HotelChatter

Getting there is relatively simple, with several American carriers, as well as the ultra-reliable LAN Chile flying directly to and from U.S. hubs like New York, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles. Once you get out of the airport, a taxi will cost you about $25 to get into the city center.

The first challenge in planning a solo trip to Santiago was planning which neighborhood to stay in. There are the more upscale Las Condes and Providencia, the crazy Centro, and various other barrios. I chose to stay in Bellavista, a bohemian little neighborhood in the heart of the city and within walking distance to most of the tourist sites, but far enough away that the area doesn’t feel overrun by European backpackers. The neighborhood was home to Pablo Neruda and much of Chile’s artistic community, and now finds some of the best restaurants and bars in town scattered along its narrow, winding streets. It’s kind of like the Montmartre of Santiago

Now that I’d narrowed my parameters, it was time to find a hotel, but this was a whole new challenge. Lodging options in Santiago can be a bit dowdy, especially if you’re traveling on a tight budget. Sure, the Ritz-Carlton in Santiago is lovely and the most affordable one in the world, but it’s still hundreds of dollars a night, even if the exchange rate is hovering at about 600 Chilean pesos to the dollar.

Located right on Calle Pio Nono (the main drag of Bellavista), the ten-room Hotel Del Patio is a hip, boutique alternative to Santiago’s larger hotel chains. I only came across it after a long, exhaustive search of affordable hotel options that shot me to one drab budget hostel after another. Things are easier these days now that the hotel has a web site, so you can take a look at the beautiful little place for yourself.

The Hotel Del Patio is part of a new urban development called the Patio de Bellavista (hence the hotel’s name), which contains shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Yes, it feels a little corporate and sanitized, but it’s still nice to have some dining options so close, and you will have plenty of time to find authentic Chilean experiences.

Located on the second floor of a former mansion, the hotel’s huge windows overlook the Patio, and the décor is all sleek lines, modern fixtures and rooms decorated in bright primary colors. Each of the ten guest rooms comes with a flat-screen television and satellite channels, so you can catch up on your BBC and CNN International. The guest rooms are cozy by American standards, but thanks to sparse furnishings and high ceilings, they never feel cramped, and the bathrooms are delightfully large.

The rates for the different room categories from a snug single to a spacious triple run from $100-$180 a night—they have risen since my stay a year ago—but since foreigners are not subject to the 19% Value Added Tax (IVA), you can try to negotiate your rate (within reason) when you contact the hotel.

One of the best amenities of the Hotel Del Patio is its breakfast spread, which comes with your nightly rate and includes coffee, juice, cereal, yogurt, fruit, cold cuts and eggs to order. It’s a veritable feast compared to most continental breakfast options. The hotel also sets itself apart from other options with free WiFi access throughout the hotel, laundry service, concierge services like arranging winery tours and outdoor activities, as well as a lovely patio where you can enjoy a glass of wine while drinking in the panorama of the Andes.

The hotel could use a few more modern conveniences like air conditioning, but the rooms are equipped with fans that keep the midday heat at bay. The neighborhood can also get rather noisy, but usually calms down by late at night, not that you’ll be rolling in from the bars and clubs till nearly dawn!

At first glance, Santiago might not seem like a top destination for international travel, but the city has a lot to offer, and the boutique B&B Hotel del Patio is a welcome addition to the accommodation options.