Four Points by Sheraton Santiago — Hotel in Providencia

From some negative Tripadvisor reviews, I had some qualms about booking here. But I'm glad that we did.We were staying in Santiago for a night before and then a night after a visit to the coast. Driving from the airport to the hotel was pretty simple - from the airport you take the Vespucio Norte Express about .7 mile and exit onto Costanera Norte Highway (to Santiago). Continue about 11 miles until you enter the tunnel. Near the end of the tunnel, you take a left hand exit (#13 - La Conception).When exiting the tunnel, stay in the right hand lane for about 400 ft. to the round-a-bout, (Avenida Pedro Valdivia) where you turn right, But then you need to quickly get into the left hand lane as you cross the bridge so you can make a left turn at the light at the base of the bridge. (Avenida Andres Bella). Go about 7 blocks and turn right on Santa Magalena (a small street). Four points is on the left side. There really is no specific loading or parking area in front of the hotel (as is common in many European hotels), so just park as well as you can for check in. After the first visit, when I returned, I just drove into the parking garage (located to the left of the hotel if looking directly at the front) and took the elevator up to the lobby to check in. Check in was easy and quick both times. The first time, even though we were very early, they had a room for us ready in about 20 minutes. Due to platinum status, we were upgraded to a corner suite on the eleventh floor both times - living room separated from the bedroom, small bathroom, a walk-in closet and balcony. Maybe a little "dated", but our rooms were clean and well kept. The first night, the suite was on the East side - beautiful views of the Andes from the balcony. However, lots of construction going on in a building fairly close by, so pretty noisy during the day, even with the windows closed. The wifi did not work at all in this room. Upon our return, we got the room across from our previous room - no real view from the balcony, but definitely more quiet (also, it was a Sunday) and the wifi worked fine in this room. In both rooms I was very pleased that the a/c worked well. Even though it was "winter", for us the hotel common areas and rooms were warm. We left the balcony doors open at times in our room, but at night it was the A/C. Many hotels in Europe and South America turn off their central A/C in the winter!

This hotel location was fantastic for us, as the Metro station (Los Leones) is just "down the street", a few minutes walk. We used the metro to get to Plaza de Armas, San Cristobel Hill and the Bellavista area. One caveat - on Sunday, many of the local stores, shops and restaurants are closed. Parking is about $10 per day extra, but you have in and out privileges.

The staff and service were exceptional, especially in helping us with a lost item. Our one dinner here was very good, with some nice presentation. Our one lunch was basic but delicious. The breakfast buffet was not as varied as we have had in many other hotels, but it had all the basic choices one would expect - some hot food selections, cold meats and cheeses, fruits, pastries, cereals, yogurt, bread and rolls. Again, we want to thank Freddy and Carlos for their help in making our stays...

We had an unexpected short stay as result of cancelled cruise. Hotel was modern, comfortable and nicely decorated. Rooms were very well equipped with essentials for stay over and cleaning staff were excellent. Rooms kept to a high standard. Reception, door and restaurant staff were excellent, being very friendly and accommodating. Hotel has free wifi and internet. Free use of reception computers with a printer, helped greatly in arranging boarding passes and printing them out. Wifi and internet was fast and worked very well in all areas of hotel. We used the small rooftop pool and sun loungers, accessed via entering the fire escape stair on the 12th floor to go up 1 floor to plant room floor, to access roof level which had space for around 6 guests on pool side of building and another separate area on far side for around 8 guests to sun. Towels were made available on each lounger with more if required. The very small jacuzzi was permanently covered and had to be requested and made operable by staff. As the access for staff to its pump and plant machinery was below decking. It looked a bit awkward to access and badly laid out for ease of operation. An emergency stop was however available on wall and easily accessible. At time of stay the 12th floor was being refurbished. When leaving lift on 12th floor, temporary plastic sheeting was underfoot. Workman were rewiring fire alarm . It generally required walking a short distance through a building site to access fire stair to roof. The restaurant was well laid out with ample space for guests. Breakfast was mostly continental with some fried items. My only criticism was the bacon which was very streaky and over cooked. Omelettes could be requested if desired. We noticed that as the number of guests staying declined, the choice of food in the morning also declined. Leaving little to choose from. However, upon asking staff for missing food choices, these were quickly supplied. Overall a very enjoyable stay and I certainly...

Expected service up to the name it proudly presents after the hotel's own name. Unfortunately it was not up to par. Individual staff attention is very good but this place seems to have a policies problem. Breakfast lacks variety. The room's TV is system locked and you can't use any device you may have brought such as a videogame console, laptop or chrome cast. Odd furniture placement, in order to close the window curtains to enjoy a nice sleep you are forced to squeeze behind a huge useless decoration lamp that's placed right in front of the curtains. Showers lack any sort of placeholder for soap and the like. You are forced to place your soap and shampoo on the floor while showering. There's a lack of electric outlets next to the sides of the bed. Internet Service is not entirely free and restricted. It asks for your last name and room number to allow internet service. Privacy be darned. While counting with very modern gear in the room. The intercoms come straight out of the 80s. The mini bar in the room will surprise you with the huge offer of two minuscule bottles of mineral water. And two soda cans. The only alcoholic beverage offered within the room are two very unappealing bottles of wine stored at room temperature since who knows when. Snacks are sorely lacking in he room as well and it's limited to a granola bar and some chips.

Again, staff is very attentive and they'll go out of their way to accommodate your every request. If only their deliberate policies were as good as their...