Where to Stay in Santiago Chile
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Many people don't realize the size of Santiago, Chile. The population is around 6.5 million people! With that many residents you know there are a lot of neighborhoods. If you are planning to visit you may be wondering what the best area to stay in Santiago is. With some fellow travel bloggers I break down where to stay in Santiago by accommodation type and where to stay in Santiago by neighborhood.
Where to Stay in Santiago - el Centro
#1 Hotel Panamericano
The Hotel
Hotel Panamericano is the perfect hotel if you are looking for nice amenities at a reasonable cost. This 3-star hotel felt more like a 4-star hotel to me. In addition to the typical hotel amenities the rooms come with air conditioning and a small refrigerator. There is a nice breakfast included with fresh fruit, cereal, hot buffet items and more.
One of the reasons I give this Santiago hotel an extra recommendation is for the staff. From the moment I checked in until I left the staff were always friendly and helpful. I was able to check in early and at check-out the doorman went out of his way to help me find my taxi driver that I booked myself through Cabify. He called the driver on his personal cellphone because I didn't have service outside of the hotel and waited with me on the curb until the driver arrived.
The Neighborhood
The location is ideal to explore the main attractions of Santiago. La Moneda palace is only a five minute walk from the hotel. The Plaza de Armas which is the starting point of many tours such as the street art tour, is only 7 minutes walk away. There are several museums in the area and many stores. La Moneda metro stop is a 8 minute walk away. From the stop you can take the red 1 line. From the hotel you can also walk 7 minutes to the Santa Ana stop for the green 5 line or the orange 2 line. If you like to walk to most places you might not even need to take the metro. If you decide to you can easily reach anywhere you want to go in Santiago by taking one of these three lines.
It takes about 20 - 30 minutes to get to and from the airport by car. Depending on traffic it might take longer. It is on the western side of the city so it was one of the closest neighborhoods in the central part of the city to the airport.
Book your stay at Hotel Panamericano today!
#2 Che Lagarto Hostel
By Claudia from My Adventures Across The World -- Instagram
The Hostal
Che Lagarto is one of the best hostels in Santiago. It is good for backpackers, travelers on a budget, solo travelers and in general for anyone who likes a more social place to stay. There are both private rooms and dorms. All of them are excellent. Dorms are large and comfortable, with very good bunk beds and plenty of storage space in the form of lockers as well as closets. Dorms have very modern ensuite bathrooms and showers, which are always kept sparkling clean.
The common areas are perfect for socializing with other travelers. On the ground floor, next to the reception area there is a small sitting area where guests can meet, relax and chat. The terrace on the top floor is the venue for regular parties and bbq dinners, and a good place to have a drink and hang out in the evening. Breakfast is served in the kitchen on the ground floor. It is a great meal, with a very wide choice of sweet and savory food and drinks.
The staff is friendly and helpful, always ready to share useful tips and information with travelers.
The Neighborhood
The hostel is located in el Centro, which as the name says is the very heart of Santiago. This means that guests can use the hostel as an excellent starting point to visit Santiago. Not far from the hostel there is the beautiful Plaza de Armas, which is the main point of interest in town. It's where the Cathedral and the National History Museum are located. El Centro is also where Cerro Santa Lucia is located - this makes for a nice short trip. You can get great views of the city from there. From el Centro, you can easily reach two other neighborhoods - Lastarria and Bellas Artes - which are a bit more trendy. Finally, el Centro is in a very good location for restaurants, bars, eateries and nightlife in general.
Book your stay at Che Lagarto Hostel today!
Where to Stay in Santiago - San Isidro
The Apartment
This AirBnB is a modern apartment with a small one bedroom and bathroom off of the living room and kitchen. As a solo traveler I had plenty of space. On arrival I found the apartment sparkling clean. It isn't equipped with many extras, but does have the basics and everything you would immediately need such as dishes, WiFi, a roll of toilet paper, towels and soap. The corner apartment is really quiet, I never heard any noise from outside or the neighboring apartments. Washing machines and dryers are available on the top floor for an extra cost.
Before checking into the apartment I needed to send my host a picture of my passport. On arrival I showed the front desk my passport and told them my apartment number which the host had previously given me. It was a smooth process. I didn't have any other contact with my host. If I needed something I went to the 24/7 front desk staff.
