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Where to Stay in Santiago, Chile
Are you wondering where to stay in Santiago, Chile?
After spending time traveling in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, I was shocked by how different everything felt when I flew to Santiago, Chile. Parts of the city felt European (which is by design) and it felt quieter and more orderly than what I had come to expect from a South American capital city.
Santiago is a modern metropolis. Seeing as Chile is one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America, a lot of this wealth is reflected in the modern glass towers of the skyline, including the tallest building in South America, Gran Torre Santiago. Santiago is also the most expensive place I’ve been in South America.
However, it’s still a really cool city. Here are some of the best things to do in Santiago:
- Visit Sky Costanera, the observation deck on the 62nd floor of the Gran Torre Santiago, which offers spectacular views of the city and the Andes Mountains surrounding it
- Take a ride on the Teleférico, a cable car that goes across the Santiago Metropolitan Park offering spectacular views (be sure to buy a ticket that includes a ride on the historic funicular too!)
- Stroll through the art galleries and flea markets of the trendy, compact Lastarria neighborhood
- See Pre-Columbian art from all around the Americas at the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (this museum was a real highlight for me and a must-visit in Santiago)
- Walk to the top of Santa Lucia Hill for great views of the city and mountains
- Visit the Memory and Human Rights Museum, which is dedicated to the victims of the human rights violations that occurred during Chile’s Pinochet dictatorship
- Check out two free art museums: the National Museum of Fine Arts and the MAC
- Take a day trip to Portillo, a popular ski resort in the Andes two hours from Santiago
Best Places to Stay in Santiago
Santiago is a large city but I found it easy to get around. There’s a subway system that’s easy to use, and I found Uber to be really affordable even though other things in Santiago were expensive.
Is Santiago a walkable city? Since Santiago is so large, it’s not all walkable. The city center area of Plaza de Armas/Bellavista/Lastarria is walkable. However, the more modern business/financial district is further away. However, there’s a nice walking path that runs along the river all through the city.
What part of Santiago, Chile is best to stay in? These are the best neighborhoods for tourists:
- Bellavista: Centrally located Bellavista is a hub for dining and nightlife in Santiago
- Lastarria: This trendy and lively neighborhood is not too far from Plaza de Armas and you’ll find lots of local artists, cool restaurants, boutiques, and flea markets here
- Plaza de Armas: Historic heart of Santiago close to many tourist attractions
- Barrio Suecia: This neighborhood is on the edge of the glitzy financial hub of Santiago, where you’ll find upscale hotels, lots of restaurants, and the Costanera Center complex
I stayed in Barrio Suecia, and while I liked the location, I found it to be a bit too far from the city center. If I were to visit Santiago again, I would probably stay in Bellavista or Lastarria instead.
What is the safest part of Santiago? All of the neighborhoods mentioned above are safe for tourists. The city center and eastern side of the city and considered safer than the western side.
Here are my top four picks for where to stay in Santiago, Chile:
- Best luxury hotel: Mandarin Oriental, Santiago
- Best mid-range hotel: Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes
- Best budget hotel: The PopCity Hotel
- Best hostel: Hostel Boutique Merced 88
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels and hostels in Santiago.
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Best Luxury Hotels
Hotel Cumbres Lastarria
Hotel Cumbres Lastarria is one of the best luxury hotels in Santiago if you want to be right in the heart of the city center. This stylish hotel is located in the midst of the vibrant Lastarria neighborhood.
This hotel offers a number of amenities in addition to its prime location. Guests will enjoy a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness center, and a complimentary breakfast each morning during their stay.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
NH Collection Plaza Santiago
NH Collection Plaza Santiago is located in the Barrio Suecia/Las Condes area of the city, among modern high-rise towers, office buildings, and luxury hotels. This hotel is adjacent to the Costanera Center, a giant shopping mall where you’ll find Sky Costanera, the highest observation deck in South America.
The hotel exemplifies five-star luxury, from the tastefully-decorated guest rooms to the amenities available, which include an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a spa with treatments available.
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Hotel Magnolia Santiago
Hotel Magnolia is another great boutique luxury hotel in Santiago’s city center. This hotel is located in the Lastarria neighborhood, within walking distance of great restaurants, bars, and attractions.
