W Santiago

Character and identity

Rising as a glass-and-steel tower in Las Condes, Santiago's polished business district, this 196-room property marked the W brand's debut in Latin America. New York designer Tony Chi sets the visual tone: frosted-glass and taffeta partitions, alpaca-lined ceilings that play with perspective, mirrored walls, and a magpie's collection of decorative objects. The showpiece is Whiskey Blue, a copper-panelled, wine-stacked lounge where Santiago's well-heeled sink into plush banquettes. Rooms run ample and masculine in feel, with floor-to-ceiling windows, fabric-panelled walls and angular furniture. NoSo, helmed by Jean-Paul Bondoux, anchors the dining, alongside a rooftop bar and pool, nightclub and spa.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The defining draw here is Jean-Paul Bondoux's cooking at NoSo, where French technique meets Chilean sea urchin, abalone and hake, paired with one of the city's most theatrical bar rooms. Book if you want design, scene and a serious dinner; skip if you bristle at add-on charges. A Cool Corner room is the sweet spot, and weekend rates soften the business-district pricing.