Chile Forum

We paid our own way, Sabrina, and negotiated them down a bit (15% from memory). We stayed for 2 months, so I feel your pain, but it was worth the money. Great location (we didn't need a car, used taxis for school runs in teh beginning), walk to restaurants. The suites have a small kitchen, so you can cook and there's a fantastic supermarket in walking distance. The concierge will take your trolley back. You can use the marriott's gym and pool, order room service etc.

Look, I know it's a hell of a lot of money, I get it, but my number one advice to new expats is to make the first few months as easy as possible on yourself. It's a huge adaption here, especially with no or little Spanish, not knowing anyone and being used to first world live and you could end up packing your bags after a month staying in a decrepit place, missing your things and support network. The kids suffer the most (in our case there was a lag) and anything to ease them into it, is worth every dollar you could afford (imo)

We paid on our credit cards and took ages to pay it off, but after 3 years here in Chile, we still say that if it wasn't for staying there on arrival, we would have been very miserable and potentially not hacked it the way we have.

Anyway, I am not affiliated with the place, so couldn't really care either way, but if you could at all stretch your budget and negotiate a long term stay discount, it is worth the splurge in my opinion.

Just visited the AirBnB sponsor ad and I was really impressed with the concept and the prices of staying with people/families in Santiago instead of the hotels. Thought this one should be kicked to the top again. http://www.airbnb.com/search

Try these;
http://www.rentaparts.com/

Thanks Tombi. That was very useful indeed. We want to make the transition as smoothly as possible so I will book into Blvd Suites first and review other options later. My husband will be doing a few trips over before we move the family so he can also check it out.

Has anyone stayed at El Bosque Suites or Times Suites? My husband is in Santiago and checking these places out as our temporary accommodation when we arrive in July. Will it be easy for me to drive kids to Nido from either on these places? I looked online and they looked just as nice as Boulevard Suites but I think much cheaper.

I would really appreciate any comments. Thanks!