hoferbrady

We will be coming into Santiago for two nights Feb 1 - 3 and leaving on the 3rd for a cruise. We are planning on spending two nights (Sunday and Monday in Santiago). There are SO many hotels. We are looking in the $100 - $150 range. Any suggestions? (We love historical areas and interesting neighborhoods).

Also, what must we NOT miss on Monday?

Finally, as we'll be leaving 9:00 p.m. departure for the cruise ship, we have a full day on Tuesday to tour. I assume we should consider the coastal area. Any thoughts?

Thanks Fodorites. I appreciate your help.

Huentetu

See if there is room at the Hotel Orly. A lot of people give it favourable reviews. Or can you give a short list of hotels which looked interesting to you? On the whole it is better to stay in Providencia or Las Condes and use the metro to go downtown.
Unfortunately all museums are closed on Monday so it isn't the best day for you to sightsee. They are open, and free, on Sundays, so if there is one you particularly want to visit do it then.

mlgb

I was doing the same research. Although my trip is a month early.

I did not get any response to an email inquiry to Hotel Orly, and I gather they are difficult to book.

I finally gave up and booked through the US website for Best Western for the Los Espanoles.

Seemed to have reasonably good reviews on Tripadvisor.

I also ran across Casa Newen, which is in Providencia and looks great on their website and also has good TA reviews.

www.casanewen.com

tower

Hofer and mlg:

I assume you folks know that it's about 130-140 mile roundtrip from Santiago to the port at Valparaiso...so if you want to take Tuesday to visit the beaches, suggest you leave Santiago with enough time to store your luggage somewhere, see Vina del Mar and adjoining Valpo..then board your ship in the evening...otherwise you'll be riding a bus, a tax or rental car for about 200 miles that day. Not good.

Anyway, you'll find Santiago enjoyable, as well as Valpo and Vina del Mar.

You may want to take in a Chilean folkloric show and dinner at
"Los Adobe de Argomedo" on Monday night...somewhat hokie but colorful and fun.

During the day, aside from the famed Moneda (Palace), Parque Forestal, upscale Bella Vista ("Christoforo's" nice restaurant), Providencia and Condes, you may want to taxi it to the replica Chilean village on the outskirts of town for an hour or so..."Los Graneros de Alba"...some good photo ops. For dinner, The "Acqui esta Coco" sea food resto is in a small house in Providencia...excellent.

Have a great trip.

stu t.

mlgb

I'm not taking any side trips, just Santiago City.

But I do have a question, how is the seafood restaurant in the center of the Market? I've seen a bad report on the quality. Is it just for visiting to look and not to eat?

tower

mlgb:

The central market is very large under a very high roof..exceptionally colorful with ultr friendsly vendors...I don't recall the seafood r=esti within, but we liked the above-mentioned Acqui esta Coco house on a residential street in Providencia...quite reasonable when we last visited three years ago.

stu t.

Huentetu

The central area of the Mercado Central has pretty much been taken over by two huge restaurants. They attract a lot of tourists but, for what you get, I think they are overpriced. There are smaller restaurants on the outer rim of the market which are better value with better food I think. Sadly, Aqui Esta Coco burned down and has not yet been rebuilt.

tower

so sorry to hear abut the Acqui esta Coco.....truly a unique little place..

stu t.

palatania

HOLA!
Even though in the Mercado Central they can charge you a little bit more that what they should (as every tourist oriented place in the world), I'm sure you are going to enjoy it. It's a great place to go. If you'd like some fish, I would definately recommend you a congrio frito with ensalada chilena (tomato and onion).
Also, if you have some time, go to the Lastarria - Parque Forestal - Merced street neighborhood. Amazing buidings, good restaurants...it would be a nice walk in the afternoon, totally different to Las Condes and Providencia. A classic and my favorite place to go with friends! To get there, you can go by metro (line 1) Universidad Católica station. Really easy.
Good luck! Enjoy it!

mlgb

I definitely love fish (no mussels) so any other casual places you can recommend not too far from Metro stops.

Fodors lists Europeo in Vitacura, Isla Negra in Las Condes, and Azul Profundo in Bella Vista.

Thanks!