It’s also close to museums, art galleries, and shops, making this a perfect location. The hotel is stylish and design-forward, and guests will enjoy amenities like a fitness center and free breakfast. Some rooms have private balconies, and the hotel also offers a rooftop terrace with a restaurant.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Mandarin Oriental, Santiago
One of the most elegant luxury hotels in Santiago is the Mandarin Oriental. This five-star hotel is a tranquil oasis in the city. It’s located further outside the city center in the upscale Las Condes neighborhood.
However, this is a great place to stay if you’re looking for unparalleled luxury. Highlights include opulent guest rooms and a massive outdoor swimming pool and lush landscaped gardens for guests to enjoy.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Best Mid-Range Hotels
Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes
Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes is a stylish mid-range hotel that is located in the trendy Bellas Artes area close to Lastarria and Bellavista. This is the perfect place to base yourself in Santiago.
The hotel is located just steps away from some of the best art museums in Santiago, as well as the lively Lastarria neighborhood. Free breakfast is included each morning during your stay here.
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Hotel Pasko
Hotel Pasko is another good mid-range hotel in Santiago. It’s located slightly outside the hustle and bustle of Lastarria and Bellavista, yet still within easy walking distance of these neighborhoods. It’s also just a short walk away from the historic Plaza de Armas and the many tourist attractions nearby.
This hotel offers comfortable, simple guest rooms in a convenient location in the heart of Santiago. A complimentary breakfast is also included each morning during your stay at this hotel.
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Casa Bellavista Hotel
Another great place to stay in Santiago is Casa Bellavista Hotel. It’s located in the vibrant Bellavista neighborhood, but in a quieter, more residential section making this a tranquil place to stay.
The modern, bright hotel offers stylish and comfortable guest rooms and a relaxing rooftop terrace. Free breakfast is served in the airy hotel restaurant each morning during your stay at Casa Bellavista Hotel.
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Best Budget Hotels
The PopCity Hotel
Santiago can be an expensive city, especially when compared to the rest of South America, but the PopCity Hotel is a great place to stay on a budget. This hotel is in Barrio Suecia, and while it’s located a little further away from most of the city’s main attractions, you can easily get around via public transportation.
If you’re on a budget, this affordable hotel offers a modern and clean place to stay without breaking the bank, making it an ideal place to base yourself for the duration of your trip to Santiago.
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Novapark
Another budget-friendly hotel in Santiago is Novapark. This hotel is located a little south of the historic heart of the city, within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas and Lastarria neighborhoods.
If you’re looking for a clean, modern place to stay, Novapark is a good bet. Another benefit of staying at this hotel is the complimentary breakfast offered each morning during your stay.
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Park Plaza Apart Hotel
Finally, another great budget hotel in Santiago is Park Plaza Apart Hotel. This hotel is just a short walk from trendy Lastarria and the Bellas Artes area, making it a great place to base yourself in Santiago.
This is a good place to stay if you’re looking for more space and apartment-style amenities while sticking to a budget. The rooms at this hotel include separate living areas and full kitchens.
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Best Hostels
Hostel Boutique Merced 88
Hostel Boutique Merced 88 is one of the top-rated hostels in Santiago. You cannot beat the location, which is right in the heart of it all in the center of Lastarria, close to Plaza de Armas and Bellavista.
This hostel offers dorm rooms and private rooms. Some private rooms have a balcony. Complimentary breakfast is included, and there’s a coworking space and a rooftop terrace for guests to enjoy.
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Hostal Forestal
Hostal Forestal is another good option if you are looking for affordable hostels in Santiago. This hostel is located in Lastarria, just a few steps away from trendy restaurants, bars, art galleries, and shops.
You can choose between dorm rooms and private rooms with shared or private bathrooms at this hostel. Free breakfast is included, and there is a common kitchen and lounge area for guests.
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Hostal Providencia
Finally, Hostal Providencia is a great place to stay on a budget in Santiago. This hostel has a good location that is just a short walk away from the vibrant Bellavista and Lastarria neighborhoods.
This colorful, homey hostel offers a mixture of dorm rooms and private rooms with shared or private bathrooms. There’s also a shared kitchen, an outdoor terrace, and a lounge space for guests.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Where to Stay in Santiago
This guide showed you where to stay in Santiago, Chile.
To recap, my top four picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury hotel: Mandarin Oriental, Santiago
- Best mid-range hotel: Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes
- Best budget hotel: The PopCity Hotel
- Best hostel: Hostel Boutique Merced 88
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Santiago!