Tips on Accommodations

It is imperative that you consider Chile's high season when planning your trip, as prices are sky-high and reservations are hard to come by without advance planning. High season runs from December 15 to the end of February, Easter week, and for 2 weeks around the middle of July, and hotels in tourist regions may extend their high season to include November and March. Some hotels drop their prices by as much as 50% in the off season. Hotel price ranges listed in this guidebook reflect low to high season.

The prices listed in this guide are also rack rates -- that is, a hotel's standard or advertised rate. Don't be shy about negotiating a discount with a hotel. Owners are accustomed to paying a 20% commission to tour operators, so they will often consider dropping the price slightly during the off season (or for multiple-day stays). Alternately, check a hotel's website or simply ask if there is a promotion or package deal being offered that you're not aware of.

A sales tactic that is creeping its way into the cheap hotelier's lingo is the "bed-and-breakfast," but don't buy it. The term is redundant because every hotel, with the exception of the dirt-cheap hostel, includes breakfast in its price. Expect a continental breakfast at inexpensive and moderately priced hotels and an "American" or buffet breakfast at larger, high-end hotels.

Hotel Options

Hotels & Hosterias -- An hostería is a guesthouse or hotel attended by its owner, typically found in a country setting.

Apart-Hotel -- This amalgam is exactly what it implies: an "apartment-hotel," or a hotel room with an additional living area and kitchen. Found primarily in Santiago and other large cities, they offer a wider range of services than a cabaña. Some are bargains for their price and come with maid service. However, some are nothing more than a hotel room with a kitchenette tucked into a random corner.

Cabañas -- Cabañas are a versatile lodging option. They are commonly found in resort areas and are popular with families and travelers seeking an independent unit. They resemble cabins or chalets and range from bare-bones to deluxe, although all come with fully equipped kitchens, and most have maid service.

Residenciales & Hostels -- These lodging options are for budget travelers. Residenciales are private homes whose owners rent out rooms, and they range from simple, clean rooms with a private or shared bathroom to ugly flats with creepy bathrooms. In towns that see more tourists, a hostel can be a hip and very comfortable place run by foreigners or Chileans, typically from Santiago. Some hostels are private homes that use their living area as a common area, and some of them can be very comfortable.