The Aubrey
Situated in the boho barrio of Bellavista, the Aubrey (dating from 1927), is Santiago's first real boutique hotel.
The recently renovated building has 15 beautifully appointed en-suite rooms, each individually decorated to add to the unique atmosphere of the hotel. Many of the rooms have a balcony, private patio or original parquet flooring and there are different room categories ranging from cosy loft rooms to spacious suites.
The attractive landscaped gardens feature a heated Jacuzzi swimming pool and during much of the year guests can enjoy al fresco dining on the patio. There is an excellent Italian restaurant, Pasta e Vino, as well as a lovely bar in the pavilion at the foot of the 2,800ft Cerro San Cristobal, the second highest peak in Santiago, and a fantastic vantage point for views of the city.
Back in the hotel, there are two turrets, one of which has been converted into a massage room, with the other housing a DJ booth if guests want to party. Bicycles are available for nipping around Bellavista or exploring the nearby Parque Metropolitano, Santiago's equivalent of Hyde or Central Park.
Why We Love It
The hotel was once the home of famous Chilean politician and businessman Domingo Durán.
Casa Higueras
Housed in a converted 1920's mansion, Casa Higueras is a stylish yet comfortable boutique hotel, and the first boutique hotel to open in the UNESCO World Heritage town.
Perched on the hillside of Cerro Concepción, this hotel is one of our favourites in Chile. The location allows for outstanding views of Valparaiso bay and the Cordillera and Concepcion Hills.
The rooms feature lots of dark wood flooring and panelling, complimented by minimal, yet well-placed, designer furniture. The hotel aims to combine modern touches with the warmth and charm of the past, and the result is a nostalgic comfort that reflects the rhythm and character of Valparaíso.
The excellent restaurant specializes in seafood and has a very good selection of Chilean wines on offer. There is also a swimming pool and fantastic spa at garden level, complete with sauna and an open air Jacuzzi.
Why We Love It
The majority of the guestrooms have individual terraces, with views of Valparaiso bay and the Cordillera and Concepcion hills.
Lapostolle Residence
Nestled into the forested hills of the Colchagua Valley, the exclusive Lapostolle Residence Winery & Lodge, run by the Marnier-Lapostolle family, is located 3 hours south of Santiago.
The private casitas are set among the vines above the Guest House, each benefit from a terrace from which to enjoy the extraordinary views of the 450 acres vineyard and the surrounding mountains. The living and dining rooms, as well as the tasting room, are located in the main Guest House and the lodge is able to arrange a variety of activities ranging from horseback rides through the vineyard accompanied by a Chilean 'huaso' to countryside picnics and wine tasting under the vines. The heated swimming pool offers the perfect environment in which to relax after a day touring the winery.
Why We Love It
The castias are named after the different varieties of grape planted in the vineyard- Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Carmenere.
La Casona at Matetic Vineyard
Just over a hundred kilometers from Santiago, La Casona at Matetic Vineyard is a seven room, century-old guesthouse which is the perfect base from which to explore the biodynamic Matetic Vineyard.
The rooms are extremely cosy, with goose feather duvets and luxurious house bath products, and there is also a comfortable lounge, a restaurant and a modern swimming pool at the lodge.
The hotel's Equilibrio restaurant specialises in traditional and freshly sourced Chilean cuisine, perfectly designed to show off the estate's wines at their finest.
During the day, guests can visit the state of the art winery or hop on a bike and peddle though the vineyard.
Why We Love It
Governed by biodynamic principles, the estate wines are virtually pesticide free and you won't taste wine like it anywhere else in the world.
Casa Bueras Boutique Hotel
The central location in trendy Barrio Lastarria means guests are never far from the action, and just a stone's throw from many of the city's cultural attractions.
Having opened in early 2012, Casa Bueras Boutique Hotel is the latest hotspot to hit the Santiago scene.
The 14 bedrooms are divided between four categories and many have private terraces. All rooms are fairly modern in style, yet certain aspects of the hotel hark back to a bygone era such as the marble staircase and original oak flooring that have been beautifully restored. All are equipped with the latest technologies, such as Wi-Fi and digital safes, and two of the suites also interconnect - making them ideal for families.
Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool in the garden, a gym and a spa. There is also a bar serving light bites (be sure to bring your own wine - the restaurant is not yet in full working order and therefore they don't have a license).
