Found this hotel on Expedia, and it looked good enough, so I went ahead and clicked on "yes". Not…read moredisappointed in any way.
I arrived after a long overnight flight, and was pleasantly surprised when, even at 10am, the friendly concierge said my room was ready. The rooms in this hotel are all two-room suites, and they're quite spacious. Heck, this one was bigger than my apartment, so I had no complaints. The bed was very firm and comfortable, and the room was clean. There were a few nice touches such as a kettle for boiling water and a Nespresso. Downstairs, there's a "gym" with some free weights, an elliptical, and an exercise bike. All in all, a fine hotel that does just what it promises to.
Don't get me wrong--this hotel is not the Westin or the Four Seasons. The rooms are getting dated and a bit threadbare if you look closely--a bit of peeling ceiling in the shower, some chips on the sink, furniture that might be nearing the end of its life--but, c'mon folks, this is South America, not the Upper East Side, and $100 a night can take you only so far around here. The breakfast is a bit overpriced at $13; I chose to skip it and walk down the street for a desayuno that was only a third the cost and far more authentic.
Provedencia itself is a quiet and safe neighborhood, and only about a 25 minute walk away from the Plaza de Armas, Mercado Central, and other Santiago attractions. There is one restaurant just down the street, but for other options, you'll need to walk 10-15 minutes towards more touristy territory.
I'd stay here again. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you're looking for a good value for a few nights, it's hard to go wrong with the NH Ciudad.