Mandarin Oriental, Santiago

[highplanesdrifters]

As promised here are a few bits about the hotel and transfer from Valparaiso. 

 

We are here for 4 days have really enjoyed out stay so far. The critiques are just a heads up. There are still some post covid staffing issues, please be patient.

 

We took a private transfer from Valparaiso and arrived after one of the busses around noon. Even though there were only a few people in line, check at the Silversea desk took 30 minutes. Some MO staff were less than competent. Find the competent person and make friends. 😉  Most rooms were ready. Ours was not ready till 3:30. We upgraded to a Terrace suite. Well worth the money and wait. Luggage is an issue. Quite the scrum. Some delivered to wrong rooms. But, the Bellman were fantastic given the circumstances.

 

TIP: Keep your luggage with you, or collect it before you go to your room.

 

The hotel is servicing Silversea, Lindblad, and Hurtigruten.  It can be chaotic in lobby with multiple ships, and service at restaurantscan be slow. 

 

Silversea has its set up in the main lobby.  The tables are full of delucious fruit drinks and water when processing ships. 

 

FOOD

Matsuri - Japanese Peruvian fussion. OUTSTANDING!  Make a reservation before you arrive. 

 

Senso - Italian  Quite good.

 

Breakfast Buffet - Can be quite busy and food sometimes not replenished.  Lots of pastries and breads. Fruit, OK. Hot food mediocre. You can order, but sometimes takes forever.

 

We didn't find any interesting restaurants nearby.  The nearby mall had plenty, but a bit of a scene and a lot of chains. Perhaps others did and can chime in.

 

Uber - we couldn't get ours to function. But didn't try very hard you might have better luck. Most Taxis only operate on Apps.

 

We did head over to El Golf area one day to eat at Pizzeria Tiramisu. One of our favorite pizza/Italian restaurants. It's right near the W Hotel. The street is packed with great restaurants. The area lovely for walking.

 

Parque Arauco Shopping Mall

It is a 5 minute walk from MO.

It is large and full of international chain stores. There are lots of chain restaurants. We did find a wine store and a luxury store selling Baby Alpaca called Kuna. Mission accomplished! Otherwise I see no reason to go there.

You can also catch the Hop on Hop off bus here. It's right by the entrance to the parking garage before you get to the mall. If anyone wants more details on Bus stops just yell and I'll post.

 

The hotel pool area and grounds are beautiful. Lovely to refresh after a day of walking or touring, or just post cruise chill. But again, can be busy.

 

 

Terrace suite and room service. Worth every penny with great views of Andes.

 

Room service fun.

 

 

The Pre Cloumbian Museum only had one floor open. Worth the $8 admission, or trip to the bathroom🤣

 

 

 

 

Inca Knots

 

Plaza de Armas and area

 

 

 

 

 

Street Art

 

 

 

 

 

[alithecat]

@highplanesdriftersThanks for the hotel info.. Does Silversea have a reception or dinner on the last evening before you fly to meet the cruise ship? 

[Silver Spectre]

16 minutes ago, alithecat said:

@highplanesdriftersThanks for the hotel info.. Does Silversea have a reception or dinner on the last evening before you fly to meet the cruise ship? 

I think you will find that he just got off the Wind!

[alithecat]

10 minutes ago, Silver Spectre said:

I think you will find that he just got off the Wind!

My mistake. If anyone else is on their way to Antarctica and can answer this, please do so.

[cruiseej]

@highplanesdrifters Thanks so much for taking time to post information about the MO. We'll be there in just over three weeks. (It seems like it's been years in the planning... maybe because we originally booked more than three years ago!) 

 

You mentioned upgrading to a Terrace suite. Did SS provide a basic room, and you paid for an upgraded room? (If so, did you do this in advance, or at the time of check-in? And if you don't mind sharing, what was the daily cost for the upgraded room?) Or did you book your room for the  4 days at the MO on your own? 

[RetiredandTravel]

Very interesting thread thanks

[Silver Spectre]

Also thanks @highplanesdrifters, does the suite have a tub?

