L'Ambassade Petit Hotel

Eating

Breakfasts are a colourful and wholesome spread, served convivially at the dining table, out under the pergola, or in your own room. We opted for the latter option on our first morning and awoke to freshly squeezed strawberry and grapefruit juice, muffins and jams, various sliced fruits and coffee and tea on our terrace.

If you're staying in the Pool Loft you can self-cater with ease, although the mini-market 5 minutes' walk away has quite basic foodstuffs. Snacks and drinks are available all day: simple sandwiches and salads, beer, wine and juices (no cocktails).

We had heard good things about Marie Josée’s cooking and weren't disappointed with our dinner, served by Pia under the pergola. The entrada was a tasty potted salmon tartar with red pepper and avocado, the main a shrimp curry with coconut and ginger; wine was a fruity Carmenere Merlot. Postre featured a peach tart with vanilla ice cream. Except for the bread and ice cream, all the food at L’Ambassade is homemade.

Five minutes from the hotel are sushi bars, cafés and pizzerias - we asked for a lunch suggestion and Maria Josée recommended the French bistro Baco, where we had a chilled glass of good Chilean rosé with a chicken Caesar salad. A 10-minute taxi ride brings you to Avenidas Providencia and 11 de Septembre, where restaurants and department stores abound. Lots of eateries in the nearby Bellavista district play live jazz, bolero and folk music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, including popular vegetarian restaurant El Huerto (Calle Orrego Luco 054).