), Mercado la Vega (fresh food market), National Museum of Fine Arts (art museum), Museum of Memory & Human Rights (local history museum), Juan Pablo II Park (green space, pond, fountain, playground, sculptures), Fuente Mardoqueo (restaurant), Municipal Theatre of Santiago (performing arts theater – built 1857), National Museum of Natural History, Los Buenos Muchachos (Chilean restaurant), Cerro San Cristóbal (tourist attraction), Parque Bicentenario de Cerrillos (elongated green space, playgrounds, picnic tables, artificial lake, kayaking), Open Plaza Kennedy (shopping mall), Parque Bustamante (green space, bike paths, exercise equipment, literary café, skate park), Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (ethnographic museum), Drugstore Boulevard (shopping mall), Constitution Place (palace-front square, paved / grass sections, military parades, civic monuments), Club Hípico de Santiago (horse racecourse founded 1869), Bicentenario de la Infancia Park, Pedro de Valdivia Metropolitan Park, National Aerospace Museum (national museum), Santa Laura Stadium, Centro Cultural Matucana 100 (cultural center), Gruta de Lourdes (Catholic grotto inaugurated 1908), Sanctuary on San Cristóbal Hill (Catholic church), Las Pipas de Einstein (wine store), Church of the Blessed Sacrament (Catholic church)
Bordering / surrounding Santiago points of interest: Parque Orione (Chinese park), Mallplaza Oeste (shopping mall), Templo Votivo de Maipu (Catholic church), Aviva Santiago (water park), Tactical Sport Chile (paintball center), Hacienda Chicureo Club (golf club), Manquehuito Mountain (nature preserve), Hacienda Santa Martina (golf club), Outlife Parque RKF El Durazno (bike park), Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán (nature park, picnic spots, BBQs, hiking / mountain biking trails), Mampato Lo Barnechea (children’s amusement park), Parque Natural San Carlos de Apoquindo (national park, hiking, mountain biking, mountain views), Los Dominicos Craft Centre (handicraft fair), Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón (forested park, trails, scenic views, hanging bridges, waterfalls, education center), Templo Bahá’í de Sudamérica (Bahá’í house of worship), Parque Natural Quebrada de Macul (nature preserve, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, Andean foxes), Cenco Florida (shopping mall), Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida (stadium), Mall Plaza Tobalaba (shopping mall), Buin Zoo
Santiago main airport: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Santiago Airport)
Airport car rental agencies: Chilean Rent A Car
Rideshare service: Uber
Rapid transit system: Santiago Metro
Santiago-area ski resorts (1.5 / 2-hour drive eastward): Valle Nevado, La Parva, Lagunillas del Cajón del Maipo
Santiago-area beaches (1.5 hours westward): Playa El Quisco, El Canelillo (popular white-sand beach – pine forest, swimming, sunbathing), Playa Canelo Canelillo, Playa Grande Las Cruces
Santiago top events: Santiago a Mil International Theatre Festival, Santiago International Film Festival, Lollapalooza Chile, Fiestas Patria (Chilean Independence Day), New Year, Santiago Marathon
More fun things: Valparaiso & Valley Tour, Mountain Tour, Wine Tour
Santiago professional football clubs: Colo-Colo, Universidad Católica, Club Universidad de Chile
Santiago currency: Chilean Peso (USDs seldom accepted in establishments)
Legal drinking age: 18 years old
When traveling to Santiago there are some things to keep in mind. English is not widely understood outside of tourist areas. Not far outside the city some of the world’s largest copper mines operate continuously. Consequently air quality can be poor at times. Patriotic, Chileans are known for their honesty (sometimes brutal). Dinner can be as late as 11 pm in Santiago, where one should mind their pockets when out in public places. Santiago accommodations are some of South America’s best. Before we get to Santiago accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along way.
