Hotel Don Santiago Providencia — Hotel in Providencia

I booked this hotel through Delta during my flight after my usual apartment in the same neighborhood became unavailable. Having never stayed there before, I chose it based on price and photos and its location. I prefer a quiet and secure, neighborhood within walking distance of stores and public transportation. I would characterize HDSP more as a bed and breakfast than a hotel. It looks like a large house and serves a great breakfast. It operates with a small staff who have each worked there for a few years and nearly all of whom speak little English with the notable exception of Cristina, the owner/manager. After staying there for over a week, I have a hard time visualizing any of the staff not giving full support to any customer as characterized by another reviewer. Chile is a wonderful country with natural beauty and charming people. In my travels I find that courtesy, a smile, and patience go a long way toward overcoming language and cultural misunderstandings. Cristina and her husband are the owners of 2 Hotel Don Santiago, this one being in Providencia. She is educated and speaks fluent English, German, and Spanish. I have only stayed in the Providencia location. It is an "original" unique building and architecture. Like all the other houses on the street, the property is walled or fenced with iron and has a locked gate opened remotely by a staff member after recognizing the visitor on a video monitor. Remodeled from its original construction from the early 1940's when it reportedly was built as a U.S. Embassy - long before U.S. Embassies needed more security against direct attack. Providencia has several other embassies. This particular hotel maintains the appeal and charm of the period with wood plank floors and tile, but within the limits of the concrete structure. The bathrooms have Lexan shower doors and lots of hot water, thick towels (origami folded into kissing swans or other shapes). Speaking of towels, if you use a wash cloth you may not find them in Chile where they don't generally use or provide them. My bed, pillows, and bedding were comfortable and a room heat pump can be turned on for heating or cooling, although I found that opening the windows to allow the cold night air flowing down from the mountains to cool the bedroom is ideal. I didn't use the telephone but it appeared that every room had one. An original looking wide wood staircase with curved handrail rises to the 2nd floor rooms and the largest room and its balcony situated over the front (where one can also sit in the loveseat swing on the porch) looking down on the front garden and street. Behind the house is a patio garden with tables, umbrellas, and chairs for lounging or a social. Zoned broadband Wifi and power outlets provide internet access throughout the house, patio, and porch. Besides the friendly and accommodating staff, I think the highlight for my stay was the breakfast. For my taste it lacked for nothing. It was clean, tasty, fresh, nutritious, and artfully presented. Breakfast time is also an opportunity to observe and talk to other guests. You will find Hotel Don Santiago, Providencia more authentic and less expensive than the big brand hotels and if you are vacationing, the prices tend to drop significantly as the Chilean vacation period tapers off around March 1. I liked the staff and the personal concern for my needs. I highly recommend Hotel Don Santiago Providencia, but it you need more, just change hotels and find out what a good...

I stayed at the Hotel Don Santiago Providencia for several nights on three occasions during my trip to Chile in March 2015. It is located on a quiet, leafy street in the popular and safe Providencia region of the city, known for its restaurants and shopping, and is also only about a quick twenty minute walk to the trendy and bohemian Barrio Bellavista, and a further ten on to the historical centre. If you don’t fancy the exercise then the metro is right around the corner with an efficient and very understandable system of propelling you to any part of the city. I chose the hotel because of the reviews on Tripadvisor, it’s safe location (as I’m a solo, female traveler) and also, just before I booked, on personal recommendation. I stayed in two rooms; on two of my visits in the same one and, on the last occasion I was there, in a much bigger room with a large balcony overlooking the garden. The first room was small and rather dark but having said that it was very comfortable, quiet and clean with an ensuite bathroom. I personally don’t mind small spaces but to some it might be considered a little cramped. The second room was lovely but unfortunately I arrived late and had to leave for the airport very early in the morning so didn’t have the opportunity to fully enjoy it. If there were any doubts about some of the rooms there were absolutely none about the service. All the staff was welcoming and extremely helpful. They were ready with advice and suggestions of what to do in the city, arranged airport pick-ups and drop-offs and, very conveniently for me, I was allowed to leave my large suitcase in storage in the hotel whilst I went off on various trips around Chile with only hand language. Each time I came back my suitcase was already waiting for me in my room. The Don Santiago became a kind of home from home and I wouldn’t think of staying anywhere else if I were to ever go back...

when I booked my stay at this hotel, I was charged for my 2 night stay straight away. When I arrived and checked in, my credit card was charged again for 2 nights accommodation. When I queried the charge with the receiptionist, she was unable to communicate due to a language barrier. I emailed the hotel owner asking why I was charged twice, and was not even afforded the courtesy of acknowledgment, and I know they received the email. I think that is very bad customer service and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Not only that, but the single room is so small, my suitcase and I could just about fit in the room. To get into the hotel, you had to stand on the sreet and press a buzzer and hope someone let you in.||My advice, pay a little exrta and get somewhere decent with an establishment that will at least be honest with you. ||Do not...