Vina del Mar is a posh beach community that’s a bit like Punta del Este, Monaco, or the Hamptons… it’s where the wealthy and beautiful Chileans go to be seen during the summer holiday period. Even on a cloudy day, you’ll still see hundreds of thong-clad beach goers pretending to not notice the lack of sunshine.

I generally shun hotels when possible– I prefer to stay in serviced apartments, small boutiques, or B&Bs… and the bed & breakfast that I found was a beautiful, quaint mansion perched at the top of a hill overlooking the city and the bay.