Las Condes and Neighbourhoods, Santiago de Chile
Introduction
Metro Stops West to East:
Tobalaba – El Golf – Alcantara – Escuela Militar – Manquehue – Hernando de Magallanes – Los Dominicos
Las Condes is the district adjacent to the eastern “border” of Providencia. Known as a more affluent and “up-market” suburb than Providencia and Downtown Santiago, it contains, mainly, residential houses and apartments. However, all along its main avenue, which is also called Las Condes, there are numerous modern office buildings, the majority of which were constructed since 1995, as well as some fine restaurants along the street called Isidora Goyenechea.
Most of the interesting part from the point of view of the visitor is around the El Golf area.
Once the metro passes Alcantara and heads past the Escuela Militar (which is where the military officer-training school is also located) the avenue is, side to side, modern office buildings, until reaching Los Dominicos where it is into an affluent residential sector.
At the Manquehue metro, south side, is a modest-sized shopping mall.
The most exclusive area within Las Condes is a sub-district called “El Golf”.
Avda. Kennedy
The southern side of Avenida Kennedy is in the Las Condes district. It is a 3-lane highway (each side) with exotic palm trees lining the central reservation all the way along. The highway runs west to east from the Sanhattan area in Vitacura all the way to the eastern district of Lo Barnechea, and the road that leads up the Andes to the Ski Centres of Valle Nevado, La Parva and Farellones.
On the southern side of Kennedy are two large shopping malls. One, which is more east than the other (remember that going east means heading towards the Andes) is called Alto Las Condes. This is very modern, large, and on three floors with food court, supermarket, hardware market and cinemas.
The other mall is at the western end of Kennedy, closer to the ring road called America Vespucio Norte. This mall is called Parque Arauco and covers a huge area, also three floors, cinemas and food courts. However, this mall has a number of hotels close by, such as the Boulevard Suites, the Marriot, Marriot Courtyard, Mandarin Oriental and on the opposite side of Kennedy (therefore technically in Vitacura) is Double Tree by Hilton, Hotel Kenney and Renaissance Santiago
El Golf Neighbourhood
Metro El Golf (northern exit)
El Golf is located north-east of the Tobalaba metro stop and immediately north of the El Golf metro stop. Within this “barrio” is the Los Leones hill, upon which are some lovely, private houses that overlook the exclusive Los Leones Golf Club the other side.
Also in this sector are modern office buildings, and top-end restaurants along the street called Isidora Goyenechea with underground car parking under the same street.
This area emits the “wealthy” vibe and is, indeed, nice. Consequently, some of the best hotels in Santiago are also in this area or close by.