[Rama04]

I can’t wait for your antártica cruise review!!!

especially highlights and tips for a first time

silver sea cruiser. And the flight to puerto Williams too :)

[highplanesdrifters]

16 hours ago, cruiseej said:

@highplanesdrifters Thanks so much for taking time to post information about the MO. We'll be there in just over three weeks. (It seems like it's been years in the planning... maybe because we originally booked more than three years ago!) 

 

You mentioned upgrading to a Terrace suite. Did SS provide a basic room, and you paid for an upgraded room? (If so, did you do this in advance, or at the time of check-in? And if you don't mind sharing, what was the daily cost for the upgraded room?) Or did you book your room for the  4 days at the MO on your own? 

It's complicated, but Ill try to explain. We had booked multiple reservations in advance when prices were low and also because SS didn't release hotel info until weeks before departure.  SS paid for a basic room for one night. Our group booked for 3 additional nights.  Our TA found our friends an executive suite, buy 2 nights get one free for $296 per night . Upon check in, the MO graciously upgraded them to an executive suite on their SS night. We were told the Tetrace would be an additional $500 to upgrade. Àt checkout, we got a $400 a night rate on the Terrace suite. Crazy number.  It was originally booked for $650 a night for the three non SS nights. I don't know how they came up with the final number, but I didn't complain. They also sent us a bottle of Champagne every night. We were pampered and I'm not sure why. 😁

 

In the US a suite like this would easily go for $1,500 plus a night. 

 

The Terrace suite does have a large tub. We really spent a lot of time lounging on the terrace and cocktails with friends. Lovely view of the Andes and peaceful.  We could see the pool and would pop down for a few hours and a swim when it wasn't too crowded.

 

Our last day, which was a Monday the hotel was empty.  No weddings, no cruise ships. Total Bliss.

[highplanesdrifters]

Sorry folks, no current info on Antarctica flights. We just got off the Wind. I suggest you check out previous threads, but do remember,  things have changed so much. 

[highplanesdrifters]

To all heading to Antarctica:  Be very excited. You are going to have the most amazing time of your life.

 

On another thread there was discussion of the AA lounge in Santiago. It is correct, there is none. However, AA does provide access to Pacifico Lounge for Biz class. It is not really a lounge, but a crowded fluorescent place with tables.  Avoid.   

 

SCL departure. We were advised that with Biz class we would not need a lot of time at the airport.  WRONG!  Lines were long everywhere. We allowed 3 hours and were glad we did.

[caledonmango]

Thanks, this is so helpful. We will be there next week before leaving for Antarctica, and will definitely try the Pizzeria Tiramisu.  Silly question, but are we safe to eat the lettuce salads there? We’re really careful about using only bottled water.  I know the hotels are generally safe for ice, etc, but just wondering about restaurants.

[highplanesdrifters]

On 11/22/2022 at 5:37 AM, highplanesdrifters said:

It was originally booked for $650 a night for

Correction, the terrace suite was originally booked for $550 a night. Typo.

[highplanesdrifters]

9 hours ago, caledonmango said:

Thanks, this is so helpful. We will be there next week before leaving for Antarctica, and will definitely try the Pizzeria Tiramisu.  Silly question, but are we safe to eat the lettuce salads there? We’re really careful about using only bottled water.  I know the hotels are generally safe for ice, etc, but just wondering about restaurants.

No silly questions, especially when it come to health safety.  We drank bottled water but were told by the MO that we could drink tap.  MO  provides lots of bottled water so no need to search. We ate plenty of salads and had ice cubes in our drinks. That being said one person in our party became extremely ill with food poisoning symptoms when we got to the airport.  Somehow she pulled it together and we got her home, whew.  No way to know the culprit, could happen anywhere. 

 

Tiramisu also has an extensive Italian menu. Top 10 pizza in the world for me.  Yeasty bubbly crust with quality ingredients.  Their salad verde is large, fresh, and great for sharing. As mentioned earlier you'll need an app to catch a taxi in most zones.   We went to the W hotel (across the street) to catch a taxi back to MO. We were able to score the hotels van for $15.

 

Another note on Santiago.  It is a clean modern metropolitan city. Many areas are safe and walkable. Like any major city, the downtown area around Plaza de Armas has some issues with pickpockets, and of course the bird poop scam. Just ask the concierge or bellman about the area you want to visit. It is one of our favorite international cities. Lots of open space, wonderful food and people.

