Luciano K Hotel, Santiago, review: An understated gem

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This was published 7 years ago

Luciano K Hotel, Santiago, review: An understated gem

By Isobel King
The pool at the Luciano K Hotel, Santiago.

The pool at the Luciano K Hotel, Santiago.

THE LOCATION

There are few livelier or more amble-friendly barrios in Chile's capital than Lastarria and neighbouring Bellas Artes. They form a buzzing bohemian hub in the historic centre of Santiago, with a network of streets and squares you can easily get lost in for hours, slipping between boutiques, galleries, restaurants and seriously cool bars (just don't drift too far and hit the mall-like drabness of downtown). This 38-room hotel is one of the newest additions to the hood, minutes away from all the action. Two metro stations are within spitting distance.

THE SPACE

The reception of the Luciano K Hotel.

The reception of the Luciano K Hotel.

The grill-gated elevator at the core of this hotel is apparently the oldest in Santiago, highlighting the historic significance of this understated gem, which was apparently once the tallest building in Chile. Opened in February, it's a 1920s apartment block that has been converted into a hotel; something I imagine came with a few challenges. The rooms are all slightly different sizes and shapes, which reflect the different apartments of the original building. The whole design is an elegant hybrid of art deco and modern, pops of colour leaping out of a white palette. There is the original tessellated tile floors, marble staircase, wrought iron banisters and iconic lift alongside cascading pendant lights that fill the light well. It's a conversion that does justice to the original architect the hotel is named after, Luciano Kulczewski.

THE ROOM

I was in one of the deluxe suites of the 38-room hotel, room 402, on one of the upper floors overlooking Parque Forestal. Triple-glazed windows block out all traffic noise from the busy road in between. The room is a good size, with an incredibly comfortable king-sized bed, dedicated desk alcove, and through a stain-glassed door there is a bathroom that oozes period charm. Luxuriously thick, fluffy towels, top-notch bedlinen and the best toiletries of the trip (Cava products, made from anti-oxidant grape seed extract) got the big tick after a marathon flight. The only downside was the room's location near the stairwell, its echoey, hard surfaces magnifying the slightest clatter. Others with rooms further down the tiled corridor avoided the problem.

The rooftop bar serves tapas.

The rooftop bar serves tapas.

THE FOOD

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Our anti-social flight schedule didn't neatly dovetail with meal times, so breakfast is the only hotel food I manage to sample, despite a room service menu full of reasonably priced tapas, salads and snacks I was sorely tempted by. For the buffet breakfast, nice touches, like homemade yoghurt in glass jars and eggs and bacon made to order, were the standouts in a perfectly tasty spread. In addition to the ground-level bar and restaurant, there is also a rooftop bar that serves tapas. I can only attest to the charming setting and seductive view.

STEPPING OUT

The Luciano K Hotel has a ground-level bar and restaurant.

The Luciano K Hotel has a ground-level bar and restaurant.

It's all on your doorstep here. If you want to stretch your legs after a long flight and get a good view of the city, nearby Cerro Santa Lucia is a historic park on a hill. There is a covered craft market opposite, by Santa Lucia metro, open most days till 9pm. Parque Forestal – home to grand Museo de Bellas Arte and Museo de Arte Contemporaneo – is directly opposite the hotel. Popular bars include industrial-styled, pisco specialist Chipe Libre and wine bar extraordinaire BocaNariz, both on Jose Victorino Lastarria. The best advice though is just to grab a map from reception and launch yourself out there.

THE VERDICT

Luciano K is a character-filled hotel with great soul and a rooftop you could easily while away several jet-lagged hours on.

ESSENTIALS

Luciano K, Merced 84, Parque Forestal, Santiago. Standard room from $US169 a night. See lucianokhotel.com

HIGHLIGHT

Interiors that meld old and new to perfection; the unbeatable location.

LOWLIGHT

The hot water that took so long to heat up I almost gave up on a shower. The front desk put it down to the cold weather. Maybe.

Isobel King travelled courtesy of South America Tourism Office and LATAM Airlines.

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