If you need to know where to stay in Santiago, we’ve got great news for you. We have friends in the city and visit at least once a year. Thus, we are sure we will be able to help you find the best hotels in Santiago.
The Chilean capital is a fairly big city with very distinct neighborhoods. However, most of its attractions are not that far from each other. That said, you need to be well connected to the entire city and in a safe neighborhood.
The following is a list of the best neighborhoods in Santiago. As you will notice, all are pedestrian friendly. One of the things we love the most about the city is that you can walk. It’s the best way to move around and experience Santiago.
Centro (around Plaza de Armas)
The Center is our favorite place to stay. In particular, the area around the Plaza de Armas, which is the city’s main square. It’s a safe area with all types of services, including restaurants and bars.
You can walk all around the old town and to other nearby neighborhoods. Buses connect the center to the entire city. Metro lines 3 and 5 stop at Station Plaza de Armas and you have other stations within walking distance.
The Cathedral, Post Office and the Royal Court Palace are on the plaza. You will see street performers and local vendors. The historic Central Market is in the center. Both the Justice Courts Palace and the former Congress Building are a block from the plaza.
We Recommend These Hotels around Plaza de Armas:
Hotel Magnolia Santiago
The best hotel in the center is Hotel Magnolia. It’s a 1929 mansion with modern day conveniences. It’s got a fantastic rooftop restaurant with awesome views and a spa. The rooms are big and feature plush beds and wooden floors.
Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes
The other grand hotel in the center is the Altiplanico Bellas Artes. The massive 1909 mansion is a couple of blocks from the main square and next to Lastarria. It’s got a lovely garden. We love the complimentary tea and coffee served throughout the day.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Lastarria
Lastarria is the best area to stay if you like a bohemian yet posh vibe. The neighborhood is east of the main square. It’s a quiet neighborhood with cobbled streets and leafy streets. It’s pretty safe.
You can walk to the center and other neighborhoods in no time. Line 1 Metro station Universidad Católica and Line 3 metro Station Bellas Artes are here. Some of the best restaurants, bars, and wine shops in Santiago are in Lastarria.
Its main drag is Jose Lastarria. You have to visit the Fine Arts Museum and the city’s best cultural center: Gabriela Mistral. The splendid Santa Lucia Hill is in Lastarria. Go up to the fort and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the mountains.
We Recommend These Hotels in Lastarria:
The Singular Santiago
The Singular is one of the best luxury hotels in the city. It’s got a fantastic rooftop pool with jaw dropping views of the hill, the center, and beyond. Everything is luxurious at the Singular. The complimentary breakfast is delicious.
Hotel Cumbres Lastarria
Considering its class and location, the Hotel Cumbres Lastarria is great value for money. The 5 star property is in the heart of Lastarria and has a fantastic rooftop pool. The complimentary breakfast is served on the terrace with unforgettable views of the Andes.
Bellavista
Bellavista is the hip neighborhood northeast of the center. You have to cross the Mapocho River to get there. If you like to party, stay in Bellavista. That said, the side streets in Bellavista are very quiet.
Metro line 2 Patronato Station is in Bellavista. The other metro station is Bellas Artes, some 10 minutes across the river. There are buses that take your everywhere and you can walk to the center and Lastarria in no time.
Bellavista is famous for its restaurants, bars, and clubs. We always stop for a bite in Patio Bellavista. La Chascona, Pablo Neruda’s former house, is in Bellavista. It’s beneath the city’s biggest green area: San Cristobal Hill and the Metropolitan Park.
We Recommend These Hotels in Bellavista:
Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo
The best hotel in Bellavista is Castillo Rojo Hotel. The 1923 townhouse is one block from Neruda’s House, La Chascona, beneath San Cristobal Hill. It’s got a garden and a terrace. The rooms have wooden floors and beams.
Casa Bellavista Hotel
You won’t get better accommodation in the heart of Bellavista and Santiago than at Casa Bellavista Hotel. It’s on a quiet street. The rooms are plush and the service impeccable. It’s got a patio and terrace.
Barrio Italia
Barrio Italia is one of the best options if you want an authentic experience. We love it because there are no tall towers here. It’s a low rise area, with traditional houses and trees.
Barrio Italia is pretty safe. You can walk to Lastarria and the Center in some 30 minutes. Line 5 Metro station Santa Isabel is in the neighborhood. It connects you to the other lines so you can reach the entire city.
Barrio Italia is famous in Santiago for its restaurants with tables on the streets. Wine shops and bars line Santa Lucia Street. We usually hang around Bustamante Park. Locals visit the park to socialize and exercise. We love its literary coffee house.
