Sheraton Vina Del Mar Chile [Master Thread]
Feb 22, 2015, 7:09 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum), AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 310
It is a 90 minute bus ride from the Pajaritos metro stop. Very easy to do and the buses are clean and comfortable. IIRC, the round trip fare was under $20 per person. Both Turbus and Pullman bus go from there and are reliable. They leave every 20-30 minutes. It's a pleasant drive through the countryside. You will arrive at the main bus terminal in Vina. You can pick up a cab from there or walk a couple of blocks to the Metro stop and go one stop to the Miramar station, which is only a couple of blocks from the hotel.
There is not much room to store luggage onboard the buses, so pack light (a backpack will just fit overhead) or be prepared to put stuff in the hold. I ended up buying a backpack in Santiago and leaving my luggage with the concierge at my Santiago hotel since I was returning there after Vina. As usual, I took too much.
Do pack a sweater, I found Vina to be a little cooler at night than Santiago.
And I would definitely use the Pajaritos bus terminal rather than Alameda. Alameda is very busy and a bit of a zoo. Lots of different lines and destinations, not to mention too many people for my taste. Pajaritos has only about a dozen berths so you are much less likely to get confused. And the metro line has an exit that that takes you right to the bus terminal at Pajaritos. The Alameda station is not co-located, although it's not far, either.
There is not much room to store luggage onboard the buses, so pack light (a backpack will just fit overhead) or be prepared to put stuff in the hold. I ended up buying a backpack in Santiago and leaving my luggage with the concierge at my Santiago hotel since I was returning there after Vina. As usual, I took too much.
Do pack a sweater, I found Vina to be a little cooler at night than Santiago.
And I would definitely use the Pajaritos bus terminal rather than Alameda. Alameda is very busy and a bit of a zoo. Lots of different lines and destinations, not to mention too many people for my taste. Pajaritos has only about a dozen berths so you are much less likely to get confused. And the metro line has an exit that that takes you right to the bus terminal at Pajaritos. The Alameda station is not co-located, although it's not far, either.
However, we will each have a suitcase (nothing too large, just a standard checked bag size) and a backpack. Would this be too much to carry on board the bus? We're staying 2 nights in Vina del Mar, and will not be returning to the same hotel afterward.
Feb 22, 2015, 7:23 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 743
Way too much to carry on. There is very little overhead space. And not enough room by your feet for for a suitcase. Not even close. You can check with the bus companies about what they can put in the hold. I did see them load a few bags under there but did not do it myself so I don't have personal experience to relate.
Maybe someone else has done it and can comment. Or if your Spanish is good enough, you can check out the bus companies' websites. For that matter, I recall the folks at the Hyatt being very friendly and you might ask some of the staff there. IIRC, most of them spoke very good English.
Maybe someone else has done it and can comment. Or if your Spanish is good enough, you can check out the bus companies' websites. For that matter, I recall the folks at the Hyatt being very friendly and you might ask some of the staff there. IIRC, most of them spoke very good English.
Mar 13, 2017, 1:42 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
updating this thread
I am updating this thread based on a visit to the property this month..........
The location is too die for. Its a stone throw from the Floral Clock (donated by the Swiss!) as you enter Vina. Its also on the road to Con Con.
The hotel is 8 stories high, very modern, clad in glass. No SPG lounge, nor (from what I could determine) does it even have an SPG Preferred Floor. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool, steam room and a hot tub. According to the wiki, Plats get full brekkie + 500 SPG points but I did not try.
Overall, this is a great place to stay for visiting Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, and Con Con. Its mainly used by corporations (e.g. Nissan, when I was there) for getaway meetings. Very popular with Chileans as there are not a lot of high ened accommodation on the coast, IMO.
The location is too die for. Its a stone throw from the Floral Clock (donated by the Swiss!) as you enter Vina. Its also on the road to Con Con.
