World Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels
Chile offers excellent accommodation. Several new luxury hotels have recently opened in Santiago and throughout the country. In all regions of Chile, whatever hotels lack in facilities is made up for by a comfortable, homely atmosphere; Chile’s famous hospitality is very apparent in provinces where it is common to see the owner or manager sit down to dinner with guests. Advance bookings are essential in resort areas during the high season.
The cost of accommodation in Santiago is higher than in the provinces. Rates in Valparaso, Via del Mar and other holiday resorts may be increased during the summer holiday from January to March. Members of foreign motoring organisations can obtain discounts at hotels by joining the Automvil Club de Chile (see address in Travel – Internal section). The address of the Chilean National Hotel Association is HOTELGA, Nueva Tajamar 481, Oficina 806, North Tower, Las Condes, Santiago (tel: (2) 203 6625; fax: (2) 203 6626). Grading: Hotels in Chile are graded from 5 to 2 stars. There are 11 5-star hotels, 58 4-star hotels, 94 3-star hotels and 32 2-star hotels in the country. A description of the facilities included in the Chilean hotel system is as follows: 5-star: Luxurious rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and 24-hour room service; garden; restaurant; bar; swimming pool; laundry services; shops; conference rooms; recreational and medical facilities. 4-star: Rooms with air conditioning and private bathroom; restaurant; bar; laundry services; tourist information; conference rooms; medical and recreational facilities. 3-star: Rooms with private bathrooms; laundry services; first aid and continental breakfast. 2-star: 30 per cent of rooms with private bathroom.

Government tax
VAT of 19 per cent is levied on all hotel bills, except those paid in foreign currencies by foreign visitors for which an export bill is required.

Camping/Caravanning
Camping facilities exist throughout Chile. A list of campsites may be obtained from Chilean embassies. Official sites are expensive.

Youth Hostels
There are 13 hostels in Chile. Membership of the Asociacin Chilena de Albergues Tursticos Juveniles, Av. Hernando de Aguirre 201, of. 602, Providencia (tel: (2) 233 3220; fax: (2) 233 2555; e-mail: hostelling@hostelling.cl; website: www.hostelling.cl), is required; many hostels are extremely crowded and it is advised to book in advance where possible.