While there are four promising SPG properties in Santiago de Chile, I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to see how South America does the W, at the W Santiago.

Trip Report

1. Trip Motivation and Planning
2. LAN Flight Experience
3. Tambo Del Inka Resort
4. Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
5. JW Marriott Lima
6. Exploring Lima
7. Exploring Easter Island and the Moai
8. W Santiago
9. Exploring Santiago De Chile

After three wonderful days on Easter Island, we re-boarded a LAN 767 headed back to civilization.  I felt like we could have stayed to enjoy the serenity of the island for several more days, however it was time to mix things up and head back to the big city, Santiago de Chile.

The booking

I had reserved three nights at the W Santiago when the hotel was a category 4 property.  After redeeming the 30,000 SPG points, I used 3 of my confirmed suite nights online. While I was in Lima I pulled up my iPhone and knew we would be in for a treat!  When I checked this same reservation on SPG.com, I noticed the Marvelous Suite that I had been assigned indicated it was a Smoking room. When Natalia, the W Insider & Quality Representative, emailed me prior to the trip asking if I needed anything for my upcoming stay I asked to be placed in a Non-Smoking room.  She said she would take care of it.

After touching down at Santiago’s International Airport, we located an airport taxi stand and arranged a 30 minute taxi into the affluent Las Condes district. The neighborhood is extremely clean and safe. We pulled up to the sexy W Santiago and the fun started. The bellman took our bags and invited us into the building and up the elevators to the lobby for check in.

Check in

After the stroll past colorful artwork and a vibrant lobby I approached a desk agent eager to help.  She immediately recognized my Platinum status and offered me amenity choices of breakfast in the restaurant, 500 Points, or a Movie.  Naturally, I opted for the breakfast.  At this point, none other than Natalia herself came up to give her additional welcome.  She recognized my concern of a Smoking room and indicated the website was actually incorrect.  Room 704, the Marvelous Suite I had been assigned, was in fact a Non-Smoking room.  She went on to explain we would have access to the Acura car service, two bottles of water from the mini bar per person per day, free internet as a Platinum member and let us know about the rooftop pool.  Unfortunately the weather and a busy schedule got in the way and I did not get a chance to check it out the rooftop pool on this trip. 

The lobby

Marvelous Suite 704

We took the elevator playing club music up to the seventh floor.  Always fun with your parents. Upon reaching our room, we were pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of Chilean Wine and a cheese and fruit plate.  The GM left a note welcoming us to the W Santiago and provided additional contact information.

Wine, cheese and crackers

The room

The room was bright, sleek and sexy in typical W fashion.  The Marvelous Suite features a spacious living room, two bathrooms and an expansive balcony overlooking the affluent Las Condes neighborhood in Santiago.  Both the living room and bedroom have large sliding doors to the private balcony/patio.  The balcony ran the entire length of both rooms.  The bedroom can be closed off from the living space with two more sliding doors.

View into the living room from the balcony

The master bathroom shower and sink is integrated directly in the master bathroom.  There is absolutely no separation, not even a splash guard.  It may not be practical for some, but I think it is awesome!  The W Bed was extremely comfortable as usual.

Free and clear master bathroom

View into the master bedroom and bathroom from balcony

View towards the bedroom and balcony from bathroom

The balcony

While I loved everything about the room, the balcony was the real standout.  I love lounging outside, I love staring at mountains, I love taking in a city skyline, and I love drinking wine.  I had no problem accomplishing all four at once from this beautiful vantage point! I can’t think of any better way to celebrate Mother’s Day with Mom.

If I had one criticism, it would be that the furniture didn’t fill up the balcony space.  The outdoor space was so large that having only a couple lounge chairs, a small table and a desk with a few plants(not shown), left it feeling a little bare.

Lounge chairs on the private balcony

View toward the Andes

View towards Las Condes overlooking a beautiful park

The Platinum breakfast

A signature Chilean earthquake tremor shook me awake one morning so we decided to walk down to NoSo where breakfast was being served.  Let me jump straight to the good stuff.  The W Santiago serves Champagne and Vodka for Breakfast! Serve yourself or the wait staff will mix up a drink for you. This fact alone earns the W Santiago the coveted PMM Breakfast Stamp of Excellence!!

I took my mother down for both weekend days including Mother’s Day which served a full brunch.  The self-service spread was immense and rivaled what I have seen at top Asian properties like The St. Regis Bangkok and Le Meridien Cyberport in Hong Kong.  There was no shortage of juices, milks, meats, egg dishes, cereals, pastries, fruits and hot and cold plates.  Everything was superb.  There were additional chefs on the grill prepping omelets and a few other concoctions upon request.

The good stuff!

The juices and fruits table

The baked goods table

The bottom line

South America knows how to ‘W’! (Yes, I am using W as a verb.)  The W Santiago was one of the most beautifully designed W’s I have ever experienced without the cheapness some of the other properties exude.  Hotel traditionalists need not apply.  This hotel is bright, swanky, and sexy.  The breakfast and the balcony were standouts of this stay and moved this property into the upper echelon of my favorite hotels worldwide.