The hotel is 8 stories high, very modern, clad in glass. No SPG lounge, nor (from what I could determine) does it even have an SPG Preferred Floor. There is both an indoor and outdoor pool, steam room and a hot tub. According to the wiki, Plats get full brekkie + 500 SPG points but I did not try.
Overall, this is a great place to stay for visiting Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, and Con Con. Its mainly used by corporations (e.g. Nissan, when I was there) for getaway meetings. Very popular with Chileans as there are not a lot of high ened accommodation on the coast, IMO.
Mar 15, 2017, 7:56 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
I'm a bit surprised that foreigners would like Vina del Mar. Candidly, when I passed through the area on my way to Valparaiso, I was a little horrified by the congestion. Zapallar is more my speed, and I suspect would be more to the liking of mostr foreigners as well.
Oct 4, 2018, 1:28 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Anyone stayed here since the merger? 5 night stay with my husband coming up, base room booked. He is LT PPE, but I am hearing that Sheraton's are not seeing anything other than Plat in their systems. I will post a review after stay regardless.
Oct 5, 2018, 11:10 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
As for the systems, I've had three post 8/18 stays at SPG properties (a Westin, a Sheraton, and a W) and none can see that I am PPE or PPE+A. On the first stay, I chalked it up to integration issues but after my latest stay at a W and discussion at check in, its apparent they just don't have that info in the Lightspeed system. Hopefully, something will change soon.
Oct 14, 2018, 2:41 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
We had card keys that said Platinum Premier Elite on them and a letter from the manager welcoming as such. Nice room on the top floor with an ocean view, but size was standard. Note that all rooms at this hotel have a ocean view, but the eighth floor is definitely the nicest view and all rooms face the ocean directly on.
Full buffet breakfast for 2 every day.
No other elite perks that we could see/offered.
Stay posted incorrectly. 2,060 Base points for a 5 night stay! Will need to dispute.
Full buffet breakfast for 2 every day.
No other elite perks that we could see/offered.
Stay posted incorrectly. 2,060 Base points for a 5 night stay! Will need to dispute.
Oct 14, 2018, 2:54 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
We had card keys that said Platinum Premier Elite on them and a letter from the manager welcoming as such. Nice room on the top floor with an ocean view, but size was standard. Note that all rooms at this hotel have a ocean view, but the eighth floor is definitely the nicest view and all rooms face the ocean directly on.
Full buffet breakfast for 2 every day.
No other elite perks that we could see/offered.
Stay posted incorrectly. 2,060 Base points for a 5 night stay! Will need to dispute.
Full buffet breakfast for 2 every day.
No other elite perks that we could see/offered.
Stay posted incorrectly. 2,060 Base points for a 5 night stay! Will need to dispute.
couple of questions...
1. How did you get there?
2. Anything interesting within walking distance?
thanks!
Oct 14, 2018, 3:01 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
My husband was attending a convention that provided transportation from the airport, so I am afraid I am no help there.
There are plentiful restaurants within walking distance if you walk about half a mile up the coast past the casino, or if you walk inland, past the "flower clock"
Ubers to the main part of Vina del Mar or the interesting parts of Valparaiso are around 3 dollars. We also had no trouble catching ubers back to the hotel after touring.
If you have a designated driver it is simple to rent a car for the day to tour the Casablance valley vineyards, otherwise the hotel can arrange a driver or there are multiple private tour companies.
There are plentiful restaurants within walking distance if you walk about half a mile up the coast past the casino, or if you walk inland, past the "flower clock"
Ubers to the main part of Vina del Mar or the interesting parts of Valparaiso are around 3 dollars. We also had no trouble catching ubers back to the hotel after touring.
If you have a designated driver it is simple to rent a car for the day to tour the Casablance valley vineyards, otherwise the hotel can arrange a driver or there are multiple private tour companies.
Feb 3, 2019, 9:23 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Switzerland
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 843
Sheraton Miramar has proven to be a great choice before finishing a trip that also included Santiago and Patagonia.
