Mar Del Plata 2171, Santiago, Chile | (562) 796-6900
Free breakfast
Spacious rooms have hardwood floors
Rooms have mini-fridges
Pretty courtyard area with tiny pool
On-site restaurant has modern outdoor seating
Free Wi-Fi
No coffeemaker -- instant coffee and tea provided
Bathrooms look a bit dingy
Fee for parking
From the outside, the Bonaparte Hotel resembles a grand old mansion -- until you look another direction and see the clearly renovated portions that stick out sorely from the building's historical style. Inside, the decor is a hodgepodge of styles as well -- some good, some bad. Everything else at Bonaparte follows that same ho-hum theme. The pool is located in a pretty courtyard but is more decorative than functional. Rooms are decently outfitted with comfy-enough beds and flat-screen TVs, but the decor has little personality. The location is generally desirable, but the distance from public transport is a detractor.
Location
In the neighborhood of Providencia
Hotel Bonaparte is located in the neighborhood of Providencia, a busy, slightly bohemian area with lots of pubs and cafes. It is near the base of Cerro San Cristobal hill, where travelers can ride the funicular to great views of Santiago. The hotel is unfortunately a bit farther from public transport than is convenient -- being a 17-minute walk from the nearest subway stop.
Santiago has long been known as a stopover city used only for connections to other more exciting sites in South America, but in the last 15 years it has gained ground as a sophisticated metropolis. A purely economic and political center for Chile has given way to increasingly respected dining, great shopping, and lots of bike paths. With a decent underground system, a competitive nightlife, and proximity to the Andes for skiing, Santiago has a lot to offer.