Pacific coast hunter-gatherers (nomadic) likely arrived at the Santiago Basin around 10,000 BC. Permanent settlements were not established until around 800 AD, when indigenous peoples started cultivating maze, potatoes and beans along the Mapocho River. The Incas ruled the area (late-1400s to early-1500s) and established mitimas (forced resettlement areas – present-day central Santiago) for the Picunche and Promaucae (indigenous peoples). A junction along the 25,000-mile Qhapaq Ñan (pre-Columbian-Andean road system), the Santiago area likely served as a place of respite for failed southerly Inca expeditions. Pedro de Valdivia (Spanish conquistador) arrived in the Mapocho Valley (central Chile – strategic geographic corridor) from Peru on December 13, 1540. On behalf of Charles IV (Spain) Valdivia began interacting with the Picunche. The city of “Santiago del Nuevo Extremo” was founded on February 12, 1541 in honor of Spain’s patron saint “Apostle James the Great”. Around that time Pedro de Gamboa (soldier & master builder) designed a grid plan near Huelén, which Valdivia renamed “Santa Lucía”. Eight blocks north-to-south and ten blocks east-to-west, the city’s street grid would become lined with characteristic Chilean colonial architecture. A central area (Plaza Mayor), a cathedral (Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral), a jail and a royal governor’s house were developed in early-Santiago del Nuevo Extremo. Valdivia departed on September 11, 1541 (southward) in order to initiate the Arauco War. Meanwhile, Mapuche chief Michimalonco destroyed most of Santiago del Nuevo Extremo. Mapuche and Picunche warriors ultimately were thwarted, however, by an Inés de Suárez-led (Spanish conquistadora / Valdivia’s mistress) garrison from within the city’s fort. Suárez ordered the beheading of all indigenous prisoners and the displaying of their heads (some thrown at indigenous attackers) on pikes. These brutal tactics caused the natives to flee in fear. After its destruction Santiago would be rebuilt slowly, though the new city of Concepción “took the reigns” briefly in terms of political prominence. Frequent earthquakes coupled with The Arauco War delayed Santiago’s ascension to political prominence. Santiago Royal Court’s establishment (1607) at last solidified the city’s status as capital city. Struggles were tangible early-on in the capital, with food and clothing shortages. Some Spaniards had to make due with dog, cat, seal lion or fox hides for clothing. Santiago would prove resilient (Indigenous attacks, earthquakes, floods. etc.). In the late-16th century the city’s first cathedrals and other significant buildings were built, and tens of thousands of livestock were introduced to surrounding fertile lands. Into the 17th century an earthquake, a smallpox epidemic and flooding would test the city’s resolve once again. Calicanto Bridge (est. 1767 – Luis Manuel de Zañartu) was built across the Mapocho River (northside) as a connection to La Chimba (barrio). Zañartu also built embankments to help with flooding. Completed in 1805, the Joaquín Toesca-designed (Italian architect) “Palacio de La Moneda” started construction in 1784. A September 18, 1810 “First Government Junta of Chile” was organized to establish Chile’s post-colonial rule following Napoleon Bonaparte’s deposition and imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII of Spain. Hard-fought between Chilean Patriots and Royalists, the Chilean War of Independence (1812-1827) ultimately saw a Patriot victory. Rancagua, Chacabuco and Maipú were significant Santiago-area Battles during the war. Bernardo O’Higgins (Chilean Independence leader) became “Supreme Director” (Head of State) following the War of Independence. During the Patria Nueva (New Fatherland) era O’Higgins reopened institutions, built the city’s largest cemetery (General Cemetery), completed the San Carlos Canal and converted a southward drying riverbed into the city’s main avenue (Alameda de las Delicias). By 1865 Santiago’s population had reached 115,337. During the “Republican era” academic institutions (including University de Chile), parks and museums were founded. The area’s first telegraph system (1851) connected communication from Santiago to the Port of Valparaíso. Terminating at present-day Alameda, the city’s first railway began operating on September 14, 1857. Santiago’s population reached 952,075 by 1940 and 1,907,378 by 1960. South America’s tallest building, “Gran Torre Costanera” was completed in 2013.
Home to about 6.2 million santiaguinos (males) and santiaguinas (females), Santiago is found at the center of the Santiago Basin (fertile land). The distant (eastward), snow-capped Andes Mountain range creates a dramatic backdrop. Santiago people speak a Chilean-Spanish dialect, which is different than regular Spanish (especially slang – ex. cachai? “do you understand?”). Also spoken in Santi are English and German. Chile is the world’s second-longest country (north-to-south – 2,670 miles) behind Brazil, while spanning just 217 miles (max. east-to-west). Santiago accounts for about half of the country’s economy. Characterized by a semi-arid climate (Mediterranean patterns) Santiago experiences hot / warm weather throughout the year. High summer temperatures average in the 90s °F while winters stay in the 50s. Snowfall is rare apart from the mountaintops.
Additional points of interest: Gran Torre Costanera (skyscraper), Torre Entel (TV tower), Titanium La Portada (skyscraper), Barrio Bellavista (skyscraper), Edificio Ariztía (downtown building), Paseo Ahumada (downtown retail street), Sanhattan (financial district), Santa Lucía Hill, Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, Church of Santo Domingo, La Moneda Palace (presidential building), National Library of Chile, National Historical Museum, Contemporary Art Museum of Santiago, Central Post Office Building, Universidad de Chile
Santiago local foods: empanadas, pastel de choclo (corn casserole pie w/ meat stuffing), chacarero (steak sandwich), curanto (seafood, meat & vegetable stew), caldillo de congrio (fish stew), the “completo” (type of hot dog), alfajores (cookies), sopaipilla (fried dough)
Popular drinks: wine, pisco (brandy), piscola (Chile national drink – pisco, Coca-Cola), pisco sour (grape brandy, lime juice, sugar, egg whites), terremoto (fermented white wine, local brandy, pineapple ice cream, strong / sweet), borgoña (chilled red wine, strawberries, holiday drink), mote con huesillos (non-alcoholic peach drink)
With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Santiago accommodations that will help make for an outstanding experience.
