Departamento Cochoa Reñaca Viña del Mar Primera Línea de Playa

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Okay, so first things first – don’t let the ridiculously long name throw you off. Departamento Cochoa is basically a beachfront apartment that’s been turned into proper accommodation, and honestly? It’s one of those places where the location does most of the heavy lifting, but in the best possible way.

You’re literally on Avenida Borgoño, which if you know Reñaca at all, means you’re about as close to the sand as you can get without actually sleeping on the beach. I mean, we’re talking first-line here – you step out the door and there’s nothing between you and the Pacific except maybe some other people heading to grab empanadas from one of the beachside spots. The apartment itself is pretty solid for what you’re paying, though you know what really surprised me? The parking situation is actually sorted out (space A 174, if you’re keeping track), which is honestly a minor miracle in this part of Viña del Mar during summer. I’ve seen people circle these blocks for hours looking for a spot.

The setup is more home-like than hotel-like, which works really well if you’re planning to spend more than just a night or two. There’s a proper kitchen – not just a mini-fridge and microwave situation – so you can actually hit up the local markets and cook your own stuff. The seafood vendors along Borgoño are incredible, by the way, especially in the mornings when the catch comes in fresh. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night despite being right on the main drag. Sure, you’ll hear some activity from the street during peak season (December through February gets pretty lively), but it’s not the kind of place where you’re dealing with party noise until 4 AM like some of the places closer to the casino district.

The 7.8 rating feels about right – it’s definitely above average but not quite at that level where everything is perfectly polished. The views are genuinely spectacular, especially if you manage to snag a unit facing the ocean, and the whole Reñaca vibe is just different from central Viña del Mar. It’s a bit more relaxed, less touristy in that obvious way, though it definitely gets busy on weekends when Santiago folks come down for the day. The beach right in front is actually pretty decent for swimming – better than some of the rockier stretches you’ll find if you head north toward Concón. Plus, you’re close enough to walk to the good restaurants but far enough from the main tourist chaos that you feel like you’re getting a more authentic slice of Chilean beach life. If you’re looking for something that feels less like a standard hotel stay and more like temporarily living somewhere pretty special, this place delivers on that front.