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Hotel Review: Ritz-Carlton, Santiago (Renovated!)

ByDW
The image shows a modern hotel room with a neatly made bed. The bed has white linens and several decorative pillows in shades of blue and white. There are two wooden nightstands on either side of the bed, each with a lamp. The headboard features a blue panel with decorative wooden latticework on both sides. In front of the bed is a cushioned bench. The room has light-colored walls and a door to the left, partially open, with a person standing near it. The floor is covered with a patterned carpet.

This past December my wife and I had the pleasure of a two night stay at the mostly newly renovated Ritz-Carlton, Santiago… and this is our story… dun dun!

The Booking

As a part of my sign-up for the Chase issued Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit card (not subject to Chase 5/24 btw…), I received 2 free night certificates to be redeem at any Tier 1-4 Ritz-Carlton property. Rather than break my back seeking out the most valuable Tier 4 redemption on the planet (in order to maximize the certificate value),  I decided to use these certificates at a property I already planned to stay at during my trip to Santiago. And it ended up saving me the $300×2 nightly expense!

A hand is holding a black card with the text "THE RITZ-CARLTON REWARDS" and "THE RITZ-CARLTON" along with a lion logo. The card also has a chip and the name "WINTER" printed on it. The background is a wooden surface.

Note: If you do not have free night certificates and would like to pay cash, the average nightly rate for the Tier 2 property in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards property is about $250-$350. If it is a points redemption you seek, a room can be yours for just 40,000 Marriott Rewards points (or 14,000 Starpoints transferred into Marriott Rewards at a 1:3 ratio).

The Exterior/Entrance

The hotel building is located in the El Golf neighborhood of Santiago and is rectangular structure with a unique half-domed windowed roof.

The image shows the exterior of a multi-story building with a sign that reads "The Ritz-Carlton" above the entrance. The building has a brick facade with numerous windows and is surrounded by trees. The sky is clear and blue.

We decided to rent a car for our time in Santiago, and had a pretty easy time locating the hotel ourselves. There is overnight parking near the hotel, but the hotel offers a complimentary valet service, which was super convenient and affordable… ya know… considering it was free and all!

Once inside, the lobby has a classic (aka dated) Ritz-Carlton feel… While the property has been undergoing renovations, they have not yet extended to the front lobby, though we were told it was one of the next projects in line…

The image shows a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the center of an elegant, spacious lobby. The tree is adorned with lights, ornaments, and surrounded by wrapped presents at its base. The lobby features polished floors, wooden paneling, and a large chandelier hanging above the tree. There are comfortable seating areas with green armchairs and tables around the perimeter of the lobby. The overall ambiance is warm and festive. The image shows the interior of a hotel lobby. The lobby features polished floors and dark wooden paneling on the walls. There is a reception desk in the background with a lamp and a framed painting behind it. A person is standing at the reception desk, and another person is seen near a wall on the left side of the image. The lighting is warm and the overall atmosphere appears to be elegant and welcoming.

The image shows a luxurious, warmly lit room with elegant wooden furniture and decor. There are several comfortable armchairs and sofas arranged around a central coffee table, with table lamps providing soft lighting. The walls are lined with wooden bookshelves filled with books and decorative items. The room has a classic, sophisticated ambiance, with a patterned carpet and framed artwork on the walls. The image shows an elegantly furnished living room with a classic, luxurious design. The room features several upholstered chairs and sofas in red and beige tones, arranged around a wooden coffee table. There are multiple table lamps with striped shades providing warm lighting. The walls are adorned with dark wood paneling, and the windows are dressed with heavy curtains in gold and red hues. The carpet has a detailed, intricate pattern that complements the overall decor. The room exudes a cozy and sophisticated ambiance.

The Check-in

Our flight into Santiago from Miami arrived around 8am, and by the time we arrived at the hotel to check-in, it was closer to about 10am morning.

My fear that a room would not be ready for our early arrival was realized, but we were granted access to the spa on the top floor where we could freshen up after the overnight flight!

The image shows an indoor pool area with a high, curved glass ceiling that allows natural light to flood the space. There are several lounge chairs lined up along the left side of the pool, and a few potted plants are placed around the area. The pool is on the right side, and the overall atmosphere appears to be calm and inviting, suitable for relaxation. The image shows an indoor pool area with a high, arched glass ceiling allowing natural light to flood the space. The pool is on the left side, and there are several lounge chairs on the right side. The area is decorated with potted plants and has a modern, luxurious feel. In the background, there is an open doorway leading to an outdoor area.

The image shows a rooftop terrace with modern outdoor furniture, including round chairs and a cushioned lounge chair. The terrace overlooks a cityscape with various buildings, including high-rise structures. In the background, there are mountains under a clear blue sky. The image shows a cityscape with several modern high-rise buildings under a clear blue sky. The buildings vary in architectural styles and heights, with some having glass facades. In the background, there are hills with sparse vegetation. The foreground includes a mix of residential and commercial buildings, along with some greenery. The overall scene suggests a bustling urban area on a bright, sunny day.

