Hotel Cumbres Lastarria

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to Hotel Cumbres Lastarria – the entrance is pretty understated for a five-star place, tucked right into the historic Lastarria neighborhood like it’s been there forever. But the moment you step inside, you get it. The lobby has this warm, sophisticated vibe that feels more like a well-appointed private residence than a corporate hotel, and the staff actually remembers your name after the first day (which, let’s be real, doesn’t happen everywhere).

What really sold me on this place is how perfectly it sits in the neighborhood. You’re literally steps away from Cerro Santa Lucía – I mean, you can see the hill from some of the upper floor rooms, and it’s maybe a two-minute walk to start climbing those winding paths. The Lastarria area itself is fantastic for wandering around, especially in the evenings when the little cafés and wine bars start filling up with locals. There’s this amazing bookstore, Metales Pesados, just around the corner that stays open late, and honestly, I spent way too much time there with a coffee from the hotel’s room service. Speaking of which – the rooms are spacious by Santiago standards, with these huge windows that actually open (thank goodness, because some hotels here keep you sealed in). The beds are legitimately comfortable, not just hotel-marketing comfortable, and the bathrooms have proper water pressure, which you can’t always count on in this part of the city.

The service hits that sweet spot where they’re attentive without being hovering – they’ll arrange dinner reservations at places that are actually worth going to, not just tourist traps. I had them book a table at Boragó (which is admittedly a splurge, but when in Santiago…) and they somehow got me in on short notice. The hotel restaurant itself is solid too, especially for breakfast – they do this incredible palta toast that’s way better than it has any right to be. One small thing that impressed me: the concierge actually warned me about the construction happening near Plaza Italia during my stay, so I knew to avoid that area during rush hour. You know what though, if you’re planning to rent a car, parking can be a bit of a puzzle in Lastarria – the hotel has valet service, but honestly, you’re better off just using Uber or the metro since you’re so close to Universidad Católica station. The neighborhood gets lively on weekends (which is great if you want energy, less great if you’re trying to sleep with the windows open), but the rooms facing the interior courtyard are surprisingly quiet.