Valpariaso - Lodging, etc

[GoVolsTB]

Commordore Dave....

 

We are staying at the Gervasoni next April so I will be interested in your opinion when you return. I also looked on Trip Advisor and there were only 2 reviews and both were in German!!! Where did you find reviews?

[commodoredave]

TB

There were several recent comments in the comment section of tripadvisor that were positive about the Gervasoni as follows:

"I was showing a visitor around Valparaiso last March and spotted the Gervasoni. I had once been in the house when it was a residence, so I was curious about it. I went to have a look inside. I was only in the public rooms, but the place had been beautifully restored with as many original features kept as possible. The people at the front desk were very pleasant. It has wonderful terraces for sitting or eating. In fact, it looks just like the pictures on the website. Security was excellent as you have to be buzzed in and out the front door, which faces a pedestrian lookout over the bay.

I know it doesn't tell you much about the rooms or service from personal experience, but might give you a better picture of what the hotel is like."

"I can add to D-M's comments that the rooms are great also, and they have great modern bathrooms, some of them built in the raw stone, very interesting.

Certainly advisable. Check their website, it's reliable.

http://www.hotelgervasoni.cl

Kind regards from Valparaíso,

Jdelapaz"

"If there is no matter with the budget, the Gervasoni, I have to say.

Good luck,

regards from Valparaíso,

Jdelapaz"

I will give you a full report with photos when I return from our cruise in december.

[GoVolsTB]

Commodore Dave...

 

Will be interested to hear what you think of the Gerovasi when you return. If you like you can email me directly at govolstb at yahoo dot com.

[commodoredave]

TB

Will do. I'll throw in some tips as well on what to see there and where to eat!!

[GoVolsTB]

Commodoredave..

 

Thanks. I will be awaiting your review. We have also reserved tours with Michael Arnold(http://www.myvalparaiso.cl). I found him thru Trip Advisor and he has been very responsive. Even calling me a few times. His prices are very reasonable. Are you using the hotel's transport? That also was quite reasonable. It is only 140.00 USD..airpot to hotel and hotel to cruise dock.

[GoVolsTB]

Pokemomma...

 

I'm sure the Robinson Caruso Inn if fine but if you change your plans, it is VERY DIFFICULT to obtain a refund. I canceled our reservation on July 20th because the rest of our party wanted the Gerovasi and Jorge responded that he had "requested his reservation department to issue a refund". He did state that "some times it takes close to 30 days to process". Well TODAY is 30 days and even though there have been several emails back and forth, I still have not received a refund. I now am going to dispute the charges with my credit card.

 

I am also going to post this info out of Trip Advisor that I'm sure will generate a heated response from Jorge. Any time there is any review even slightly negative he is not happy. I have also read that the number of positive reviews is because Jorge "strongly encourages" all visitors to post on Trip Advisor.

[commodoredave]

TB

I had not yet booked a tour or transport to the hotel, but will do so now based on your adviced. Many thanks.

[Pokemomma]

TB,

 

Thanks for the info on Robinson Crusoe. I hope you're able to secure your refund quickly. I have found that obtaining a refund is often difficult in places where life seems to have a slower 'manana' kind of pace and 4 to 6 weeks wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

The Gervasoni looks lovely and I did consider cancelling and rebooking, but honestly, we booked RC because of it's quirky appearance and because I enjoyed reading Jorge's responses on Trip Advisor :D I'm sure your post will definitely get a response from Jorge. ;) He seems quite the character and I'm looking forward to meeting him. He's been exceptionally responsive and helpful.

 

It looks like we're sailing before you are so I'll post about the RC when return in February. Bon Voyage!

[JTor]

Visiting wineries in Chile is not what you might expect if you are more used to California etc. You generally need an appointment everywhere you go. I would suggest visiting one (at most 2) in a day, since you need to have time to find them (not a lot of signs) and once there they expect you to spend some time (tour, tasting, often lunch; some offer other activities like hikes, cycling, or carriage rides). The advantage of going on a tour is that they will make arrangements with the wineries and keep you on-schedule. If you are doing it alone in a rental car you can find the wineries on line and email them to book your tours. I can recommend the following from my own recent trip:

 

info@winetravelchile.com - excellent tour company. Karen is very knowledgeable about wine (she used to live in France)

House of Morande - superb wines and a lovely restaurant in the Casablanca valley

Matetic Vineyards - also superb wines, "almost" organic, fabulous architecture and brand-new all gravity production line. Also a very pretty restaurant.

