Santiago: Chile's capital of va va voom - International Traveller Magazine

Chile’s capital Santiago blew away one of our International Traveller readers (and travel agent).

Santiago, Chile: where the land ends.

But for me, it will now always mean ‘where the amazement begins’. Allow me to explain…

We land in the magnificently mountainous city of St James (Santiago) at 10 am the same day. It has a population of over six million people, but please add an eager planeload of people to that.

Santiago cable car — Santiago Chile cable car.

The airport, Arturo Merino Benitez, is approximately 30 minutes from the city, and during that drive to our hotel, we saw contrasting areas: some dry and desolate areas with shanties, other lush and green condo-clad spots. All beautiful in their own right.

We arrive at the opulent W Hotel and are promptly checked in and sent to our room. And ay caramba, they sure do put the W in Wow!

Actually I think I stole that from my hotel room compendium. I was given a ‘cool corner room’ which was pretty much that; an ultra-funkily decorated and designed room with a deep bathtub right in the middle of the room with THE comfiest and softest bed I have ever had the pleasure of laying my weary jetlagged bones on.

And because it was also the corner room of each floor, I was spoilt rotten with not just one special outside view, but two. Plus my room had the grooviest toy: a kaleidoscope!

W Hotel rooftop — The rooftop pool at the W Hotel gives guests a spectacular aerial view of the city.

So, I’m still finding it hard to believe that I’m here in Chile, the home of the dramatic Andes, and Puerto Williams (the southernmost city in the world), some of the finest wines in the world and the birthplace of Cueca – a traditional dance which has a story of a man pursuing a woman who plays coy hiding behind her handkerchief. How cute!

The ‘Santiaguinos’ and ‘Santiaguinas’ love, laugh and live life to the full and are so very welcoming.

Speaking of welcoming, after our brekky the next day, we met the sales manager of the W Hotel who not only took us on tour of his deliciously appointed five-star hotel, but gave many tips and tricks for a hot time in Chile (okay, pun intended!). One of his tips was to jump on the ‘hop on and off’ double-decker bus. So we did just that.

What a great way to see the city and its many different areas and people. Shopping centres, old forts, bohemian suburbs, markets and the vibrant downtown are all accessible through this bus route.

If you’re up for a feed and a dance head to the Bellavista area – don’t forget to take your handkerchief! Mingle with other gringos (foreigners) and locals and try the native drink Pisco Sour (made from sugar, crushed lemons and Pisco spirit).

empanada chile — Grab a cheesy empanada for a real taste of Chile.

Or sample one of the countless food options, such as cheesy empanadas, yummy hot dogs covered in avocado and sour cream, or chips topped with steak, eggs and melted cheese. If there’s ever a competition to combine every delicious food into one meal, trust me, the Chileans will win hands down!

Bellavista is also at the foot of a mountain where you can catch a cable car up and see the statue of the Virgin Mary, the lesser known cousin (or should I say mother) of Rio De Janeiro’s ‘Christ the Redeemer’ statue. The views of the giant city at the top can be simply spectacular.

virgin mary cerro san cristobal — The Blessed Virgin Mary statue on the top of Cerro San Cristóbal in Santiago.

Next to check off the list was the Elixir of the Gods… Chilean wine. We decided to take a day tour and sure enough, we found out what all the fuss is about.

After an early morning departure, we headed down Route 68 towards grape heaven. On the way, we stopped off at a beautiful seaside town called Valparaíso where the locals have built their multi-storey homes into the hill. With so many contrasting designs, both old as the hill (oh no, another bad pun) and cutting edge, which is so Santiago-esque.

So after a typically tasty seafood lunch at a nearby seaside town, we arrived at the Casas del Bosque winery. Modern and trés hip, we were shown behind the scenes of one of the most successful wineries in Chile. Supplying pretty much every continent on earth, after sampling their fruity and zesty wares, we knew why.

But unfortunately our time in Santiago had to draw to an end, so after saying ‘gracias por su hospitalidad’ (thank you for your hospitality) to the wonderful people at W Hotel, and the people of Santiago, we begrudgingly set sail for Oz on a flying kangaroo named QF28.

From my short stay there, I’ve discovered that Santiago really is an incredibly beautiful city with extremely likeable people. It all looks so magical and being able to see the ridiculously good-looking Andes from every corner, just adds that extra va va voom!

Chile is blessed to lie between the towering Andes and the Pacific Ocean, to see what all the hype is about, head to our curated travel guide.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Santiago: Chile’s capital of va va voom

Chile’s capital Santiago blew away one of our International Traveller readers (and travel agent).

Chile is blessed to lie between the towering Andes and the Pacific Ocean, to see what all the hype is about, head to our curated travel guide.

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