My husband and I are going to Santiago-Chile next March (just a couple of days). What is the nicest area to stay? What are the things we must see and do on our first visit? Tips on good restaurants are welcome.

These are some of the "must see" things that we really enjoyed: Museo Chileno de Arte Precolumbino, Catedral Metropolitana, Mercado Central (great place for fresh off the boat fish), Cerro Santa Lucia (walk all the way to the top, great views of city when the smog is gone and a nice flea market across with great buys on lapiz and alpaca) Parque Metropolitano (skip it if the weather is cloudy or too much smog). Join a tour of the town.We stayed at the Sheraton. Typical Sheraton.

I stayed in the Park Plaza in a nice area where you can walk to pubs. We rented a car to give us a tour which was a good way to go. There is a 4 points near the plaza if the Plaza costs too much. We went to an Artisans market that was nice.

We just arrived back from Santiago yesterday. Based on a recommendation, I think on this board, we stayed two nights at the Hotel Orly. <BR>It was reasonably priced (about $85US) including an excellent breakfast. It is a small hotel and the elevator only goes to the first floor. We were on the second floor (top). However, the beautiful spiral staircase was well worth the walk.<BR>It was exceptionally clean and well appointed and the staff were very helpful. It is in Providentia (I think that is right as I am writing from memory). One block from the Subway and in a very nice area.<BR>We would recommend it as an alternative to the big hotels but it wouldn't be for everybody.

My wife and I overnighted in Santiago about a year ago. Stayed at the Hyatt Regency, in one of the nicest rooms we've ever been in. One of the best restaurants in the city - based on recommendation and experience - is Aqui Esta Coco. Any taxi driver or hotel doorman can direct you.<BR>Enjoy!

I agree with John - Hotel Orly is very well located and makes a nice change from big impersonal hotels. We've stayed there when we've been in Santiago. You can see more information about the hotel, with photos, at www.i-escape.com