Chile Strengthens Lodging To Lure More Int'l Guests

<B>Chile Strengthens Lodging To Lure More Int'l Guests</B>

By Robert Selwitz

The debut of two new properties and the resolution of Chile's presidential election has sparked optimism among Santiago's somewhat beleaguered hotel owners and operators, who are hopeful for a significant booking boost from foreign investors.

The new 280-room Santiago Marriott Hotel occupies the first 25 floors of a 40-story structure in the trendy, suburban Las Condes district, a burgeoning business sector that continues to draw major international corporations. Within the building the Marriott shares, for example, are the Chilean headquarters for Coca Cola, Intel, Microsoft and Sony. As for the property itself, the Marriott features 18 suites, including a presidential suite, an executive level with specially appointed concierge rooms and 6,000 square feet of meeting space.

In Providencia, much closer to center Santiago, the newly built 128-room Four Points Hotel Santiago offers 1,000 square feet of meeting space, a 130-car indoor parking facility, a fitness center, room service, Jacuzzi, pool and business center. According to Four Points brand manager and vice president of marketing Jane Mackie, "the superbly located property brings a fresh choice at moderate rates to incoming business travelers."

Nearby, the five-year-old, 160-room Radisson Royal Santiago Hotel, also is convenient to the newer business district where commercial interests increasingly choose to locate.

"Here travelers will find the city's greatest concentration of nightlife, restaurants and upscale shopping," said general manager Colin Turner. "Our hotel is part of the same complex housing Santiago's World Trade Center, so we are an ideal choice for those visiting financial, mining or other international firms. In fact, due to all the business and entertainment in the immediate area, local people say we are really in 'Sanhattan!' "

Of course, there are plenty of reasons to stay in the area where Santiago was founded nearly five centuries ago. One of the best options is the 156-room Hotel Plaza San Francisco. Part of SRS World Hotels Luxury collection, the property recently underwent $3 million in renovations. Known for its award-winning cuisine, the property is steps from the modern metro system, and also within easy walking distance from major federal and regional government offices, cultural attractions and numerous key businesses.

According to general manager Jaime Cerruti, the Hotel Plaza is a short stroll from the Diego Portales Convention Center and Estacion Mapucho, two of Santiago's major exhibition sites. Furthermore, guests flying with national flag carrier Lan Chile, can enjoy a luggage-free hotel departure while checking in for their flights right in the hotel.

While occupancies in the Radisson, as well as Santiago's other modern hotels, now hover near 70 percent, Turner is optimistic citywide hotel occupancies will rebound this year. Reasons he cited include the national election having been decided, and increased Asian visitation reflecting that region's economic recovery. And, he said, except for several major hotel-filling events--such as the early March inauguration of moderate president Ricardo Lagos, or the FIDAE 2000 air show at the end of March--it usually is not difficult to book quality lodging. Of course, since April, May and June (Chile's fall) and October and November (spring) also are the nation's busiest commercial travel months, Turner urged that bookings for these times be made further in advance.

Another piece of advice business travelers should keep in mind: Pay for your room with a credit card, U.S. dollars or other foreign hard currency, so you are not charged Chile's 18 percent room tax; only those paying with Chilean pesos are subject to that tax.