Sitting on the wonderfully-named Cerro Alegre (meaning 'Cheerful Hill'), Casa Higueras began as a 1920s mansion, which was restored and upgraded to fit the growing cosmopolitan changes in Valpariaso. Casa Higueras is five storeys of polished rooms, breezy balconies and interiors decorated with flowering orchids, vintage furnishings and luxury amenities. Once a stop-over port for 19th-century ships, Valpariaso was honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ripe with history and a deep appreciation for the arts. And the best way to experience the city in its renaissance? Undoubtedly on foot, admiring the colourful merchant houses and street art that lines the streets at your leisure.
/-71.63048593863344,-33.0398911909496,6/600x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidGltYnVrdHV0cmF2ZWwiLCJhIjoiY2poMGw1eHpkMmRkbDJ6bW8xYWZ5OGpjYyJ9.PYvAO7lUJ40SOpGvwmQLqw&attribution=false&logo=false)
The rooms were designed to be as comfortable as possible with noise-reducing windows, double-sheeted beds and vaulted ceilings for added space. The colour schemes vary from cream to blue and olive green but each has a touch of old-world elegance. The bathrooms are elegant with Italian fixtures, large showers, and most have a freestanding or sunken tub too. The suites are the largest and have private terraces sporting sun loungers and a dining table. Each room also has WiFi.
Casa Higueras' uber-stylish interiors, offering a taste of Valpariaso's heritage and burgeoning revival.
There are a number of interconnecting rooms, one of which features a four-poster bed and sunken tub and shares an interior patio with a waterfall wall feature. Families, keep in mind that children have to be 12 or older.
While Valpariaso is slowly getting its shine back after years of neglect, the city is by no means perfect, and the dining terrace faces a shabby hillside.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Casa Higueras can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Chile trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Chile trips featuring Casa Higueras or get advice and suggestions from one of our Chile specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Casa Higueras start from around $120, or US$120, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Multi-coloured, quixotic, haphazard perfection awaits in Chile’s second-largest city
