Santiago - where to stay? 6 of us...
 

Hello, my husband and I, his parents, and another couple are traveling to Santiago and Argentina for a weeks stay... any recommended stays (hotels, B&B's)..we would like to stay in the heart of Santiago...also top picks/resources of what to do are really welcomed... in advance, thank you!
Mare

In Santiago, you probably would prefer to stay in the vicinity of Providencia rather than near the Plaza de Armas downtown.

Hotel Orly seems to be the Fodors favorite but is often full if not booked far in advance.

I stayed at the Best Western Los Españoles which was very easy to book online, gives a senior discount, and is in a quieter neighborhood. The rooms are all different sizes, unlike a corporate hotel. It's an easy walk across the river to Providencia and the subway. It's a moderate walk (less than an hour) or short taxi to Bellavista.

There's also quite a nice restaurant onsite if you don't feel like venturing out, and friendly English speaking staff. I would definitely return.

Be sure to take a tour of La Chascona. Book in advance when you arrive.

Only caution about Los Españoles is that they charge too much for the taxi from the airport...book your own!

Lots of reviews on Tripadvisor.

We stayed at Hotel Orly when we were there a month ago. It was fine--in a good area with good service. They even let us leave luggage there while we did an overnight to Valparaiso. They will arrange for a taxi from the airport--but you might want to confirm this at the last minute, because they didn't show up for us, which began the series of events detailed in my "Warning--Santiago Airport Taxis" posting. Also--check to see if their elevator is now working, because it was disabled from the earthquake while we were there, and we had to do quite a bit of stair-climbing.

The Santiago Park Plaza gave us a very good rate. Good location in Providencia and included a terrific breakfast.

With all the reported cancellations in Chile, this might be your chance to stay at Hotel Orly.

I'm pretty sure that Best Western Españoles also does not have an elevator, but it isn't a very tall building. I was on the ground floor because the staff didn't feel like carrying my luggage upstairs..but I think the upstairs rooms are probably nicer.

I loved the Santiago Park Plaza, we stayed there two weeks ago. I can give you our contact with reservations if you need it.

The aparthotel is a better choice than the hotel, but both are in great location, just step from the metro and everything.
Don't stay in downtown as it's a nightmare, Providencia is the best!

Hotel Orly as I believe it's not fully functional as they got damaged facilities on the earthquake, at least that is what they told me 3 weeks ago.

BTW the parkplaza.cl has the aparthotel a block from the main hotel. The superior have 2 bedrooms, kitchenette, living $120, the Standard, one bedroom, living, kitchenette $80.