After a quick shower, we checked our bags with the bellman and took off to explore the city!

The Remodeled Room

We were booked into a Club King room on the 10th floor with a view overlooking the Las Condes Municipal Theatre and Av. Apoquindo (street).

The Ritz-Carlton just completed the full redesign of 205 guest rooms & suites, meaning as of our check-in on December 27, 2017, we we guaranteed a brand new, refreshed and redesigned room!

Just for comparison sake, here is the BEFORE:

The image shows a well-furnished hotel room at The Ritz-Carlton in Santiago. The room features a large bed with white linens and multiple pillows, a beige throw blanket, and a padded bench at the foot of the bed. On either side of the bed are nightstands with lamps. The room also includes a comfortable armchair, a small table with another lamp, and a window with patterned curtains. The window offers a view of a cityscape at night. The walls are decorated with framed artwork.

Check out Magic of Miles for more another review and more “BEFORE” shots of the guestrooms.

And here is the AFTER!

The image shows a modern hotel room with a large bed on the left side, adorned with multiple pillows and a padded headboard. Next to the bed is a nightstand with a lamp. In the middle of the room, there is a comfortable-looking chaise lounge with several cushions, positioned near a window with curtains. A small coffee table is placed in front of the chaise lounge. On the right side of the room, there is a desk with a chair, and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The room has a clean, contemporary design with neutral colors and soft lighting.

The image shows a neatly made bed with white linens and several pillows, including two decorative pillows with blue and gray stripes. The bed has a wooden headboard with a blue panel. On either side of the bed are wooden nightstands, each with a lamp and some items, such as a clock and a phone. The room has a modern and clean design.

The image shows a well-lit hotel room with a large bed in the center. The bed has white linens and several decorative pillows in shades of blue and white. There are two wooden nightstands on either side of the bed, each with a lamp. The headboard is a combination of wood and a blue panel. The room has light-colored walls and a carpeted floor. There is a bench at the foot of the bed. The image shows a wooden bedside table next to a bed with white sheets and a light blue pillow. On the table, there is a lamp with a white shade, a telephone, and a notepad with a pen. The headboard of the bed has a decorative pattern, and the wall behind the table is light-colored.

The image shows a modern, well-lit hotel room with a large bed on the left side, adorned with white linens and multiple pillows in shades of blue and gray. There are two wooden nightstands on either side of the bed, each with a lamp. The wall behind the bed features a decorative blue panel flanked by textured panels. On the right side of the room, there is a white chaise lounge with several pillows in blue and brown tones. Above the chaise lounge, three spherical pendant lights hang from the ceiling. The room has a clean and contemporary design. The image shows a modern, well-lit hotel room with a minimalist design. There is a chaise lounge with several cushions in front of a large window with sheer curtains. To the left of the chaise lounge, there is a wooden nightstand with a lamp and some items on it. Above the chaise lounge, three spherical pendant lights hang from the ceiling. The room has light-colored walls and a wooden floor.

The look is modern, clean and a bit metallic. It is much improved from the look of the past and was a pleasant surprise as I expected to encounter the old dated rooms I saw during my research of previous hotel reviews on this property.

The image shows a modern, minimalist workspace. There is a wooden desk with a blue chair in front of it. On the desk, there is a black desk lamp, a telephone, a notepad, and a pen. Above the desk, a framed picture is hanging on the wall. To the right of the desk, there is a wooden cabinet with decorative vases and a small glass bottle on top. A flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall to the right of the cabinet. The overall setting is clean and organized.

A modern hotel room with a large bed on the right side, covered in white linens. On the left side, there is a wooden console table with decorative vases and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall above it. The room has light-colored walls and a wooden floor. There is a door in the background, and a luggage rack is placed near the door.

The image shows a hallway with light-colored walls and wooden flooring. At the end of the hallway, there is a closed door with a small window. On the right side of the hallway, there is a large mirror. The left side of the hallway has a handrail. The overall setting appears to be clean and well-lit. The image shows an open mini-fridge stocked with various beverages. On the top shelf inside the fridge, there are several bottles of sparkling water and a can of Red Bull. The middle shelf contains multiple cans of soda. The door of the fridge has a small bottle of water, a small bottle of juice, and two bottles of wine or champagne. The fridge is situated in a wooden cabinet.

The image shows a section of a room with a wooden cabinet against a beige wall. On top of the cabinet, there is a bottle of wine, a wine glass, a small box, and a book or magazine. To the left, there is a closed door with a louvered design. The room appears to be well-lit and has a modern, clean aesthetic.

And the bathroom experienced a refresh as well!

