Looking for a affordable yet decent hotel in Santiago

hotels

they are almost identical i believe the same owners and builders are involved with both if anything plat is in a better location

Your best choice would be Hotel Colonial in Downtown Santiago.
Just remember this: Leona Hemsley could'nt take it with her.

Enjoy life as we know it.

Zeus

Platino is nice but if your going to be there a few days the rooms were really small, hope your not claustrophobic. Matum is really pretty good, centrally located easy to get anywhere from there, very guest friendly,wifi, casino and bars nearby,and walking distance to monument. The hotel has been renovated recently so it isnt that bad at all.

I would recommend Hotel Aloha Sol ...it is right on Calle Sol accross from a Pizza Hut and near the Calle Sol shops. If I remember correctly it was about $60 when I stayed there last year. And I think that includes breakfast in their loby restaurant. AC, hot water, nice, clean rooms.

the web site is

Hotel Aloha Sol

Ive stayed at Aloha Sol, Matum, and Colonial and would rate them as the following, considering, location, cleanliness, value, and customer service:

Aloha Sol 2.5 "stars" (paid 1799 pesos for one person first time (after negotiating), 1999 for two second time, with breakfast (tried charging 2500 until I told him I paid 1799 previous time). Has Valet parking. Excellent location - across from Codelpa Central Plaza...so somewhat crowded but very convenient.

Matum 2 "stars" - much nicer rooms, but the front desk person was *REALLY* bad. paid 1850 pesos (as quoted on the phone - front desk tried very hard to charge 2800 pesos...wouldn't budge till we threatened to walk... big parking lot, plus Casino, Chinese restaurant and nightclub on premises...but nowhere really close by for breakfast.

Colonial 1.5 "stars" - The neighborhood and "vibe" there are pretty bad...I stayed in the former "new" section and it was cheap - I think 700 pesos with a/c..but the room was tiny and not very clean, with a very uncomfortable bed... I hear the new "new" section is much nicer. street parking, and a few small local spots for breakfast and a colmado nearby.

all prices include tax

Aloha Sol all the way. I have never stayed there but have put 2 people there that were visiting with me from NYC and they liked it.

I just spent 11 days in Hotel Century Plaza, having stayed at Matum, Platino and Gran Almirante often in the past.

Very nice experience. I paid RD$1795 for a fine, nice-sized room w Queen bed, flat screen TV, well appointed bathroom, not at all claustrophobic. The rate includes breakfast The power never went out.

The restaurant was surprisingly good (I miss their fruit platter in the morning), and seems to be popular with well-heeled locals and groups. The parking is plentiful.

The hotel lobby is large and welcoming. The location is between the Autopista and Duarte on Rafael Vidal. I didn't find the location to be particularly that far out of the way at all, maybe 5-7 mins from the Monument.

It's too bad the owners do not believe in advertising.

I will now make the Hotel Century Plaza as my recommended hotel in Santiago for those who have a car.