Where did you stay in Rio or Santiago?

[SophieM]

We are cruising from Rio to Santiago this coming January, and I am beginning my hotel search. I’d really appreciate any recommendations or avoids. 
 

Thanks much!

 

[FlyerTalker]

My Santiago go-to hotel is the AC Hotel at Costanera Center.  In a high-rise connected to the Center, you have shopping and dining close at hand.  Lots of shops, restaurants and cafes within walking distance, plus you are convenient to other locations for sightseeing.  Part of the Marriott umbrella of brands.

 

And for transport from your hotel to the airport, I highly recommend TransVIP for a private car or van.  Every time I've used them, excellent driver and vehicle at a fair price.  On time and efficient.

 

 

[SophieM]

FT, thanks so much! I will check them both out!

 

[Cape Hernlopen]

Dear Sophie:

 

In Rio we have stayed at Hilton Copacabana, most recently in February 2020 (just before Covid).  The hotel is across the street from the beach and has excellent views from its upper floors.  Many restaurants are within walking distance and the area is safe. Taxis are available all day and night from the hotel. The rooms are very comfortable and the service is first rate.  We prefer Hilton Hotels.

Joel Barry

[SophieM]

Thank you, Joel!

 

Jane (Sophie was our Lab—Cruise Critic said not to use our real name. That was a creative as I could get at the time. 🤣)

[Mura]

Re Santiago, we were there in January 2002 -- a few years ago -- but we stayed at the Best Western Suites Director, Carmencita 45, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile. This was an apartment hotel and very comfortable, also convenient to everything we wanted to see.

 

When we left the ship we spent a night or two in Vina del Mar, also very enjoyable. A fellow poster had recommended a tour guide who wasn't officially tour guide but who had lived there all his life -- he was a engineer and really did us well for two days. He was young as I recall, but probably not doing so now ... and even if you were to be interested, I doubt his contact info from 2002 is still valid!

 

But check out the Best Western.  It was on a nice quiet street.

 

I just checked and it appears now to be a 45 by Director.  Where paid $100/night in 2002 it now appears rates are about $140/night.  But the website seems to be in Spanish only ...

 

Mura

 

Mura

 

[alcpa1]

We've done the AC in Santiago recently. Our go to hotel, the El Bosque Suites has closed. The staff was very helpful, the rooms were clean, and the location was just fine too.

In Rio we stayed at the Hilton Copacabana. Many cruise lines use this hotel and there really are some very good restaurants within easy and safe walking distances. There are also several groceries, pharmacies and small CVS and Walgreens type stores within a couple of blocks.

[englishlee]

We got back from Santiago last weekend. we stayed at the Le Reve Boutique Hotel and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's small at only 31 rooms but was very central, very well managed and very reasonably priced especially considering breakfast was included. The staff were all excellent and very helpful and friendly.There were a lot of post and pre cruisers staying whilst we were there..

There are a number of restaurants on the same quiet street and many more in the surrounding streets, it's about a 15 minute walk from the Costanera centre and 5-10 minute walk to the nearest metro station.

Possibly most importantly bearing in mind that it hit 37c (100f) whilst we were there was that the AC in the room was excellent.

In Rio we've stayed several times at the PortoBay Rio Internacional. It's on Copacabana Beach almost next door to the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Well positioned, well run, quite reasonable price by Rio standards for a beach hotel. Nice rooftop pool and bar as well (with excellent Caiprinhas).

We'd quite happily stay at both of these hotels again.

[SophieM]

Thank you, Mura, alcpa, and englishlee! I really appreciate your suggestions. 

[tropicalkerry2002]

We also stayed in PortoBay in Rio in 2011. Make sure you go to rooftop for view!~

[SophieM]

And the caipirinhas will surely just add to the gorgeousness of the view!

[englishlee]

1 hour ago, SophieM said:

And the caipirinhas will surely just add to the gorgeousness of the view!

My wifes legs went strangely wobbly after a couple, although she put it down to the spectacular view!

[Hanoverian]

In 2019, we stayed at the Santa Teresa Hotel RJ - MGallery in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, which is a bit artsy and hilly.  Great views from the hotel on high, very nice pool, and a most excellent on-site restaurant for dinner and breakfast.  It is not in the typical tourist hotel area such as the Hilton Copacabana is, so best to consult a map to understand where it is in the city.  If flying into to Rio early in the day, consider hiring a car service such as Blacklane to take you to whatever hotel you choose as morning rush hour in Rio makes the L.A. rush look amateurish.