Located in the heart of Santiago's most bohemian borough, the Casa Bueras is a boutique hotel surrounded by galleries, theatres, antique shops and the trendiest restaurants and bars. The hotel staff know all there is to know about the barrio and beyond, and can point guests in the right direction.
Why We Love It
The hotel offers a ski shuttle up in to the mountains.
Ritz Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton Santiago is located in the El Golf neighbourhood of the Chilean capital.
All rooms and suites are classically decorated and come with all modern amenities. Facilities within the hotel include a health & fitness centre, a gym, an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, a spa (offering a variety of different treatments and massages) and a sun deck on the roof terrace.
The hotel has an excellent restaurant serving Mediterranean-style cuisine and a bar specializing in martini cocktails. Altogether, the Ritz-Carlton makes an ideal place to recover from the long flight from Europe before embarking on your travels in Chile.
Why We Love It
A chance to make exercise enjoyable- with a gym on the 15th floor, benefitting from fantastic views of the city and the Andes Mountains with its floor-to-ceiling windows.
Vina Chile
Vina Chile is an avant-garde retreat and wine spa designed by the ever successful Alexander and Carrie Vik. This cutting edge contemporary cabin overlooks the vineyard below and offers guests a cultural wine experience amidst 11,000 acres of nature.
22 rooms make up the retreat and no two are alike. Each suite has its own quaint name, furniture handpicked by the Vik's themselves, art from both Chilean and International artists and great views out over the Falaris-Colchagua Valley's vineyards, mountains and lake.
Guests dine at the Milla Milla restaurant where the chef creates Chilean specialties using ingredients grown in the surrounding areas by local farmers. Facilities also include a living room to enjoy panoramic views of the valley, fitness centre, yoga room, swimming pool and wine spa.
After a spot of wine tasting and a tour of the vineyard there's an array of activities in and around the resort to enjoy including walking trails ranging in difficulty, bike riding, horse riding and bird watching. After, return back to the vineyard for another tipple and a spot of star gazing.
Why We Love It
The vineyard is aptly named 'Vina Vik Millahue' and, in the language of the local Mapuche people, 'Millahue' means 'the place of gold'. They were referring to actual gold, but we'd consider the wine being produced here to be liquid gold too.
Hotel Portillo
Portillo is unique because there is no actual town and only one hotel of note - Hotel Portillo.
In this regard, the Portillo skiing experience is unlike that of any other commercial ski resort, and much the better for it. Hotel Portillo has mixture of rooms, suites and apartments. Some have mountain views while the rest have a stunning view of the Inca Lake. The hotel's heated pool enjoys spectacular views of the mountain scenery.
Even better, there's little of the pre-skiing faff because everything is included in the price from lift passes to accommodation and all meals a day. You even get a reserved table in the dining room for the duration of your stay. And for skiers who like it as comfortable as possible, queues at the lifts are something of a rarity as well.
After a big day,why not relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi with its incredible mountain view, and if you're still a bit tight, a massage should have you ready to go again in no time.
Why We Love It
Sipping an despues-ski cold beer in the pool as the sun goes down behind the soaring Andes is an experience not to be forgotten in a hurry.
Palacio Astoreca
Sitting pretty on the crest of Monte Alegre, one of the many hills which make up the coastal town of Valparaiso, Palacio Astoreca is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion which is one of the best hotels in the region.
The brightly coloured building is home to 23 charming rooms, with views over the bay or the hills. The decor throughout the hotel is an intriguing mix of old and modern, where you'll find contemporary pieces of furniture and fun wallpaper alongside traditionally tiled bathrooms floors and a grand piano in the aptly named Piano Bar.
The excellent restaurant, Alegre, has a Chilean/Mediterranean fusion menu with the odd touch of molecular gastronomy, and has people flocking from far and wide to sample the delicious treats on the tasting menu.
With its unbeatable location in the heart of Cerro Alegre, there is lots to do nearby here. The famous Yugoslavo pedestrian walk, the Fine Arts Museum at Barburizza Palace and El Pedral funicular are all within easy walking distance. And after all that walking up and down hills you'll almost certainly need a little R&R, which is where Astoreca's spa comes in to its own, for a massage or simply to relax by the heated swimming pool or at the hammam.
Why We Love It
The bartender at the Piano Bar makes a mean Pisco Sour (if you ask nicely he might share his secret recipe) and having travelled the length and breadth of the country, we also think Palacio Astoreca as having Chile's most comfortable beds.
