Hostal Destino Bellavista — Hotel in Valparaíso

We stayed 5 nights in March. It was a delightful experience from the first email booking and communication to the final goodbye. The property is well cared for, is interesting, and also cute and fun. Each room is named after a well known (and should be better known) Chilean woman. A photo and brief biography adorns each door. ||||Other reviewers wrote that Patricia and her daughter Elsa, who occasionally is there to help, are tremendously helpful and friendly. Elsa was away but Patricia is soooo great that I have difficulty finding enough superlatives. ||||Ok, this covers it - Patricia loves welcoming guests and does so much to make their stay in Valparaiso a great experience. A visitor can get this level of service at a 4 - 5 star hotel, from a superb concierge - its part of the high cost but efficiency isn’t true caring. Patricia is everything they give with true care.||||Our impression is Patricia is a savvy and kind hearted entrepreneur who loves her local community, her city and being your gateway to enjoy it. She provides amazing service and value, plus you will almost certainly have a very nice Chilean experience.||||Back to basics - Patricia prepared a great breakfast for us each morning at a time suiting us, See the photo. The Hostal is intimate, not bustling. You may meet a couple other people, but likely that’s all. There are eateries close by at several price points and styles, and a rather quiet German brew pub across the street (quiet for a pub and has excellent home brewed German beer - I loved it ). Pablo Neruda’s amazing house is up the Hostal’s street.||||Our room was cleaned and bed made each day, with sheets and towels changed at good intervals. Wifi is strong and fast. Credit card and cash are accepted. The funicular Espiritu Santo is very close near the Hostal on one side of the Bellavista neighbourhood and there’s are good stairs up the other side so access to the downtown streets was easy we thought.||||We recommend Hostal Destino Bellavista. When you read Hostal, I wouldn’t think Hostel; it’s much more, It exceeded all expectations. Muchos...

Patricia is an excellent host that will help you with anything you need. Before we got to the hostal we had our backpack stolen at the bus station and when we got to her place, she took me to the police station and with her help within a few minutes all that was taken care of. Then she invited us to a neighborhood party where we met local residents, fisherman, dance performers, a street band and they all share a wonderful dinner with us. They never asked for anything in return but a sharing of friendship. From here we were going to Mendoza and she made the appointment for a cab to pick us up early in the morning. At the bus station we learned that the pass was closed and there were no buses for a few days. We called Patricia and she drove to the bus station to pick us up and we stayed at her place for a few more days until we were able to travel to Mendoza. I heard her in the phone talking to other people in trouble and helping them find a location or whatever they needed. In other words if you want to feel the warmth of the Chilean people and experience Valparaiso at its best, you have to stay here. |The location is in Cerro Bellavista, very close to "La Sebastiana" One of Pablo Neruda's home and the number one attraction...

Getting around valpo can be a serious workout. This location made it much easier, right at the top of a fonicular (ascensor) that takes you up and down the hill side from the downtown areas. There is a great German run pub directly across the street with good beer and great food. Patricia (who runs the hostel) makes a point of giving you a map of Valpo and explaining where to go to see everything you would want to. As a host she was excellent, and we felt very comfortable. Her English is better than she let's on at first and she is very friendly. She was worried we were cold one night and offered to bring more blankets. We are canadian and there were already 2 more blankets than we even needed. We also never felt a lack of privacy. The area is safe and there is an ATM just a short walk up in the courtyard of the police station. Pablo Neruda's house is shortly beyond that....