If you are familiar with AirBnB you know that most places have strict cancellation policies. Another great thing about this AirBnB is that it has a flexible cancellation policy in case your plans change.
The Neighborhood
The apartment is located in San Isidro which is south of el centro, the center of Santiago. It is only about an 8 minute walk to Av Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, which is a busy shopping street. Even though San Isidro is more residential than the center, there are still a lot of stores and restaurants in the neighborhood. One of my favorite restaurants in the area is Coco Thai. The grocery store, Santa Isabel is only a couple blocks away. Tottus Nataniel is a little further away, but it is a much bigger supermarket.
While I did feel safe walking in the neighborhood at night, I felt the parallel street San Diego had more people and thus felt more comfortable to walk on. Parque Almagro and Universidad de Chile are the closest metro stops. It depends where you are going, but the Universidad de Chile on the red 1 line is the one you will likely use the most.
Book your stay at this AirBnB today
#4 Premium Apt Santiago AirBnB
By Daniel James of Layer Culture -- Facebook
The Apartment
This apartment is perfect if you are looking for a place to stay in Santiago that is not too far from the center, where you can have your own private space and are free to cook your own food. The apartment where I stayed is close to Bustamante Park. The stylish apartment, owned by Carlos, had everything one would need to have an enjoyable stay. Not to mention, you get a great view of the Andes mountain range.
The Neighborhood
Within just an easy 5-minute walk there are 3 supermarkets, so you can take care of all your shopping needs. The metro stop is located within another 5-minute walk and there are frequent buses that will take you close to Plaza de Armas. If you prefer to walk into the city center you can do so too. I liked to walk and pass by Bustamante Park along the way, it is the perfect spot filled with big trees and green spaces.
The surrounding area known as the San Isidro neighborhood is a commercial area consisting mainly of small restaurants and shops. If you are looking for landmarks, you can find La Casa de los Diez, the oldest building in Santiago. La Casa de los Diez offers more than just great architecture, the building serves as a cultural space where you can find various dance and music activities.
Maybe you consider yourself a lover of the arts? Here in San Isidro, you can check out Museo Taller. A private museum where you can have interactive experiences with many antiques and carpentry tools. It is the perfect place to spend a morning if you're traveling with kids too. There is also a good restaurant to sample in the evenings called Amalur. You can find typical Basque dishes here. It is a rich alternative for the more refined foodie who expects quality over quantity.
Book your stay at Carlos's Apartment today!
Where to Stay in Santiago - Lastarria
#5 Lastarria AirBnB
By Lauren from www.luxurytravelhacks.com -- Social Media
The AirBnB
A quaint Airbnb apartment in the heart of Lastarria, Santiago was our first impression of Airbnb and what a fantastic experience it was. Greeted at the airport by the lovely host Leonor and her husband, we were driven into the heart of Santiago while being given an insight into the Chilean culture and how to best enjoy Santiago. As we arrived at the apartment, we were happy to find out that there was a 24-hour concierge. This helped us to feel safe during our first few nights in South America.
As we walked into the apartment, we were greeted with a stocked kitchen, including a Nespresso machine, a bottle of wine and chocolates. I mean, what more could you want? Off the kitchen is a small living room, including a large television with Netflix, perfect for a late-night movie. From there, large sliding doors separated the beautiful bedroom and small bathroom. We were provided all of this for the low price of approximately $70 USD a night.
The Neighborhood
As mentioned previously, this Airbnb is located in the neighborhood, or Barrio as it is known in Santiago, of Lastarria. This area of Santiago is filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, open markets and galleries. So merely wandering around the neighborhood is exciting and vibrant. However, feel free to drop into the Museum of Visual Arts or on the boundary of Lastarria, the Museum of Fine Arts. Once you have enjoyed the museums definitely stop by one of the beautiful restaurants for some glorious food and Chilean wine, you won’t be disappointed.
If you have enough time in Santiago also treat yourself to one of the free walking tours around the city. Not only will you enjoy Lastarria, but you will get to explore other exciting and unique areas. Another one of our favorites is the Bellavista Barrio. With bright street art, this area is full of life. With universities, it is also filled with bars and cafes, great for socializing. San Cristobal Hill is also a great spot with fantastic panoramic views of the city. If you have the time, take a hike up the hill. You won’t regret seeing the beautiful city in front of the stunning Andes mountains.
