Arrival/Check-In: My flight arrived in Santiago early in the morning, and I traveled under two hours to the Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center in Viña del Mar. The hotel sits directly on the Pacific coastline, offering immediate ocean views. Although I arrived before the official check-in time, my room was ready, and after a long trip I headed straight to the sixth floor to rest.
Guest Quarters: After settling in, I took a short nap; the gentle sound of waves provided a soothing backdrop. The hotel has 142 rooms, all with ocean views. I stayed in a superior room with a king-sized bed, a selection of pillows, two comfortable chairs, a work desk, and a balcony furnished with two chairs. Complimentary Wi-Fi and standard amenities were provided. Television programming was primarily in Spanish, with a few international news channels available in English. Bottled water was replenished during my stay.
The bathroom included both a separate bathtub and a shower with rainfall and standard showerhead options. I spent most days exploring Viña del Mar, but when I remained in the room I felt very comfortable. The sunset views over the ocean and the city were especially memorable.
Services and Amenities: The Sheraton Miramar provides extensive meeting and event facilities, including five ballrooms and a multi-level foyer that together accommodate up to 1,200 guests. In total there are 14 event rooms and more than 28,000 square feet of flexible event space across the property, suitable for conferences, weddings and large gatherings.
The hotel’s 24-hour fitness center faces the ocean, making workouts more enjoyable. The facility offers a range of daily classes, including spin sessions, and provides a motivating environment for exercise with natural light and sea views.
The spa is adjacent to the fitness center and is open to all guests for access to the sauna, hot tub, pool, steam room and locker facilities; paid treatments are also available. I booked a 60-minute massage on my first night. The therapist addressed travel-related tension and fatigue, which made for a relaxing end to a busy travel day.
Dining options on site are varied. I ate breakfast each morning at Travesia Restaurant, which offers a generous buffet. The selection included hot and cold items such as smoked salmon, fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, cereals, chorizo, an omelet station and freshly pressed fruit juices.
The hotel also provides 24-hour room service with a rotating menu throughout the day. After my massage I ordered a light dinner to my room, which was convenient when I preferred a quiet, relaxed meal.
On my final night I dined at Las Olas Restaurant on the ocean level. The menu focuses on Chilean flavors with international influences and emphasizes seafood, which is a highlight in this coastal city. I began with a selection of small plates, including ceviche and sushi, and chose grilled grouper for my main course, accompanied by a salad of hearts of palm, artichokes and tomatoes. A glass of Chilean wine complemented the meal and completed a delightful dining experience.
The Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center works well for both business and leisure travelers, combining practical meeting facilities with scenic leisure amenities.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the Viña del Mar coastline from guestrooms, the fitness center, pool areas, restaurants and lobby.
◆ Reserve dinner at Las Olas Restaurant for excellent seafood preparations and a good selection of Chilean wines.
◆ Make time to use the spa facilities—steam room, sauna and hot tub are available to all guests and enhance relaxation after sightseeing or meetings.
SHERATON MIRAMAR HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER
Ave. Marina N. 15
Viña del Mar, Chile
tel 56 32 238 8600
marriott.com