The check-in staff were extremely friendly. Plat amenity included free valet parking (otherwise CLP7000 per day) and the points or a cheese plate. As said above in this thread, the huge cheese+crackers+etc plate and a full bottle of wine beat the points hands down. After that, we downgraded our dinner plans to just some seasonal fruits.
Further benefits (not sure whether Plat related or for everyone) were welcome drinks in the bar (sparkling wine or juice) and full buffet breakfast for two every day.
The breakfast buffet has been excellent on a Saturday and very good on a Sunday. On the somewhat less crowded Saturday, the service was impeccable (eg coffee refills all the time, they never ran out of any of the food items). Unlike so many comparable hotels, the egg/omelette station had no lines at all.
The sixth floor room is really spacious - could indeed be called a junior suite. Views towards the beach and Valparaiso. I can definitely recommend this hotel (but am not commenting on whether or not there are things to do in Viņa).
The check-in staff were extremely friendly. Plat amenity included free valet parking (otherwise CLP7000 per day) and the points or a cheese plate. As said above in this thread, the huge cheese+crackers+etc plate and a full bottle of wine beat the points hands down. After that, we downgraded our dinner plans to just some seasonal fruits.
Further benefits (not sure whether Plat related or for everyone) were welcome drinks in the bar (sparkling wine or juice) and full buffet breakfast for two every day.
The breakfast buffet has been excellent on a Saturday and very good on a Sunday. On the somewhat less crowded Saturday, the service was impeccable (eg coffee refills all the time, they never ran out of any of the food items). Unlike so many comparable hotels, the egg/omelette station had no lines at all.
The sixth floor room is really spacious - could indeed be called a junior suite. Views towards the beach and Valparaiso. I can definitely recommend this hotel (but am not commenting on whether or not there are things to do in Viņa).
Nov 30, 2019, 11:25 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
planning to book a stay there. On the website, it says "Please note-Foreigners staying 60 or more nights and Chilean residents any length of stay are NOT excluded from paying 19 pct tax" and the room rate is quoted in CLP.
Somewhere I read that if foreigners pay in CLP tax will still be applied. The confirmation email I got has tax added to the total amount.
Just want to see any recent experience with this hotel in regarding to the 19% tax.
thanks.
Somewhere I read that if foreigners pay in CLP tax will still be applied. The confirmation email I got has tax added to the total amount.
Just want to see any recent experience with this hotel in regarding to the 19% tax.
thanks.
Jan 15, 2020, 9:13 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 706
Let me answer my question. Stayed there during the Christmas holiday for 1 night. Was given free breakfast as a Gold. If you park in the front entrance (instead of garage), parking is free.
Room is a bit dated but the view is incredible. Also, the pool is unbeatable. The hotel is built literally on a rock where you can constantly hear the sounds of waves crushing to the sea barrier. Pool water is a bit cold but with the Chilean sun during the summer, it is barely swimmable.
Was given text book 2 pm late check-out as a Gold. Breakfast service is top notch - cook to order egg station, fresh orange juice presser, attentive staffs and great view.
As a foreigner, no tax if you pay in US$.
There is a restaurant that I recommend at Vina del Mar - Sativo.
I highly recommend this hotel.
Room is a bit dated but the view is incredible. Also, the pool is unbeatable. The hotel is built literally on a rock where you can constantly hear the sounds of waves crushing to the sea barrier. Pool water is a bit cold but with the Chilean sun during the summer, it is barely swimmable.
Was given text book 2 pm late check-out as a Gold. Breakfast service is top notch - cook to order egg station, fresh orange juice presser, attentive staffs and great view.
As a foreigner, no tax if you pay in US$.
There is a restaurant that I recommend at Vina del Mar - Sativo.
I highly recommend this hotel.
Last edited by khkchan; Jan 15, 2020 at 9:21 pm