Jnr Suite in lovely DoubleTree Santiago Vitacura

Stayed here for 2 nights (too short!) recently on a weekend and had an excellent stay. Would definitely recommend the hotel and location. Detailed review with pictures follows.

The location is between two areas of Santiago on the North-East section of the city (its more in Vitacura than Las Condes but both areas are lovely). The area is what I would call the financial district of the city from gut feeling but I may be wrong. There are plenty of other upscale hotels and places to eat, shop and visit nearby on foot in this safe and clean area of the city. I would suggest it is around 30 to 40 minutes from the airport to the hotel or reverse but this can depend greatly on the time of day and traffic which is very bad in the city at most times. Metro is best to get around if you can as you avoid the traffic situations and most stations have some street art that is very good as a bonus. I used a hotel arranged vehicle to get back to the airport at the end of my stay and this cost 28,000 Chilean fixed price without tip (usually 10% of the amount on all items) was fair in my opinion to be able to pay with credit card (otherwise a normal taxi is not guaranteed to take credit card and likely only accepts cash). The vehicle was a van (like a Vito Mercedes but some other make, very comfortable and could seat quite a few people) and had diplomatic plates which is also used for ferrying such people around as well. It was clean and very nice and I can recommend this method if you are with baggage or simply don't want to risk the hassle of the Metro (or want to pay cc instead of cash). It is quite far from the city 'centre' (about 7 Km from memory) so you'd want to take an uber, taxi or metro to get around, although I did walk from downtown to the hotel on day and ended up walking around 20 Km in total so a good workout! The tallest building in South America is only a few hundred meters away in Costanera Center (a big shopping mall and office area) which is a landmark you can see from most places with a view in the city. Some pictures of the entrance to the hotel and the general location as well as the stunning views around the city and the Andes follow:

DT location in the city and compared to the airport (courtesy/copyright Google Maps)

What an amazing view of the snow capped Andes and the Costanera Center building from the top of Castillo Hildalgo hilltop.

It really is tall...

The entrance to the hotel as seen from inside.

The nice decorations in the hotel foyer.

We checked in around 2 PM (a bit early) but this was no problem and they happily provided our rooms (me an upgraded room to a Jnr Suite from a King Deluxe Room - Sitting Area and my colleague with Silver status from a entry level room to a nicer room but not sure what category). The rooms were paid stays and at a decent rate. Reception is to the left as you enter the hotel through the main doors and was usually manned with 3 people with one being a HH dedicated spot. The staff were very friendly, helpful and able to give me all the info and diamond welcome without it seeming to be scripted. ^ We were informed of the amenities of the hotel and soon on our way.

Service was overall excellent. As with most places there are exceptions, however, they were not the rule and I rated this hotel very highly for service in general from most staff that were genuinely happy to help and enjoyed their jobs. The single exception was the bar staff on the Saturday night just before closing (but still open)...they did not want to really work and the three of them just stood around chatting to each other at the bar while guests had to come up to the bar to get service and then it was done perfunctorily. We asked for a second round of Pisco Sours (excellent if you get a chance to try it, a local drink) and were simply told 'no!' Had to give my head a shake at that and assume it was because the person didn't want to spend the time so close to closing and also make a few items dirty that would need cleaning but maybe they just had a bad day. Everyone else was truly outstanding here for service from the lounge staff to the cleaning staff to the doormen to the restaurant staff (an example is that upon having another Pisco Sour on the patio portion of the restaurant on Sunday afternoon, the server actually brought out the various local (Peruvian and Chilean) liquour that is used in the drink and gave us a bit of a tasting and lesson on the differences as a matter of pride). ^^

I'd be hard pressed to remember having better service at any Hilton chain hotel worldwide, it was that good in all other areas. 

We ate breakfast in the main restaurant (free as a diamond of course) and it was very good. There was plenty of choice and the fruit especially was amazingly ripe, juicy and tasty. There were plenty of choices for hot and cold items and they had a manned bar area for speciality coffees. They made proper cappuccinos and any other hot drink with a smile and nothing was too much trouble.