Hotel Cumbres Lastarria
José Victorino Lastarria 299, Downtown Santiago
National Museum of Fine Arts | Museum of Visual Arts | Parque Forestal
Hotel amenities: restaurant, outdoor pool, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safety deposit boxes, luggage storage, meeting & laundry facilities
Nearby restaurants / bars: Chipe Libre (fine dining restaurant), Holy Moly (restaurant), Bocanáriz (Chilean restaurant), Papachecos Barrio Lastarria (restaurant), Buffalo Waffles (restaurant), Le Bistrot Viet (restaurant), The Singular Restaurant, Bajo Llave (restaurant), El Diablito (restaurant), PIZZABELLA (pizza restaurant), Hao Hwa Restaurant (Chinese restaurant), Red Pub (bar & grill), Liguria (bar), Bar Berri (bar)
Nearby misc.: Wonderland Café, Lastarria Café, Bloom Specialty Coffee (café), Santiago Wine Club (wine store), Brussels Heart of Chocolate (chocolate café), Emporio La Rosa (ice cream shop), Sakumu (tea house), Cine Arte El Biógrafo (movie theater), Teatro Ictus (performing arts theater), Galería Montegrande (art gallery), Palacio Bruna (palace), Plaza Mulato Gil de Castro (scenic spot)
Within feet:
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- National Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Visual Arts
- Parque Forestal
- Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre
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Within 1.3 miles:
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- San Cristobal Hill
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Within 2.1 miles:
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- Movistar Arena
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Within 54 miles:
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- Club Aéreo San Felipe
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Hotel Cumbres Lastarria is 11 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $179
Hotel Boutique Bidasoa
Avenida Vitacura 4873, Vitacura
Open Plaza Kennedy | Araucano Park
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, swimming pool, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, free parking
Nearby restaurants / bars: Restaurant Bidasoa, Casa Sanz (restaurant), The Crust (hamburger restaurant), Club Gordos Vitacura (bar & grill), El Honesto Mike – Vitacura (bar)
Nearby misc.: Dios Mio Café – Sound Space (espresso bar), Damien Mercier (chocolate shop)
Within feet:
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- Open Plaza Kennedy (shopping mall)
- Araucano Park
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Within 1.9 miles:
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- Sky Costanera
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Within 4 miles:
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- La Chascona Casa Museo
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Hotel Boutique Bidasoa is 12 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Junior Suite): $650
The Singular
Merced 294, Downtown Santiago
Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre | Plaza Baquedano
Hotel amenities: restaurant, breakfast, outdoor pool, city views, spa, wellness center, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, tour desk, luggage storage, meeting facilities
Also in the area: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria
Within feet:
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- Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre
- Plaza Baquedano (Plaza Italia)
- Museum of Visual Arts
- National Museum of Fine Arts
- Santa Lucia Hill
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Within 2.1 miles:
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- Santiago Cable Car
- Movistar Arena
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Within 2.2 miles:
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- Museo de la Memoria Santiago
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Within 5.9 miles:
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- Museo Interactivo Mirador
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The Singular Santiago is 11 miles from Santiago Airport.v
Approximate cost per night: $495
Orly Suites
Av. Pedro de Valdivia 200, Providencia
Vapiano
Suite amenities: terraces, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, laundry facilities
Also in the area: Solace Hotel Santiago
Within feet:
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- Vapiano (Italian restaurant)
- Costanera Center
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- Plaza Baquedano
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Within 2.4 miles:
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- Plaza de Armas
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Orly Suites is 19 minutes from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $87
Solace Hotel Santiago
Monseñor Sotero Sanz 115, Providencia
Providencia District | Hard Rock Cafe Santiago
Hotel amenities: restaurant, daily breakfast, seasonal outdoor pool, city views, terrace, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, 24-hour front desk, free private parking
Nearby restaurants / bars: Vapiano Pedro de Valdivia (Italian restaurant), La Pizza Nostra (Italian restaurant), Lomit’s (restaurant), La Mechada Nacional (restaurant), Zago’s Sushi & Wok (sushi restaurant), Zuca’s Pizzería (restaurant), El Huerto (vegetarian restaurant), Pipiolo (bar & grill), KrossBar Orrego Luco (bar)
Nearby misc.: Teatro Oriente (performing arts theater)
Within feet:
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- Providencia District
- Hard Rock Café Santiago
- Costanera Center
- Santiago Cable Car
- San Cristobal Hill
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- La Chascona
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Within 1.4 miles:
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- Patio Bellavista
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Within 1.9 miles:
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- Parque Bicentenario
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Within 2 miles:
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- Santa Lucia Hill
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Solace Hotel Santiago is 14 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night (King Suite): $239
Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo
Constitucion 195
La Chascona | Restaurant Viva La Vida | Ay Lupita | Santiago Metropolitan Park | Santa Lucia Hill
