May 6

May 6 The Hotel Review: Luciano K Hotel, Santiago

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THE LOCATION

You’ll find Luciano K Hotel on the northern edge of the vibrant district of Lastarria, perched overlooking the urban oasis of Parque Forestal in Santiago.

THE SPACE

Luciano K Hotel threw open its doors to the public in March 2016 after years of renovations transformed the iconic residential structure. Named after the architect who designed the building – Luciano Kulczewski Garcia – it comes with many fascinating firsts.

It was the tallest high-rise in Chile when constructed; it was the first building to have central heating in Chile; and the first in Santiago to feature triple-glazed windows. The historical edifice also houses Chile’s first elevator – and the Schindler still works, albeit rather slowly and chunkily (there’s a modern lift beside it for those who’d rather ride the express).

The space has been revamped sympathetically, with no interior structures moved during the fit out.

Original marble staircases, elaborate wooden doors and some of the brightly coloured floor tiles (the tiles at the entrance to the hotel are original; the ones in the restaurant were designed by Chilean company Baldosas Cordova to match) have been restored to their former glory. The overall feel is an appealing combination of antique and art deco.

THE ROOM

Because the interior structure was left intact during the refurbishment, the head architect working on the project – Maximiliano Noguera – had to get imaginative with room configurations. The result is 38 distinct rooms spanning four room styles – standard, superior, deluxe and suite.

My superior room is at the very end of a corridor and features a cute desk nook and parquet tiles. The passive colour palette of calming greys and blues with the occasional pop of colour (there’s a colourful artwork in my room; some of the rooms have bright- coloured couches) works well to highlight the structural features of the space.

THE FOOD

Dinners on the rooftop admiring the sunset are lush – the food is divine, the service is friendly, and the view over the cityscape with the Andes in the background is stunning. I enjoy a tapas-style dinner one night, sampling dishes such as toasted bread topped with salmon slithers, tangy ceviche, crab balls and mini falafel sandwiches.

An interesting chocolate soup precedes the dessert spread; manjar (Chilean dulche de leche) eclairs, a velvety chocolate mousse and a creamy parfait topped with a dollop of passionfruit pulp before I signal time out.

Breakfast is a casually elegant affair in the downstairs restaurant. Guests serve themselves from the small buffet featuring mostly house-made produce (the yoghurt is mouthwateringly creamy) and egg dishes are cooked to order.

STEPPING OUT

Santiago has a great vibe if you hang out in the right suburbs, and Luciano K Hotel is located in Lastarria, a district with many galleries, boutiques and restaurants.

It’s also a hop and a skip away from Bellavista, a foodie and nightlife hub home to plenty of smart restaurants, laidback cafes, elegant wine bars and buzzy clubs.

One of the must-dos of Santiago is reaching the summit of Cerro San Cristobal and the base is only six blocks away. From the base you can either hike or take the funicular up for supreme views of Santiago. The Central Market, Plaza de Armas and Moneda Palace are all close by too.