Bohemian rhapsody: Castillo Rojo

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This was published 9 years ago

Bohemian rhapsody: Castillo Rojo

By Sheriden Rhodes
Avant-garde meeting spot: Castillo Rojo.

Avant-garde meeting spot: Castillo Rojo.Credit: Sheridan Rhodes

With a bold, "look at me" facade in vivid red, Castillo Rojo in Santiago's bohemian Barrio Bellavista neighbourhood makes no attempt to blend in with its surrounds. The renovated 1920s castle was once home to the wealthy French-Chilean Lehuede family. Later, Russian immigrant Boris Krivoss bought the property, transforming the red castle into an avant-garde meeting place for local artists to exchange philosophical and creative ideas.

Sadly, however, the iconic red building fell into neglect until Chilean architects Jorge Avila and Cecilia Wolff were charged with transforming the four-storey townhouse into a 19-room boutique hotel. Castillo Rojo, with its decadent '20s architecture, opened for business earlier this year. Beyond the red facade with its rambling styles, interiors meld classic, vintage and contemporary design. Many original details of the house have been restored - fireplaces, mouldings, original carvings, even a 1923 custom-made dining table.

A doorman who resembles a Latino Basil Fawlty whisks my heavy luggage up the gothic staircase to the bordello-style lounge and beyond to the guestrooms via an original French wooden staircase. Clearly out of breath, he smiles wryly at my hefty bag and sprints back down three flights of stairs.

Vintage yet contemporary: Interiors of Castillo Rojo.

Vintage yet contemporary: Interiors of Castillo Rojo.Credit: Sheridan Rhodes

The cosy king suite features custom pillow-top bed (so comfy), 500-thread cotton sheets, a world globe atop a wooden cupboard, and a small writing alcove at a large window overlooking the hotel's petite plaza. Other rooms and top-floor suites have views of the snow-dusted Andes or the local streets. One even has a secret terrace.

Rugging up (it's 4 degrees outside), I explore the interesting streets of Bellavista - one of many Santiago neighbourhoods that have received a new lease of life - admiring the clever street art and stumbling across a man and his llama touting for rides from tourists. The hotel has no restaurant (one is coming), so a French-style breakfast of amazing pastries and local bread, coffee and juice is on offer until a Chilean restaurant across the plaza opens. Further accommodation and a day spa are in the pipeline.

A standard double room is priced from $213 including breakfast. See castillorojohotel.com.

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