The art of inhabiting serenity

By Flavia Tomaello, https://flaviatomaello.blog/, Instagram @flavia.tomaello

Las Condes, once a quiet extension of Santiago, became over time the epicenter of the most distinguished development of the Chilean capital. It was in this territory where the city found its projection towards modernity, a place where tree-lined avenues and glass corporate buildings coexisted with the imposing presence of the mountain range. The area, initially conceived as residential, has experienced a metamorphosis in recent decades that has turned it into a hub of business, culture and luxury. The sophistication that today defines Las Condes did not emerge overnight, but from a process in which architecture was the protagonist: each new building traced the silhouette of a city that aspired to dialogue with the world without losing the majesty of its natural environment.
In this context, a building emerged that would forever change Santiago’s relationship with high-level hospitality. A cylindrical structure, half concrete and half glass, burst into Vitacura when the sector was still far from the current urban density. It was conceived with the ambition of becoming an icon, an architectural landmark that would invite both locals and travelers to contemplate the landscape from another perspective. Its panoramic elevators offered an unprecedented scene: the traveler could rise towards the sky while the city unfolded beneath their feet and, in the background, the mountain range loomed with silent magnificence.
The building soon acquired an identity of its own. Its curved lines and vertical lobby became the scene of meetings, celebrations and moments that marked the memory of generations. More than a hotel, it was an urban beacon, a symbol of a Santiago that dared to look beyond its traditional limits. That legacy, however, did not remain immobile. Time demanded a new look, capable of dialoguing with heritage but also projecting it towards a future where luxury is understood as an integral experience.
The arrival of Mandarin Oriental marked that reinvention. It was not simply an aesthetic renovation or an update of services. It was the integration of a global seal with local identity, the encounter between the Asian tradition of refinement and the Chilean essence of hospitality and landscape. Thus, the fan – the chain’s unmistakable symbol – deployed its presence in Latin America for the first time from Santiago, choosing this emblematic building as the canvas for its vision.
Today, Mandarin Oriental Santiago embodies the spirit of Las Condes: cosmopolitan and at the same time rooted, modern without forgetting the essential, sophisticated with a language of serenity. Its history merges with that of the city itself, and its strength lies in that intersection: it is a hotel that stands in a privileged location and becomes a reflection of the transformation of an entire capital.

An architectural heritage transformed into a contemporary lighthouse
The building that today houses the Mandarin Oriental Santiago was born with the desire to be different. Since its inauguration in the nineties, when Vitacura and Las Condes were beginning to consolidate themselves as territories of urban and economic expansion, its cylindrical silhouette attracted attention for challenging the homogeneity of the architecture of the time. That design, with a glass heart that ascended vertically and two panoramic elevators running along its spine, offered a new way of looking at the city: from the inside out, framing the mountain range as a backdrop. It was a bold proposal, which turned the hotel into an icon of modernity and a kind of portal to a Santiago in full transformation.
The façade, a balance between cement and glass, transmitted the strength of an urban landmark that was not content with being a lodging. Its lobby, twenty stories high, functioned as a contemporary cathedral of hospitality. There, visitors found a welcoming space and a tangible representation of the aspirations of a capital that sought to project itself on the global scene. The building became a meeting point, a reference space, a photographic setting that anticipated the image culture that dominates today.
Over the years, the property maintained its emblematic character, but the world of hospitality changed at a dizzying pace. Luxury was no longer defined solely by the grandeur of spaces, but by the subtlety of experiences. It was then that Mandarin Oriental recognized a unique opportunity in this building: an architectural work with history and character, ready to be reinterpreted through the prism of a brand that understands luxury as art.
The transition was a meticulous process. Respecting the heritage meant preserving the strength of its structure, the verticality of its lobby and the personality of its silhouette. At the same time, it was necessary to breathe new meanings. The architectural intervention introduced an inspiring concept: the “parametric sky” that dominates the lobby, a framework reminiscent of a honeycomb and that surrounds the space with transparency and movement. This gesture updated the aesthetics of the building and connected it with the chain’s philosophy: creating environments where architecture dialogues with nature, light and the well-being of guests.
The interior was reinvented with a language of curves, light and materials that evoke serenity. The fabrics designed by Maite Izquierdo in the lobby, moving to the rhythm of the elevator traffic, introduced a choreographic dimension into the space, where design becomes a sensory experience. The building stopped being only imposing and became warm, welcoming, deeply human.
The essence of Mandarin Oriental Santiago lies in this intersection between continuity and renewal. The brand knew how to read the heritage value of the property and projected it into the 21st century with subtlety. What was originally a symbol of modernity was transformed, under his care, into a contemporary beacon of elegance. The architectural heritage was not erased or replaced: it was taken as a basis, as a foundation to deploy a new concept of hospitality that honors both the past and the future of the city.

