Santiago Travel Guide

The range and variety of hotels in Santiago has grown considerably in the last few years, but the main hotel sector continues to be the city center. There are many hotels worth checking out in the area of Avenida del Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, or the Alameda.

Making your way down from the Plaza Italia, a hotspot for political and sports events, you will soon come to one of the most luxurious hotels in Santiago, the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This hotel was recently remodeled and now has the most modern facilities to offer its guests.

If you keep going in the same direction, towards the main building of the Universidad Católica de Chile, you will soon find yourself at José Victorino Lastarria Street. At the end of this street, on the corner of Merced Street, is the Hotel del Parque, a small hotel that is perfectly located just a few steps away from the Parque Forestal and the Barrio Bellavista area. This area, one of the city's main centers for bars, restaurants and discotheques, always has something to offer, whatever your tastes and preferences.

Following Alameda until you arrive at Cerro Santa Lucía, you will find the Hotel Montecarlo, located on Victoria Subercaseaux. Further along, on the corner of Merced, is the Hotel Foresta. Both of these hotels offer guests magnificent views of the hill and surrounding areas.

Two blocks further along the Alameda, on the north side of Miraflores street, is the Hotel Riviera, located very near the National Archives and the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library). The hotel is interesting both for its interior and architecture, and has been declared a national monument.

Continuing down Alameda, located next to the beautiful church of Iglesia de San Francisco, and a few steps away from the underground station of the Universidad de Chile, is another of the most exclusive hotels in Santiago, Hotel Plaza San Francisco. This hotel belongs to a somewhat more modern range of hotels and offers the latest equipment and facilities. It also features regular and changing exhibitions in the hotel galleries. The hotel itself couldn't be better placed; it is a perfect location to begin a walk down Paris and Londres streets in an area that has a definite European feel.

Opposite the Iglesia de San Francisco is the Hotel Libertador. This is a large hotel, although it has a slightly older façade than the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. A block away from the church is Serrano Street, and on the intersection of Serrano and Paris streets is the Hotel Fundador, a truly beautiful and elegant hotel that is located in a very quiet and peaceful area.

The last hotel stop along the Alameda is near the Palacio de La Moneda, now the government headquarters.

If you go down Teatrinos Street, on the west side of the palace, you will come to the Hotel Panamericano, on the corner of Huérfanos street. This is also one of the most traditional and popular hotels in Santiago.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 102