Hotel del Patio

Swanky loft-style hotel with a penthouse patio overlooking a lively shopping and dining plaza in Bellavista, Santiago's bohemian quarter

Santiago's Bellavista barrio has the colour and energy which pretty-but-proper Providencia lacks. In the shadow of landmark Cerro San Cristóbal in sprawling Parque Metropolitano, this bohemian enclave - once home to Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda - draws Santiguinos and tourists to the city’s best restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Hotel del Patio is an integral part of the stylish wave of development invigorating the district. On the second storey of a historic family home, it's a bold blend of period architectural detail, ultra-sleek fixtures and psychedelic colour combinations. The common areas ad 10 spacious bedrooms open to a windowed gallery overlooking Patio Bellavista, a polished plaza lined with shops and outdoor resto-bars that thumps with activity day and night. Follow a morning of shopping with a drop-in salsa lesson at the neighbouring dance studio, then kick back on the terrace while you duel over dinner options - Thai, French, Mediterranean or sushi?

Highs

• Well placed for Pablo Neruda’s La Chascona, the funicular to Parque Metropolitano, and the metro
• The multi-level terrace has cushioned benches and a birds-eye view of the plaza that is the hub of this vibrant neighbourhood
• WiFi throughout the hotel, and free internet with a headset for Skype
• Make-yourself-at-home vibe: fridge space for drinks, and friendly, multilingual staff ready to arrange anything
• Budget boutique chic - a rarity in Santiago

Lows

• Bellavista may be on the up, but Calle Pío Nono, where the (intercom-equipped) entrance is, still has an edgy feel after dark
• Can be noisy as it's sandwiched between one of Bellavista’s boisterous main drags and the plaza; if you’re seeking a more serene entrée to Santiago, head for Providencia
• The peacock colour combinations and the minimalist décor aren't for everyone; some bathrooms are a bit snug