We Recommend These Hotels in Barrio Italia:
Maison Italia 1029
Maison Italia 1029 is on a quiet street in the heart of Barrio Italia. The 100 year old building has a sleek modern section. Art galleries occupy the ground floor, the rooms are on the 1st floor, and a fantastic rooftop terrace on top. Book a suite and you will never want to leave.
Hostal Vitalia
If you are looking for inexpensive accommodation in Santiago, book a room at Hostal Vitalia. It’s got comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and a cute terrace to rest. Since it’s also a hostel, the vibe is cool and relaxed.
Providencia
Providencia is an upscale neighborhood east of the center. It’s famous for its tall towers. In fact, locals call the area Sanhattan, due to its contemporary skyline. Tall office buildings, residential towers, and shopping malls populate Providencia.
You can walk to Bellavista, Lastarria and the center in an hour. Providencia is served by Metro Line 1. It stops in Pedro de Valdivia, Manuel Montt, and Los Leones stations and connects you to the entire city. Providencia is safe and quiet.
The tallest building in Latin America is Costanera Center, on top of a giant mall. The views from there are epic. Gran Torre Santiago also has a fantastic viewing platform. We love eating with friends on leafy Isidora Goyeneche Street.
We Recommend These Hotels in Providencia:
Solace Hotel Santiago
We’ve stayed several times at the Solace Hotel Santiago and loved it. It’s a contemporary tower one block from the metro. The rooms are big and comfortable. It’s got a fantastic rooftop pool with views. The staff is great!
Almasur Providencia
If you are travelling with friends or family book a room or apartment at the Almasur Providencia. The contemporary tower is in the center of Providencia. It’s got a pool, free parking, and a terrace. All of the rooms have coffee machines.
Las Condes and Vitacura
The rich and famous live in Las Condes and Vitacura. Las Condes is east of Providencia, Vitacura is to the north, beneath the hills. Tall towers and shopping malls populate Las Condes. Vitacura is full of big mansions.
You can walk to Providencia in less than half an hour. Metro line 1 stops in Las Condes, at El Golf and Alcantara Stations. Both neighborhoods are safe. Some of the best 5 star hotels in Santiago are here.
Both neighborhoods are famous for its posh restaurants and rooftop bars. The nicest park is Bicentenario. It’s a big park with a lake, walking trails, and memorable views. Two of Santiago’s biggest malls are here: Parque Arauco and Alto Las Condes.
We Recommend These Hotels in Las Condes and Vitacura:
ICON Hotel Las Condes
The ICON Hotel Las Condes is a tall tower one block from the metro. The views from the rooftop pool and bar over the Andes will take your breath away. It has a spa with a heated indoor pool.
Hotel Eco Boutique Bidasoa
Our favorite hotel in Vitacura is the Eco Boutique Bidasoa. It’s got splendid gardens with a pool and lounges. The rooms are extra big and feature wooden floors. They have bicycles! Parking is free and the complimentary breakfast is superb.
Barrio Brasil and Yungay
The best neighborhood to stay if you want to experience Chile is Barrio Brasil. It’s a tiny neighborhood next to the center, to the west. Yungay is adjacent. We love both because there are hardly any tourists.
You can walk to the center in fifteen minutes. Lastarria is some 30 minutes away. Metro Line 5 stops in Cumming station. Line 5 and Line 2 stop in Santa Ana Station. Line 1 stops in Republica. Both Brasil and Yungay are safe.
Locals hang around Brasil square. It’s a park with lively markets. Parque Quinta Normal is in Yungay. There are four museums here: Violeta Parra Museum, Rail Museum, Science and Technology Museum, and the impressive Museum of Memory and Human Rights.
We Recommend These Hotels in Barrio Brasil and Yungay:
Matildas Hotel Boutique
The Matildas Hotel Boutique is a grand mansion from 1912. It’s an old charm hotel with clean comfortable rooms. We love its library and the quiet gardens with tall trees. The staff is fantastic and very helpful.
Hotel Casa Aure
You won’t get a better deal than at the Hotel Casa Aure. The historic building is within walking distance to Quinta Normal Park and the metro. The rooms are clean and have everything you need.
How Long to Stay in Santiago
With so many things to do and see you are probably wondering how many days are needed in Santiago to cover the basics. We believe you should spend at least 2 days in Santiago.
You will have to rush a bit, but you will get to experience one of the best cities in South America. That said, spend a week in the city if you can. Santiago is worth it. Plus, you will have enough time to go to nearby places.
We strongly recommend going to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Both cities are next to each other and face the Pacific Ocean. The historic center in Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viña del Mar is the premier beach resort in Chile.
