Precruise - Santiago - Help Me Decide!

[MLinFL]

We are in the process of booking a precruise trip for a couple of days prior to our cruise on the Millennium on 2/5/06.

 

We are flying into Santiago. I am trying to decide if I should stay 2 nights at the Ritz Carlton OR 1 night at the Ritz Carlton and 1 night at the Hotel Del Mar. I thought if I stayed at the Hotel Del Mar I would be closer to the pier for embarkation. Does anyone know how far it is from Vina del Mar to the pier in Valpariaso?

 

For those of you who have done this trip already, which would you choose?

 

I'd appreciate all opinions.

 

Thanks,

 

Mary Lou

[BOHEMIO]

I recommend him to spend one night in Santiago is a safe city and fascinating in the night. You can do a night tour for city watching Santiago from hill San Cristobal and to see the illuminated city, is an excellent spectacle, also you can go to eat in some restaurant and you can see a demonstration of national and Polynesian, I recommend to you "Balli Hai" restaurant,

 

In Viña del Mar, The Hotel del Mar, is the best Hotel of the city, with a privileged location, in the way beach border.

 

This hotel is next at Main Casino of the country, Viña del Mar is a Beautiful city with very modern buildings and harmonic with the nature. Near the hotel is the Vergara wharf, is east place has restaurants and much commerce of crafts.

 

From the city where this the hotel until the wharf are 20 minutes approximate

[digby]

We stayed at the Ritz last December for two nights before a cruise. It is a wonderful hotel and very reasonable if you book it yourself on line rather than booking it through the cruise line. Their conciere made arrangements to get the four of us to the port for about $15.00 per person.

[NewCruiseFan]

I did the Santiago to BA cruise late last year and stayed a few days in Valpo. Here's how I decided not to do more than a half day tour in Santiago.

 

Santiago is a large, busy city; I live in a big city and have had the pleasure of visiting many big cities, having found that many are similar I opted for a tour and time at the beach and in the wine country.

 

I was then in December when it was very hot, humid and smoggy. For me, the tour and then out to the beach was perfect.

 

I found a lovely botanical garden in Vina, great shopping, an amazing beach, and terrific restaurants. In Valpo I visited the Naval history museum, a few of the acensores and sat on a wonderful balcony at sunset watching the sun setting into the South Pacific while imbibing some wonderful drink.

[Smooth Sailing]

We are in the process of booking a precruise trip for a couple of days prior to our cruise on the Millennium on 2/5/06.

 

We are flying into Santiago. I am trying to decide if I should stay 2 nights at the Ritz Carlton OR 1 night at the Ritz Carlton and 1 night at the Hotel Del Mar. I thought if I stayed at the Hotel Del Mar I would be closer to the pier for embarkation. Does anyone know how far it is from Vina del Mar to the pier in Valpariaso?

 

For those of you who have done this trip already, which would you choose?

 

I'd appreciate all opinions.

 

Thanks,

 

Mary Lou

We stayed at the Hotel Del Mar last January and loved the hotel and Vina del Mar - it is a very short cab ride to the port, 5 or 10 minutes - but, they will charge you $20.00.

[aanselm]

My vote is for a night in each. Both wonderful hotels, both fabulous locations with their own unique charms. My vote is for the best of both worlds.

 

Either way,

Happy Sailing!!