Hotel Mar & Vino

The staff were warm and quick to help, and the place has a lovely feel: modern woodwork that still makes it cozy. I especially enjoyed the excellent fish they get from local vendors. It’s only two blocks from the beach, and I’d happily stay here again for a weekend of surfing in Pichilemu.

We planned on staying at Mar y Vino for three nights, but ended up spending a full week there. My mother and I felt comfortable and cared for, especially when she ran into unexpected difficulties while travelling. The staff found her an adapted room suitable for limited mobility, shared tips about local happenings, and introduced us to nearby businesses and their families. Their kindness and generosity made a hard moment feel much easier. Everything is easy to reach on foot, from the lovely beach and surf lessons to nearby shops and restaurants. There’s a café right outside with some of the best gelato I’ve had. For trips farther out, collectivos and private taxis are a block away and felt quick and safe. The rooms were lovely and the amenities helpful, and the location is great too. But what I’ll remember most is how the whole team made us feel welcome. Thank you all for taking such good care of us. I’d absolutely recommend Mar y Vino, especially if you value a little extra comfort and care while away.

We left early because the stay was so bad. The photos are misleading, and the hotel is just a few rooms behind a row of bars and restaurants. In the “Double Economy” room, we had to climb a smelly outdoor staircase with flies, apparently because fruit was rotting underneath. The room above the kitchen felt like an old shed painted white, with dirty curtains and a dingy bathroom. The shower swung between hot and cold, then sometimes shut off completely from low pressure. There was noise all day from a huge whirring machine. The kitchen door below slammed at all hours and the sound carried through the room; restaurant music went until about 11 pm, followed by loud club music until around 2 am. We told reception about the water pressure and machine noise. They offered a free hot tub dip and drinks. We had other plans during the day and asked instead for reimbursement of the hot tub’s $30,000 CLP value, but they refused. They ask for half the stay as an advance deposit, have a strict cancellation policy, and require full payment upfront. Given how things went, I’d tell people not to stay here.

The noise was constant, with a bar stage just beyond the rooms and a lot of sound coming through. The breakfast was limited and poor, unless you like very watered-down, nondescript juice-like drinks. I was even refused a glass of orange juice. Staff seemed unsure of what they were doing, and the rooms lacked basics such as night tables. There was no Wi-Fi in the room despite the listing, and no hair dryer. It gave me the impression the place had only just opened. Parking was difficult too. The lot is a long way up a dirt road and hard to find, while street parking is almost nonexistent. We got lucky and found a spot right in front of the hotel. I wouldn't skip the town, but I'd look at staying elsewhere in town, or even camping at the beach. One odd thing: mine was the only review here at first. A couple of hours after I posted, a five-star review appeared from someone with just one review total. Then, two hours after that comment, another five-star review from an account with one review showed up too. You be the judge. 😁