 

You will have an amazing trip! 

[caledonmango]

Thanks so much. We will ask the concierge what taxi app to download. Since we have 3 days I think we will do the HOHO bus day 1 (glad we can just walk to it), and book a Valparaiso tour one day, and a winery tour the last day. Will probably just book with Viator as they all sound very similar. I’ve been looking forward to this since January and really hope to see a penguin. Glad you enjoyed your trip. It’s so wonderful to finally be traveling again!

[taxatty]

On 11/21/2022 at 9:34 AM, highplanesdrifters said:

 

FOOD

Matsuri - Japanese Peruvian fussion. OUTSTANDING!  Make a reservation before you arrive. 

 

 

Another vote for the Matsuri restaurant at the MO--superb, very creative food, prices weren't cheap but reasonable for what you get, and nice tables overlooking the pool area. 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

 

16 hours ago, caledonmango said:

and book a Valparaiso tour one day,

FWIW, we drove around Valparaiso on our way to Santiago, and we are not in any hurry to go back. Vina del Mar a bit north is the luxury area of weekend condos. Unless there is something specific you want to see there I think there are better options. Perhaps others have a different take. Lots to see in Santiago without all the road time.  Consider a trip up to Inca Lake in the Andes. If you do go, report back we got lazy.😁

 

You want PENGUINS? You're guaranteed Penguins and lots of them.

 

Chilean Base

 

Who has the right of way?

 

 

South Georgia

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gnome12]

@highplanesdrifters

Loved the penguin videos and pictures!

[Lauranne]

@highplanesdrifters

Did you receive any Fans of MO benefits. It seems that you have to book directly to get most benefits but hoping that at least wifi is complementary. 

Edited November 24, 2022 by Lauranne

[highplanesdrifters]

18 hours ago, Lauranne said:

@highplanesdrifters

Did you receive any Fans of MO benefits. It seems that you have to book directly to get most benefits but hoping that at least wifi is complementary. 

I believe wifi is free, at least our was. Fans of MO get breakfast included. Silversea had it's own room for breakfast. We got there late and it was slim pickings. The other mornings we ate at the MO breakfast buffet which was a mixed bag except for the final day when the hotel was empty.

 

We booked through our TA and had the benefits. 

[highplanesdrifters]

On 11/24/2022 at 8:51 AM, taxatty said:

Another vote for the Matsuri restaurant at the MO--superb, very creative food, prices weren't cheap but reasonable for what you get, and nice tables overlooking the pool .

Any other activities or restaurant suggestions? We're headed back next year. 

[safarigal]

Word to the wise. Do NOT drink a Peruvian Pisco Sour by the MO pool after an overnight flight from Dallas. It tastes great, but there goes the rest of your evening. 

[highplanesdrifters]

15 minutes ago, safarigal said:

Word to the wise. Do NOT drink a Peruvian Pisco Sour by the MO pool after an overnight flight from Dallas. It tastes great, but there goes the rest of your evening. 

Unless of course you drink 4 Pisco Sours. 🤣

[taxatty]

2 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Any other activities or restaurant suggestions? We're headed back next year. 

That's the only place we ate in Santiago on our trip due to the COVID restrictions then in effect, but the menu for the other MO restaurant looked good, and room service produced a very good burger.

[MamaFej]

On 11/22/2022 at 4:48 AM, highplanesdrifters said:

To all heading to Antarctica:  Be very excited. You are going to have the most amazing time of your life.

 

On another thread there was discussion of the AA lounge in Santiago. It is correct, there is none. However, AA does provide access to Pacifico Lounge for Biz class. It is not really a lounge, but a crowded fluorescent place with tables.  Avoid.   

 

SCL departure. We were advised that with Biz class we would not need a lot of time at the airport.  WRONG!  Lines were long everywhere. We allowed 3 hours and were glad we did.

What time of day was your flight? We are planning on arriving at 8:30pm for an 11:35pm overnight flight to Mexico City. I'm wondering if we need to rethink that. We have flown into, but not out of SCL before. 

 

Thanks for any insight you can offer.