Book your stay at this AirBnB today!
Where to Stay in Santiago - Providencia
#6 AirBnB
By Alison from Dance Dispatches -- Social Media
The Apartment
When I travelled to Santiago, I rented an apartment in the Providencia neighborhood through AirBnB. The spacious studio apartment sits on the 24th floor with incredible views over the city and a glimpse of the mountains in the distance. It has a well-equipped kitchen and dining area, a living room and a furnished balcony. Its bathroom has a tub, which is great to soothe the legs after long days of sightseeing; and guests can use the communal rooftop pool and lounge area.
As a solo traveler, I felt particularly keen to stay here because there is a doorman in the lobby 24/7. The host, Magaly, was very attentive to messages, and the apartment was clean; so I would definitely stay here again. I was also extremely pleased that I was able to schedule a pick-up right from the door for my day tour to the Banos Colinas hot springs in Cajon del Maipo, nestled between the Andes mountains.
The Neighborhood
Providencia is a very comfortable place to stay in Santiago. It’s often descried as a quieter, up-market residential area. The neighborhood has plenty of restaurants, but if you don’t feel like eating out every night, you can buy food from small markets instead. From the AirBnB, you can easily walk to Santiago’s Metropolitan Park and hike up the city’s famous San Cristóbal Hill – or take the cable car to spare your legs. Depending on what time of year you go, you may also be able to swim in the park’s outdoor pools.
The Providencia area is well connected by metro to downtown, but I didn’t need to take public transportation once. Instead, I walked to Santa Lucía Hill, the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, Plaza de Armas and the Central Market (all about 30 minutes away on foot). Once I was already in that area, it was easy to see La Moneda Palace before heading back to Providencia.
Book your stay at this AirBnB today!
Where to Stay in Santiago - Las Condes
#7 The Hyatt Centric Hotel
By James from Travel Collecting -- Pinterest
The Hotel
The Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago is a 166-room four-star hotel with a sleek design. The building is mainly unfinished concrete, with a front wall of latticed metal and glass, giving it an edgy, modern feel. There is a bar and lounge area in the lobby with classic modern furniture and contemporary artwork on the walls. The hotel has much more of a designer feel than regular chain hotels.
There is a ground floor restaurant where breakfast is served (often included in the room rate), along with lunch and dinner. There is also a gym and small outdoor pool. The rooms are simple but chic, with floor to ceiling windows. My room had spectacular city views. There is a slight retro air to the design, with old-fashioned dial telephones in the public areas for internal dialing that contrast with the ultra-modern furnishings. The staff are mostly young and extremely friendly and helpful. Prices are around $200/ night.
The Neighborhood
The hotel is in the Las Condes neighborhood. This is a safe, modern, wealthy neighborhood with expensive residential areas as well as luxury hotels and great shopping and dining. There are plenty of wonderful international and Chilean restaurants within easy walking distance on Isidora Goyenechea street (Pizzeria Tiramisu is a personal favorite) and a casual empanada place just across the street that I went to too many times! Isidora Goyenechea also has plenty of stores for those who love to shop.
The nearest metro station, El Golf on the red Line 1, is just around the corner on Avenida Apoquindo. It is a direct trip to the center of Santiago to the west (about ten minutes to Baquedano station near the Plaza de Armas) and to Las Dominicos to the east (also about 10 minutes on the metro), where there is a great artisan market. It is also just a fifteen-minute walk to the Gran Torre Santiago. This is the tallest building (64 floors) in South America. There is an observation deck open daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm with incredible views over Santiago.
I loved my stay at the Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago.
Book your stay at the Hyatt Centric Las Condes today!
Where to Stay in Santiago - Barrio República
#8 AirBnB Near Toesca Metro
Read my full review of the AirBnB in my Barrio República neighborhood guide.
The Apartment
I spent five weeks at this AirBnB near the Toesca metro stop. I felt right at home my entire time at the apartment. It is clean and stocked with everything you might need. I really appreciated having laundry detergent, a reusable grocery bag and other extras that aren't always included in an AirBnB. My favorite part of the building was probably the outdoor pool! It was open every day except Mondays. It was also handy to have washing machines and dryers within the building.
