The Best Boutique Hotels in Valparaíso, Chile

Bright, relaxed rooms with pops of orange and lime green reveal the scenic expanse of Valparaíso Bay through floor-to-ceiling windows at this charming hotel. Take in the view over a buffet breakfast on the glass-fronted terrace, grazing on nuts, fruit and crusty rolls. Just a 15-minute walk away, you’ll find Concepción Hill, a Unesco World Heritage site, and its 19th-century funicular. The hilltop house of Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, La Sebastiana, is just 1km (0.6mi) away.

Views and history draw guests to the antique-stuffed family home of Victorian English sailor and artist Thomas Somerscales, set high on the colorful Cerro Alegre, looking down to the famous Cerros of Valparaíso and the bay. Comfortable rooms and suites layered with rich persian rugs, shiny brass bedsteads and polished wooden floors stay true to the era, as do cups of hot tea and homemade cake. Work it off with a guided yoga session in the lush garden.

In a vast, ornately styled mansion filled with art, the light-industrial, wood-lined apartments in this boutique hotel feel homey, complete with modern kitchens and panoramic views across the glittering bay. There’s nothing like spending a lazy morning sitting out on your balcony, with a slab of sunlight across your feet, sipping coffee, crunching on toast and planning your day ahead – which could start, say, with a gentle four-minute walk to nearby Baburizza Palace.

Considerably more luxurious than other boutiques in the city, Casa Higueras is especially popular for its chic Mediterranean-style balcony with an elegant infinity pool that affords sweeping views over the sea and city. This 1920s converted mansion enjoys an excellent central location and top-rate amenities such as key-less entry, top-quality linen and a generous serving of scrumptious Belgian chocolates for each guest.

The best bet for those looking for a little extra space, this modern boutique right in the city center offers six self-contained apartments and lofts, which are ideal for families or groups. Each chic, individually decorated apartment contains all the necessary mod-cons including a fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TVs, wifi and docking stations for iPhones. Standard rooms are also available for solo travelers and couples.

Cirilo Armstrong was designed in a modern style of architecture, with chic furnishings that are consistent throughout the building. Each apartment is stylish and spacious, some featuring a private fireplace, a balcony and sitting areas. A terrace bar with ocean views is ideal for sunset drinks, while a wooden spa and massage service in the leafy green garden is the perfect way to unwind.

One of the first boutiques to pop up in the area, Manoir Atkinson is run by a Canadian and Chilean couple who clearly has a preference for old-world charm over modern minimalism. This elegant late 19th-century boutique is adorned with antique furniture, artworks, stained-glass windows and even a piano in the lobby. Its open-air terrace is a great spot to enjoy some food and wine while overlooking the city’s nearby attractions.

Probably the classiest (and priciest) boutique on our list, Palacio Astoreca is chock-full of antique furnishings that ooze old-world charm. This restored 1920s mansion has 23 beautiful rooms, the best of which come complete with private bathtubs that overlook the bay. It’s got a stunning indoor swimming pool as well as a stylish underground wine cellar with a tasting room, but the highlight for many is the attached fine-dining restaurant, Alegre, widely considered to be the best in the city.

The only boutique on the list not to be located on the Alegre or Concepción Hills, Verso makes up for being a little further out by offering a host of luxurious amenities at a significantly better price. This stylish boutique is built in a modern block architectural design and boasts premium bedding in each room, an onsite wellness center, a fine-dining restaurant and a decedent outdoor wooden jacuzzi with views over the bay.