The restaurant is to the left when entering the hotel, behind the reception desks and there is an outside patio area where you can have breakfast as well as other meals, the area is covered mostly by sun umbrellas and they had large fans also running during the hottest parts of the day. Most people ate inside (why I'll never know) but outside was tranquil and not too hot so lovely for breakfast. We had drinks out here one afternoon as well and had great service. 

There is also a large bar area and this includes a 'conservatory' like area with direct sunlight to one side but completely covered by glass for those not wanting to sit outside but wanting brighter light. We had drinks here one evening and that is described above in the service section.

The main view of the nice bar area.

The seating area to the right when looking at the bar and coming from the elevators (to the right in the picture and immediately ahead as one enters the hotel).

Breakfast outside in the covered but sunny patio area of the main restaurant. You can see a small sample of the variety and quality of items.

To the main feature, a lovely room with plenty of space to work, rest and relax. Not too many words for this section as the pictures tell the story. I liked the swinging TV swivel and the quality of the room and furniture was great. A bathrobe and slippers, iron, ironing board, safe, minibar, coffee and tea boat area, plenty of storage areas and sitting/working areas topped the room off. The bathroom was large enough for two to be in there without feeling crowded and I liked the hand wand / rain shower options.

Pictures;

King Bed

Living / Working Area

View towards living area and entrance

Wardrobe and contents

Work desk area and swivel TV

View out window on 7th floor to the right

View out window to the left (towards the shopping mall)

View into bathroom from entrance

Vanity / Sink area

Shower with both rain shower and hand wand. Excellent pressure and temperature controls.

Coffee/Minibar/safe area

Minibar contents (paid items) there were additionally two bottles of water free in the room.

The executive lounge was very large, very nice and had an excellent selection for food as well as drink and I have to say, was probably the best lounge I've been to, full stop, worldwide...in a DoubleTree...go figure! :)

Lots of different seating areas and styles to suit all tastes and group sizes. Plenty of computers (not pictured) at the back of the lounge (at least 4 work stations) and a lovely long bar area for coffee/tea/alcohol and service plus food. We used the lounge quite a bit and it served alcohol from 1 PM onwards, including Pisco Sours (they order them from the bar downstairs and have them brought up). The variety of alcohol was great for a free exec lounge situation and long may that continue. No one seemed to abuse it either which was nice to see. I did not see any children in the lounge but maybe they are allowed?

Service was excellent in the lounge. Access is by key card and it is on the 3rd floor and takes up a good half of the building footprint on that floor.

We held some business meetings in the lounge (paid to have our guests join us there at 30 $ US / person) and it was a nice facility and place to hold such meetings for a small group with drinks and nibbles.

Pictures;

Large sofas and casual group area

Back towards the entrance

Another area by the drinks and food with lovely wood flooring

A glimpse into the area behind the bar and food at the back where the computers were (around that corner to the left, someone was there so hence no further pictures)

The bar area with drinks and food

Yet another seating area of the lounge with sectioned off slightly more private areas for groups of 2 to 4

Yes, you can get beer from this machine (Heineken)

One wall of the alcohol available in the lounge.

The other alcohol available in the lounge

There was wine and sparkling wine as well beside the beer machine but I didn't get a picture of them when they were out. There was also plenty of still and sparking water as well as soft drinks and mixers in fridges below the counter area.

An amazing lounge for space, comfort, work and a couple of relaxing drinks.

I will say this is one of my favourite hotels worldwide. Santiago was clean, safe and although relatively expensive (for South America) it was amazing and the hotel was a real surprise and delight. I'd love to go back to it and the area for the value, service, quality and amenities.

There was obviously a fitness studio and pool but I simply didn't make it to them so have no pictures!

Safe travels everyone, I hope you can check this place out in your future travels.