Atton Santiago El Bosque by AccorHotels

Housed in an 18-story tower in the financial district of Santiago, the Atton Hotel El Bosque is rather generic inside and out. With a concrete structure and blue-tinted windows on both sides, the building is similar to most others in the area, while big concrete pillars, plain off-white tiles, and an orange-and-gray palette make the lobby feel a tad cold and impersonal. Though the hotel lacks style throughout, it does have a few great perks that add some appeal, including a rooftop pool with panoramic city views, and a lovely garden full of plants and comfortable seating under umbrellas. Due to the hotel’s location and amenities, most guests are businesspeople, but large rooms, a pool, and proximity to the metro make it a good pick for couples and families as well. Travelers seeking something a tad more upscale in the same area may want to compare rates at the NH Collection Plaza Santiago, which offers newer rooms with better bathrooms, a larger pool, and a small spa. Departamentos Amoblados Costa Nueva de Lyon is a good alternative for couples and families on a tighter budget, as it features furnished apartments with kitchens, and a pleasant rooftop pool. In the same price range as the Atton Hotel El Bosque but closer to main attractions, Hotel Ismael 312 offers similar rooms plus a rooftop pool in a more casual, friendly atmosphere. 

The hotel is located on a wide one-way street in El Golf neighborhood of Santiago’s financial district. While this setting is better suited for business travelers with meetings in the area than for leisure visitors, the property is located a three-minute walk from Tobalaba metro station, offering easy access to more central areas. One of the top attractions in the area is Costanera mall, home to tons of international stores, many restaurants, a movie theater, and Sky Costanera -- Latin America’s highest viewpoint. Metropolitan Park, a huge green area with a cable car and 360-degree views, can be reached in about 25 minutes on foot. The rest of the city’s main attractions, however, are about a half-hour metro ride away, including Plaza de Armas, Palacio de La Moneda, La Chascona, Cerro Santa Lucia, and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. The hotel is a 25-minute drive from Santiago International Airport. Airport transfers are available for a fee.

The hotel has 240 air-conditioned rooms, all with large windows, and some offering panoramic city views. Decor is chain-like and somewhat plain, with a subdued neutral-tone palette, dark-wood furniture, and wall-to-wall carpeting in chocolate hues. Bare walls make rooms a tad cold, though reading lights add warmth. Dark-brown accent walls hung with small paintings are stylish elements only available in Junior Suites. Beds get good reviews from past guests, and feature thick duvets, four pillows each, and quality mattresses. Additionally, rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, and flat-screen TVs. Junior Suites are the only room type outfitted with electric kettles. Bathrooms are clean but feel older than bedrooms. All have cream-colored tiles throughout, shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, and basic hairdryers. Toiletries in small containers are also provided. A number of wheelchair-accessible Standard Queen rooms are available, complete with roll-in showers, wider doorways, and lower sinks. 

Located on the 18th floor, the rooftop pool is pleasant and sunny. It is better suited for a quick dip than for laps, but the deck offers panoramic city views and several loungers. The water is not heated. The gym’s blue linoleum floor is old and drab, there are no free weights, and the machines aren’t the latest technology, but there are enough cardio and strength-training machines for a full workout, and floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views. A free breakfast of coffee, tea, pastries, breads, ham, and cheese is served daily, but some guests have complained that it becomes repetitive after a couple of days. The restaurant also serves average Chilean-Peruvian cuisine for lunch and dinner, and provides room service during opening hours. The dining room is spacious and offers direct access to a lovely patio with tons of plants, several tables, and cozy nooks with lounge furniture. The hotel also features several meeting rooms -- including one with large windows offering panoramic city views -- outfitted with audiovisual equipment. Catering and meeting planners are available on request. The business center has four PCs and a printer that guests can use free of charge. On-site parking is free.