The image shows a modern bathroom with a vanity area. The vanity has a marble countertop with a sink, and there is a large mirror above it. The vanity has several drawers and open shelves, with white towels neatly placed on the shelves. There is a black trash bin on the floor under the vanity. The bathroom has light-colored walls and a door that appears to lead to a shower area on the right side. The overall design is clean and contemporary.

The image shows a modern bathroom with a well-lit vanity area on the left, featuring a large mirror, a sink, and a countertop with various items. To the right, there is a glass-enclosed shower with a showerhead and a small shelf holding toiletries. The bathroom has a neutral color scheme with beige and white tones, and there is a door with louvered panels in the center of the image.

The image shows a bathroom countertop with a sink in the center. On the left side of the countertop, there is a tray holding neatly folded white towels and some toiletries. On the right side, there is a tissue box and a small stack of soap bars. The countertop is clean and well-organized, and there is a large mirror above the sink. The image shows a neatly arranged set of bathroom amenities on a tray. The tray contains a frosted glass, a tube of lotion or cream, a small bottle of liquid (possibly shampoo or conditioner), and a folded white towel. Below these items, there are several boxes lined up, likely containing additional toiletries such as soap, shower caps, or other personal care items. The overall setup appears to be from a hotel or a guest bathroom.

The image shows a modern shower area with beige tiled walls. There is a round showerhead mounted on the wall, and a small metal shelf below it holding a couple of small bottles. The lighting is warm, giving the space a clean and inviting appearance. The image shows a bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower. There is a white bathrobe hanging on a hook on the wall to the right of the shower. To the left of the shower, there is a door with a louvered panel. The walls are painted in a neutral color, and the overall design of the bathroom appears modern and clean.

The image shows a clean, modern bathroom with a white bathtub. The bathtub is built into a tiled alcove with beige and brown tiles. There is a white towel draped over the side of the tub and a folded towel placed on the edge. A small bottle of bath product is also visible on the edge of the tub. The bathroom has a neutral color scheme with a textured wall. The image shows three purple tubes of Asprey Purple Water toiletries placed on a metal shelf. The products include shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. The background appears to be a tiled wall, likely in a bathroom setting.

The Fitness Center

Housed on the top floor near the pool and spa facilities, the fitness center area was small, but had enough equipment to get a good sweat going!

The image shows a modern gym with large, curved windows offering a view of a cityscape with tall buildings. Inside the gym, there are various pieces of exercise equipment, including stationary bikes, treadmills, a weight bench, and a rack of dumbbells. The gym has a wooden floor and is well-lit with natural light coming through the windows. The image shows a modern gym with various exercise equipment, including weight machines, treadmills, and free weights. The gym has a high, curved glass ceiling that allows natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The equipment is neatly arranged, and the overall environment appears clean and well-maintained.

The image shows a modern gym with large, curved windows allowing natural light to fill the space. The gym is equipped with various exercise machines, including stationary bikes, weight benches, a rack of dumbbells, and a cable machine. The wooden floor and the bright, airy atmosphere create a welcoming environment for workouts. In the background, a cityscape is visible through the windows.

There were only two treadmills – one of which was out of service – so instead of the fitness center, we decided to head outside for a run down in the Balmaceda Park along the Mapocho River.

The Club Lounge

The remodeled lounge is located on the same floor as our room (the 10th floor), but our Marriott Gold status did not grant us access.

The image shows a well-lit, carpeted hallway in a hotel or apartment building. The walls are painted in a light color and have decorative paneling. There are several closed doors along the hallway, each with a door number. The ceiling has recessed lighting, and at the end of the hallway, there is a window allowing natural light to enter. The image shows a long, well-lit hallway with beige walls and a light-colored carpet. The ceiling has recessed lighting and decorative molding. The hallway appears to be in a hotel or an upscale building, with a window at the far end letting in natural light.

The image shows the entrance to a lounge area, labeled "Club Lounge" on a sign to the right of the glass doors. The lounge has a sophisticated and elegant interior with modern decor, including chandeliers, a patterned rug, and stylish furniture. The room is well-lit and appears to be a comfortable and upscale space for relaxation or socializing.

If this were a paid stay I would have been able to redeem one of my club level upgrades (a benefit of the Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card), but since I redeemed free night certificates, we were on the outside looking in!

The Dining

Marriott Gold status did not provide us with any form of free breakfast, so we skipped the breakfast offering. I did happen to see the buffet spread as I grabbed coffee one morning, and it looked plentiful and delicious. But, it probably wasn’t not worth the price tag unless you are a big breakfast eater!

Final Thought

The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago is worth a visit – you will not be disappointed! The hotel did a fantastic job on the recent room renovations and it was just the refresh that the property needed! At $250-$300 a night (or 40,000 Marriott Rewards, or Ritz-Carlton free night certificates), the property provides a good value and I would recommend a stay next time you find yourself in Santiago!

Happy Travels!

DW

The image shows a simple white line drawing of a paper airplane inside a blue circle.

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