Hotel Ismael

Hotel Ismael 312 is a trendy boutique hotel with a stone-and-glass facade jutting at angles. Directly inside, there’s a small lobby with handsome seating areas filled with extra-long black leather couches, boxy cream chairs, tiny pedestal tables, and a wall of books that stand in relief against an inky black wall. Past the lobby, a darling dining room with wooden tables and industrial stools gives a fashionable spot for breakfast. Stairs here lead to a lower-level lounge area with more seating and a bar -- though it didn't appear to be in use on our visit. The bold tree-silhouette design on statement walls is a stylish motif that's repeated throughout the building -- from the lounge to the guest rooms -- in a subtle nod to Forest Park, which is located directly across the street. This property mainly attracts couples who are here as tourists as it makes a good base for exploring the city. 

Hotel Ismael 312 is located right next to Forest Park, providing lovely views from many rooms. Guests can reach many attractions on foot, including the Museum of Contemporary Art which is just down the street -- a four-minute walk from the hotel. Plaza de Armas is a 13-minute walk away, while Castillo Hidalgo is an 18-minute walk from the property. The Metropolitan Park of Santiago is about a 20-minute walk from here, where guests can visit the National Zoo and hike up San Cristobal Hill. The immediate area surrounding the hotel is filled with plenty of cafes and restaurants, and there’s a bus stop and a metro station that’s four minutes away on foot. It's a 20-minute drive to Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport. 

Rooms here are spacious and clean, with modern, understated decor and earthy details like rich wooden furniture and dark statement walls sporting the hotel's tree-silhouette motif. White bedding stands in stark contrast to the gray carpets, and floor-to-ceiling windows bring in sunlight. Some rooms also have small balconies overlooking the street, while others have views of Forest Park. Junior Suites are the most spacious options and include living room areas with couches as well as deep tubs next to the beds. All rooms have amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning, though no coffee- and tea-making facilities (except in Junior Suites which have Illy coffee machines). But rooms do provide wet bars with sinks, minibars, and free bottled water. Bathrooms are the biggest drawback here as they have frosted glass walls that don’t provide much privacy, which can be an issue for some. They do, however, have attractive rectangular sinks, toiletries, glass showers, and hairdryers. Note that some guests have reported bothersome noise from other rooms and passing traffic. 

The hotel offers limited amenities, but they're thoughtful and convenient, like the small rooftop pool. It's too narrow for a proper swim, but it offers a refreshing dip, a stylish waterfall feature, a slate-gray sundeck, and panoramic views of Forest Park. A free breakfast is provided and is available all day in a cute cafe lounge area with plenty of comfy indoor seating and a small patio in the front with tables and chairs. A library of books is available in the lobby to browse through. Concierge services for guests include booking tours, taxis, bike rentals, and laundry service. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There’s no on-site parking, but the hotel can direct travelers to nearby parking garages.