HOTEL REVIEW -- TORRES DES PAINE
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LAS TORRES HOSTERIA
Torres Del Paine
6-Feb 2009
30-Jan 2009
Those wishing to see Torres Del Paine and not spend the entire time camping in a tent are candidates for the Las Torres Hosteria or one of the hotels along Lago Pehoe. Both locales offer good hiking and ferry+hiking access to the sights of Torres Del Paine. We chose Las Torres Hosteria because it received the fewest negative reports and even some good reports. We were marginally impressed here and there, more often appalled at the poor value, and departed with overall disappointment. As we did not stay elsewhere in order to compare, we can only assume that we simply chose the property with the least complaints out of what must be a very poor peer group.
Continuing with an overall perspective, our $300 plus room would have cost $89 in a similarly appointed and maintained property in middle USA and perhaps $149 in higher priced market. Another contrast can be offered. Prior to arriving at Torres Del Paine, we had visited Iguazu falls and paid very similar prices to stay at the Sheraton inside the National Park. This Sheraton in Argentina delivered value. The Las Torres Hosteria in Chile did not. Bottom line seems to be if you crave the Torres Del Paine experience of Patagonia, then you have to put up with very modest infrastructure and lackluster service even while paying top dollar.
The Las Torres Hosteria is a classic building in a world renown location and therein lies one of its few charms. Unfortunately the maintenance on the building has been neglected and the warts are as obvious as the beauty. Examples include: stains on the carpet, bathroom fixtures coming out of the wall, chips in the ceramic of the tub, mildew in the bath, blistering varnish on the window sills, paint overspray on the furniture, old beds with soft sagging mattress, duvet covers missing buttons, etc. The only noticeable maintenance has been in the form of upgrades – to heating and electrical systems. We also noticed that the walls are thin and one can hear sounds from the hallways and adjacent rooms.
The Hotel staff makes attempts to offer service, but it is done without a smile and without follow-through. On several occasions we asked questions or requested assistance only to be left standing empty handed. The check-in staff was very outgoing with their standard spiel and then disappeared when we asked a question. The bellman was very eager to help with our bags and then was comically inept in his delivery. Meals are advertised to start at 7:00 [breakfast and dinner] but in reality, it was 7:20 or so before we could be accommodated. The waiters spoke little to no English, during the height of dinner were clearly overloaded, and so ignored those who didn’t speak Spanish.
The Las Torres Hosteria has few expected amenities for a hotel in this price class. There is no wall art or any appointments in the bedrooms. Bathrooms are spartan and lack simple vanity and hairdryer. There is no TV [maybe a blessing]. The amenities that are available – excursions, Jacuzzi, Sauna -- are expensive and require booking well in advance. Beers are $7.50 USD at the Lobby Bar. Internet is $4 USD for 30 minutes.
Dinners are $42 USD for the buffet. There is no other choice, and the nearest alternative is about 12 miles away. The buffet entre’s are served onto your plate by the staff and whenever we asked for something like a larger or small portion we got the “no comprehendo” answer. The dishes were very tasty, however the selection is limited. Breakfast is included. The selection of items is slim and this is not the kind where you might get away with a light lunch.
The Las Torres Hosteria has a stunning sitting room with big fireplace [which no-one came to light] wrapped in giant windows. The lobby is equally impressive and includes a large – perhaps twelve foot diameter – 3D map of the Torres Del Paine national park. The dining room is also a delight with 270 degrees of view.
Trip Advisor is full of horror stories of travelers who are inconvenienced at the hands of establishments with problems at check-in and check-out. We have been fortunate to have avoided such incidents. Now, the Las Torres Hosteria has come close. One evening we put $10 USD down for dinner gratuity. When we got our bill at checkout the amount had been changed to $15 USD.
HOTEL PLAZA PUNTA ARENAS
Punta Arenas, Chile
7-Feb 2010
28-Jan 2010
29-Jan 2010
Those wishing to see Torres Del Paine and the Penguins of Magalinda Island most likely have to spend a night or two in Punta Arenas. This was our plan and we chose the Hotel Plaza for its central location and good value. We were not disappointed and found it an above average oasis in an otherwise gritty and difficult frontier like town.
The hotel occupies the 2nd and 3rd floors of a quaint building at one of the corners of the Punta Arenas main plaza. Upon arrival at 2AM by very efficient taxi from PUQ, we got our first experience of southern Chile – a drunk recovering in the hotel entryway. Fortunately, the hotel desk clerk responded quickly to the taxi driver’s sounding of the entry buzzer and we let upstairs.
Inside, the Hotel Plaza is charming and warm. There are wonderful pictures and local artifacts on the walls. The common areas renovation is well done including hardwood floors that still creak as one walks the hallways. The lobby includes a small sitting area and computer where guests can access the Internet.
Our room was spacious and featured grand windows and high ceilings. There was a comfy queen bed with good quality linens. The room included flat screen TV and had good wireless internet [free] signal. The bathroom was bright and clean with new towels and great hot water.
It costs money to park on the street in Punta Arenas during the commerce part of the day. There is a small off street private parking stall [large enough for 3 subcompact cars end to end]. Due to the layout, the first car wishing to leave in the morning has to be the last car to arrive in the evening. If you tell the front desk staff your departure time and give them your car key, they will help coordinate. Very few guests get cars so this arrangement worked fine for us..
Breakfast is included and served on the 3rd floor. The breakfast is on the small side and not the kind where you might get away with a light lunch. Breakfast choices are limited, but tasted good nevertheless. The English skills of the breakfast staff are almost non-existent and fortunately not really needed.
The English skills of the front desk staff are variable – some better than others. Those with poor English seemed uninterested to help us with anything. Those with modest English seemed to enjoy the challenge of helping us with local arrangements. In general however, don’t count on getting answers to any special needs.
We tried to pay our bill in Chile Pesos [rather than convert back to USD at the Airport] but were told we would then have to pay a 19% tax.
The biggest negative we encountered was urban noise on Thursday and Friday nights. The noise came mostly from locals loitering in the town plaza and also from loud hot-rod cars, busses & trucks. Our night’s sleep was not as pleasant as it could have been.
Overall we thought the Plaza Hotel was a very good overall value and upon conclusion of our two-night stay, made another night’s booking for a week later upon our return from Torres Del Paine.