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, bathrobes, slippers, free parking
Nearby restaurants / bars / pubs: Jardín Mallinkrodt (bar & grill), Selvado (restaurant), Cachapas Maracay (restaurant), La Vermutería Bella (restaurant), Tukán Tropical Garden (restaurant), Güeros (Mexican restaurant), Chilean Brunch (Chilean restaurant), Casa Nómada (gastropub), Siete Negronis (bar), Arcade Bar, Anima (cocktail bar)
Nearby misc.: Club Chocolate (disco club), club57 (disco club – ), Terrazas San Cristóbal (food court), Camilo Mori Square (park), Teatro Mori Bellavista (performing arts theater), Teatro San Ginés (performing arts theater), Theater Tables (performing arts theater), Elite Bartender Chile (bartender school), Zona Latina (television studio)
Within feet:
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- La Chascona (museum)
- Restaurant Viva La Vida (Chilean restaurant)
- Ay Lupita (Mexican restaurant)
- Santiago Metropolitan Park (expansive urban park)
- Santa Lucia Hill (urban park / historical monument)
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Within 1 mile:
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- Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- University of Chile
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Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo is 21 minutes from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $139
Hostal Boutique Casa La Barca
Ricardo Matte Pérez 0366, Providencia
Plaza José Manuel Barros
Hostel amenities: terrace, garden, continental / buffet breakfast, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception
Nearby: Emporio Don Nicolás (restaurant), Ludum Bar (bar & grill), Cafe Vincent
Within feet:
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- Plaza José Manuel Barros
- Plaza Italia
- Baquedano Metro Station
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Within 1.3 miles:
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- Santa Lucia Hill
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Within 1.8 miles:
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- Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
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Within 30 miles:
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- Los Corrales Ski Lift
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Hostal Boutique Casa La Barca is 12 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $163
Hostal Sol y Luna
Comuna Pudahuél, Diagonal Norte 8908
Plaza Víctor Jara
Hostel amenities: restaurant, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, free private parking, shuttle service for an extra fee
Within feet:
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- Plaza Víctor Jara (park)
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- Plaza Unidad Vecinal
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Within 2.5 miles:
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- Parque Waldo Taff
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Within 5 miles:
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- Yungay Square
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Hostal Sol y Luna is 4 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $79
Hotel Casa Real
Camino Padre Hurtado 695
Viña Santa Rita
Hotel amenities: 2 restaurants, outdoor swimming pool, garden / pool views, fitness center, neoclassical style, wine activities / tastings, free parking
Nearby: Doña Paula Restaurant, Empanadas Belén (restaurant), Viña Santa Catalina (vineyard), Bodega 120 patriotas (wine store), La Panaderia (café), Almacen “Rikitin” (grocery store), Museo Andino (museum)
Within feet:
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- Viña Santa Rita (vineyard)
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Within 5 miles:
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- Buin Zoo
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Within 8 miles:
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- Lomas de San Vicente
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Within 9 miles:
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- Plaza El Bosque
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Within 10 miles:
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- Plaza San Vicente
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Hotel Casa Real – Viña Santa Rita is 31 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $911
Hotel Boutique Le Reve
Orrego Luco 023 , Providencia
Costanera Center | Santiago Cable Car
Hotel amenities: terraces, seasonal French-inspired courtyard under fruit trees, stylish décor, upholstered chairs, rich burgundy fabrics, delicate watercolors, cream-colored carpeted floors, elegant wall moldings, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, complimentary snacks, continental breakfast, currency exchange, ATM, babysitting services, private parking, private entrances, airport shuttle service
Also in the area: Solace Hotel Santiago
Within feet:
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- Costanera Center
- Santiago Cable Car
- Hard Rock Café Santiago
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Within 1 mile:
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- San Cristobal Hill
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Within 1.4 miles:
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- La Chascona
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Within 1.5 miles:
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- Patio Bellavista
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Hotel Boutique Le Reve is 14 miles from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $234
Nest Paris-Londres
50 Londres
Barrio París-Londres | University of Chile
Hotel amenities: rooftop terrace, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, kitchenettes, concierge services, luggage storage
Nearby: R3 Coffee Londres (espresso bar)
Within feet:
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- Barrio París-Londres (picturesque neighborhood – cobblestone streets)
- University of Chile
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Nest Paris-Londres is 22 minutes from Santiago Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Deluxe Apartment): $149
Cost per person (four people): $37
So there they are, Santiago accommodations that will help make for a memorable experience. We hope you have found this information valuable and most importantly, that you enjoy your time in Chile!