Lastarria Hotel
Lastarria, Santiago, Chile
A 1920s mansion turned stunning boutique hotel in Santiago’s most boho-chic barrio
The city’s artiest enclave could only offer visitors ageing
hotels and hostels - until now. Behind the elegant Art Deco
façade, Lastarria’s first upscale boutique hotel is an
artful combination of traditional and contemporary. The sensitive
restoration has preserved the building’s original features -
lofty ceilings, ornate mouldings, parquet flooring, a sweeping
marble staircase - and added just the right amount of
modernity.
The 14 spacious rooms are spread over 4 floors and
there’s plenty of chill-out space in the lounge bar. But we
spent most of our time on the terrace, which overlooks an
unexpected and delightful extra - a luxuriant garden complete with
an ingenious living wall and a shimmering pool.
Cosmopolitan Lastarria, tucked between the riverside promenade of
the Parque Forestal and the Cerro Santa Lucía (a former
Spanish stronghold turned public park), brims with history and
you’ll find a bevy of museums, cutting-edge galleries, trendy
shops, hip cafés and bars on your doorstep. Plus
you’re only a 10-minute stroll from Santiago’s historic
centre and a bit further from buzzy Bellavista.
Highs
- Rooms are a stylish combination of traditional architecture, modern design and hi-tech extras such as iPod docks
- Friendly staff go out of their way to help you plan your time in the city, so it's good for first-time visitors
- The shady garden is perfect for post-sightseeing relaxation and the pool is an added bonus
- You’re minutes from one of Santiago's best ice-cream parlours and one of its most popular green spaces, Parque Forestal
- A decent breakfast plus complimentary afternoon tea
Lows
- At the time of writing (mid 2012) there was no restaurant; just salads and light bites on offer plus 24-hour room service. A tie-up with a renowned Chilean restaurant is underway and meanwhile there are plenty of eateries nearby
- The parquet floors are beautiful but rather squeaky
- The Superior A and Standard Single rooms aren't up to the same standard as the other rooms, but are priced accordingly
