Hotel El Araucano — Hotel in Concepcion

If you want a hotel that can keep you safe in an earthquake, El Araucano is probably your best bet. Built in 1968, it has survived several large earthquakes when lesser buildings have toppled. ||||If you get a room on the west side you will have a gorgeous cityscape at night, including the revolving light show of the mall across the street.||||It has a handy central location facing the plaza de la independencia and ample public lobbies and mezzanines as well as a spacious restaurant with the architectural beauty of soaring ceilings and hardwood panelling. ||||The front desk personel were very kind and helpful and wanted the traveller to feel comfortable. Excellent service. That is the good part.||||The shower pressure was a dribble, barely enough to wash with. The carpeting smelled a bit musty so we kept the AC on. ||||We would stay again but ask to check the shower pressure before committing to a room. I like staying in solid hotels in earthquake...

The El Auracano is the 'grand old hotel' in Concepcion, well situated near the main square and shopping streets, and within walking distance of the university. Some of the infrastructure and fittings (e.g. bathrooms) are showing their age but the hotel has clearly also been refurbished and kept in a good state of repair. My standard double room on the 8th floor was spacious, clean, with a a safe, fridge and flat screen TV and good wifi connection. The king size bed was comfortable and the room was very quiet. The breakfast buffet is abundant, if not particularly exciting, and there is a swimming pool/sauna onsite that I didn't use. A few niggles such as demagnetising entry cards and a temperamental toilet flush, but these were fairly minor. Overall, a comfortable and convenient option in Concepcion, and the helpful reception staff speak some...

I stayed here for about a week and I was very pleased. The hotel is very central, ten minutes walk to the university, where I needed to go and well located for many things. ||Staff were excellent. Very considerate, thoughtful and helpful, and security was paramount. I was especially grateful to the cleaning staff who did a great job.||We did have big demos every day outside, which were passionate but peaceful, but then these often became more aggressive and violent later on. The security associated with hotel was great and everyone felt safe. ||Minor things the hotel could look at. The room safe in my room didn't function and breakfast was fine but could have been a little more exciting and varied. Dinner menu was, I felt, really good value with...