[JamieinChile]

Hi there, this may help you. Valparaiso has a new mayor, he has been working with various groups, one of them the smaller individual based family owned B&B / hostals and they have just recently made a collective website. I picked up the flyer at the hospitality desk from the city inside the cruise terminal on my last day there,

www.alojamientoenvalparaiso.cl

there are many new ones listed there. Valparaiso has become the new boutique B&B in the last two years. There are several new european style high end small hotels which are only soon to celebrate their 2nd year in business.

[Bethe55]

We are booked into a place called the Grand House in Valparaiso before our trip on Jan 4th - haven't been there before but it has good reviews on trip advisor - It looks nice on the website (just google the name and Valparaiso Chile and it comes up) - I can let you know how it is when I get there but might be too late for you

[Tampa Girl]

For those of you who have taken the bus or train from Santiago to Valparaiso or Vina, is there space for the amount of luggage (usually two, 26" pieces and 2 carryon) that one tends to take on a cruise?

[oavcech95]

Hi, well its a bus, and it has their space for the luggage, you dont put it up of your seat.

[greatam]

For those of you who have taken the bus or train from Santiago to Valparaiso or Vina, is there space for the amount of luggage (usually two, 26" pieces and 2 carryon) that one tends to take on a cruise?

 

There is no train to Santiago. The train runs between Vina and Valparaiso (not very far-like a local commuter light rail type train.) If you mean the regular, city type buses, it would definitely be a hassle with more than a carry on size bag. But there are long range buses similar to Greyhound, which would be fine. But you will have to get out of the cruise port, find a taxi, then get to the bus terminal. Then get from the main bus station in Santiago to a hotel or airport. May be easier (not cheaper) to just take the cruise line transfer or find a private transfer.

[jjb415]

For those of you who have taken the bus or train from Santiago to Valparaiso or Vina, is there space for the amount of luggage (usually two, 26" pieces and 2 carryon) that one tends to take on a cruise?

 

Yes, the driver will take your luggage and place it in the baggage compartment, then give you a receipt. Upon arrival in Valparaiso he will remove luggage and take your receipt. I checked 2 pieces for my sailing on the Norwegian Dream. There is also room for carryon above your seat. Seats are reserved and they will give you a seat assignment when you buy your ticket.

 

Taking the bus from Santiago to Valpariaso is very easy. I've posted directions here before. You can even walk from the bus station to the cruise terminal.

[TheMiz]

I have a Jan 31st Flight to Santiago on LAN and I just read the talk about the transfer from Santiago airport to Vina del Mar, has anyone used it?

 

One thing I am flying on LAN through my BA miles but I don't see a share code.

[greatam]

I have a Jan 31st Flight to Santiago on LAN and I just read the talk about the transfer from Santiago airport to Vina del Mar, has anyone used it?

 

One thing I am flying on LAN through my BA miles but I don't see a share code.

 

Contact LAN directly. There is a shuttle for LAN passengers from the airport to the Casino/hotel in Vina. Cost was minimal last year (IIRC, $10.00).

 

You are on a LAN flight. Does not matter whether you used BA miles, AA miles, Cathay miles or paid cash. No codeshare needed/wanted. Enjoy the flight.

[TheMiz]

Contact LAN directly. There is a shuttle for LAN passengers from the airport to the Casino/hotel in Vina. Cost was minimal last year (IIRC, $10.00).

 

You are on a LAN flight. Does not matter whether you used BA miles, AA miles, Cathay miles or paid cash. No codeshare needed/wanted. Enjoy the flight.

 

 

 

Great I have an email off to LAN .

 

Thanks for the info.

[BurBunny]

Great I have an email off to LAN .

 

Good luck with that. Terrific airline, rotten ground support and customer service at times.