I never met the host in person, but she was always willing to help when I contacted her. The 24/7 front desk staff were friendly and helpful. To access the pool and the laundry room you need to ask the front desk staff for a key each time. The other residents of the apartment were also very friendly. Whenever I passed someone in the hallway or rode the elevator with them they always said "Hola" with a smile on their face.
The Neighborhood
The apartment is located in the Barrio República neighborhood which is southwest of the center of Santiago. There aren't a lot of tourists or tourist attractions in the area. It is primarily a residential and university area. As I was spending several weeks in the city I liked feeling more like a local in this area. It is very handy to the Toesca metro station. Read my full neighborhood guide to find out more about what is around the apartment.
Book your stay at this AirBnB today!
MORE HOTELS IN BARRIO REPÚBLICA
Now you know the best areas to stay in Santiago and the best places to stay in Santiago in each neighborhood. What are you waiting for? Book your accommodation in Santiago today!
More About Chile
- Santiago: What to Do in Santiago, Museo Histórico Nacional review, Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos review, Barrio República Neighborhood Guide
- Chiloé Island: Guide to Chiloé Island
- Puerto Varas: Rafting & Kayaking
- Pucón: Day tours from Pucón
- Central Chile: 3 Week Itinerary including Santiago and the Chilean Lakes District
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16 Comments
Summer Austin
Wow the view from your airbnb in Providencia is stunning!!! I am visiting Santiago in November so it is great to have this guide – especially for the neighborhoods. I definitely want to take part in the street art tour. Thank you! Pinned!
admin
Thanks for pinning it! I hope it helps you out when you visit Santiago this year. Please check out my other posts about Santiago and let me know if you have any questions 🙂
Sarah
So glad I came across this post. We are planning a trip to Santiago. I like the the look of the air BNB in Providência – that view! But I’m leaning more towards Lastarria.
admin
That’s great you are planning a trip to Santiago! I hope this guide helps you choose where to stay in Santiago 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions as you are planning your time there!
Amrita
Wow, Santiago is a huge city and I am sure a beautiful one too. During our trips, we too prefer Airbnbs. You have listed a number of Airbnbs here and each of them has their own advantage. I have never visited Chile, but I am sure this post is going to help all those who want to visit the city. Quite an exhaustive and informative post!
admin
Yes, Santiago is a beautiful city. I love all the parks and views of the mountains in the distance. I hope you get to visit one day.
Paulina
Oh all these places look so cool! I had no idea that Santiago de Chile has such pretty views on the mountains. I love that you can get AirBnBs with a swimming pool! There is no better way than this to recover from the city.
admin
I loved the AirBnB with a pool. It gets so hot in Santiago that it is a really nice amenity to have…and much cheaper then other parts of the world!
Sandy N Vyjay
Where you stay, plays an important role in the overall travel experience. A good hotel or any other accommodation makes or mars your experience. Hence it is imperative that one selects the most appropriate hotel, hostel, or resort. But this can be challenging when you are going to a new place. Posts like these are great pointers to help choose the best. This is really helpful and especially for first-time visitors to Santiago Chile.
admin
Yes, accommodation is a very important factor when traveling! I know I didn’t know what neighborhood to stay in my first time in Santiago. I hope this guide helps others 🙂
Yukti Agrawal
Wonderful and useful list on where to stay in Santiago, Chile. The apartment type of stay at Providencia looks great as thise spacious studio apartment is located on the 24th floor with stunning views of the city and also the view of the mountains in the distance. Also if I opt for hotel stay then the Hyatt Centric Hotel looks great choice to me.
admin
Thank you!!
umiko
I like that there are so many choices of AirBnB to stay in Santiago. They all look nice, and I especially like the view from Providencia. But I think I prefer the one in Lastarria. The fact that the owner came to pick up the customer at the airport and talked about a brief culture in the city are a plus. Besides, who could beat the amenities and the welcome wine and chocolate in the room?
admin
I know that was such a nice perk! I have never been picked up by an AirBnB host before. I might have to stay there the next time I am in Santiago 🙂
Chloé Arnold
Ahhh Chile is on my bucket list and all of these places look amazing! Because I have a toddler we would likely rent an airbnb and the one with the pool looks amazing!! That view is incredible!
admin
I hope you get to visit Chile!