For the Ricky Ricones out there then I'd suggest one of the following three boutique hotels:
The Hotel Gervasoni. This hotel is probably one of the best private renovation jobs I've seen anywhere and is really well positioned at the end of the Paseo Gervasoni, next to the Lukas museum and the top of the Ascensor Turri/Concepcion all on Cerro Concepcion.
The owners spent a small fortune restoring the old mansion and did a hell of a job. Original details were delicately recovered and pricey antiques dot the place alongside more modern touches. It has a great terrace with views of the port and bay for drinkies and a restaurant below with some seriously good wines in the cellar. I haven't been to review the restaurant yet though.
A double costs around 85,000 pesos (us$160) a night.
Another boutique establishment, The Manoir Atkinson is around the corner at the end of Paseo Atkinson. Rooms are about the same price but I think the Gervasoni's a much better bet. The roof terrace in the Atkinson is pretty cool though.
Trumping them all for price is the Zero Hotel on Cerro Alegre. This place, on Valpo's most expensive street-Lautauro Rosas, opened just a few weeks ago. The house has been beautifully restored and decorated (not in the same original style like the Gervasoni though) and the views of the city and bay are pretty bleeding amazing. It has a whirlpool bath on the terrace. We met the manager went on a tour of the hotel. Mightily impressive. Mightily expensive as well for Valpo and Chile as a whole at around 140,000 pesos (us$270) a night for one of the 4 suites with views. Possibly worth it.
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