A stylish retreat where the pool becomes an oasis

The Mandarin Oriental Santiago is not limited to being a luxury hotel: it is a space designed to convey calm in the midst of urban vitality. From the moment you arrive, the interiors envelop you with a language of curved lines and serene tones, designed to soften the accelerated pace of the city. The chain’s philosophy is expressed in every detail, integrating local elements with the sobriety and refinement of Asian tradition. The result is a style that balances cosmopolitan sophistication and a Chilean sense of belonging.
The selected materials – warm woods, stones with organic textures, textiles that recall local craftsmanship – help the spaces look and feel livable, intimate. Natural light plays a leading role: it passes through the glass surfaces and multiplies in soft reflections that reinforce the atmosphere of tranquility. It is not about ostentation, but rather a serene, almost meditative luxury that invites you to experience the space rather than contemplate it from the outside.
In this design universe, the pool emerges as the unexpected heart of the hotel. Surrounded by carefully designed gardens, it appears as an urban oasis in which the water reflects both the sky and the silhouette of the mountain range. It is the only hotel in the city that offers a garden of such magnitude within its facilities, which gives it a unique character. Guests find there an open-air refuge that contrasts with the dynamism of Las Condes. The pool becomes the scene of long pauses, of reading under the shade, of moments in which time seems to slow down.
The design of the area was conceived with a dual purpose. On the one hand, offer a space that preserves the privacy and calm of a retreat. On the other hand, maintain the visual connection with the natural grandeur that surrounds Santiago. The cabanas and terraces that unfold around the pool allow you to enjoy experiences ranging from an outdoor lunch to a sunset accompanied by soft music and a perfectly executed cocktail. Everything is designed so that the experience is both sensory and aesthetic.
The hotel’s amenities amplify this notion of an oasis. The spa, with treatments that combine ancient Eastern techniques and local natural resources, prolongs the experience of serenity that emanates from the water. The rooms and suites, with their balconies and windows, reinforce the feeling of being in a privileged viewpoint towards the Andes, integrating nature as an inseparable part of the experience. The fitness center, equipped with the latest technology, completes the wellness proposal.
Together, style and performance create a coherent universe where every detail has a purpose. The hotel is not presented as a simple luxury place, but as a space where aesthetics, comfort and calm come together. The pool, with its ability to suspend time and turn routine into a ritual of enjoyment, symbolizes this vision better than any other corner: a true oasis in the heart of the Chilean capital.

A gastronomic journey that celebrates the diversity of flavors
The culinary proposal unfolds as a symphony of experiences, each restaurant with a different character but united by the same philosophy: elevating gastronomy to an act of discovery. Here it is understood that luxury is not reduced to spaces or rooms, but is also expressed at the table, in the possibility of exploring cultures and territories without leaving the building.
At the heart of the offering is Senso, which pays homage to Italian cuisine with a contemporary vision. The space combines sophistication and warmth, with a design that allows you to enjoy both a business lunch and an intimate dinner. Its menu includes artisanal pastas, risotti and meats that dialogue with a select proposal of Chilean and international wines. The atmosphere is completed with attentive and elegant service, which transforms each visit into a memorable experience.
The exploration of flavors continues at Matsuri, dedicated to Japanese cuisine. Here minimalism meets precision, offering sushi and dishes that respect the purity of the ingredients. The aesthetics of the space reinforce the Japanese philosophy: carefully arranged tables, a serene atmosphere and the possibility of observing the preparation as part of the gastronomic ritual. Matsuri has become a meeting point for those seeking authenticity and perfection in every bite.
The offer is even more diversified at El Origen Bar, where cocktails take center stage. These are not only masterfully executed classic cocktails, but also creations that integrate local ingredients and innovative techniques. The bar, with its vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere, becomes a transitional space: it can be a perfect start before dinner or a relaxed closing after an intense day. The music, light and design of the place accompany an atmosphere that invites conversation and pause.
On weekends, the hotel offers brunches that use its garden as a setting. There, guests enjoy live stations and proposals that combine Chilean tradition with the brand’s global vision. These meetings have become social moments where gastronomy mixes with the outdoors, expanding the hotel experience beyond the walls.
Each restaurant and bar integrates harmoniously with the style of the hotel, in a balance between cosmopolitanism and local authenticity. None of the proposals seeks to impose ostentation; rather, they convey a serene luxury, based on detail, quality and the ability to surprise. Together, they make up a culinary experience that feeds and inspires: a sensory tour of the world with firm roots in Chile, designed to seduce international travelers and Santiago residents themselves who find there a place to rediscover their city.