Arrival/Check-In: My flight landed in Santiago early in the morning. I made my way to the Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center, less than a two-hour drive from the airport. The property is situated directly along the Pacific Ocean in Viña del Mar. My room was ready even though I arrived prior to check-in time. Tired from my trip, I immediately made my way to my room on the sixth floor to rest.

Guest Quarters: After I settled in a bit, I took a brief nap before leaving for the day. The gentle sounds of the ocean waves rocked me to sleep.

The property boasts 142 rooms, all with ocean views. My superior room featured a king-sized bed with a variety of pillows, two plush chairs, a desk, balcony with two chairs, complimentary WiFi and other standard guestroom amenities. Most television channels were in Spanish, except a couple of news networks broadcast in English. My room was stocked with bottled water during my stay. The bathroom featured a separate bathtub and shower with rainfall and standard showerhead options. I spent most of my visit exploring Viña del Mar, though I felt at home during the time I did spend in my room. I especially enjoyed the spectacular view of the ocean and Viña del Mar at sunset.

Services/Amenities: Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center offers visitors multiple meeting options, including five ballrooms and a foyer spanning three floors for a capacity of up to 1,200 guests. There are 14 event rooms in total, with 28,158 square feet of event space throughout the property.

The 24-hour fitness center boasts views of the ocean — a great motivator for a workout. The fitness center offers a variety of daily classes, including spin.

The spa adjoins the fitness center. All guests are welcome to use the sauna, hot tub, pool, steam room and lockers. Spa treatments may be booked for a fee. I indulged in a 60-minute massage on the first night of my stay. My therapist worked out my sore muscles from the plane ride and full day of activities. It proved the perfect way to end a long, busy day of travel.

Several on-site dining options are available. I dined at Travesia Restaurant each morning of my stay for the breakfast buffet. The spread featured a mix of cold and hot options including smoked salmon, pastries, fruit, cereal, chorizo, an omelet station and fresh fruit juice.

The property also offers 24-hour room service, with different menu options throughout the day. I ordered a light dinner to my room after my massage, as I was tired and not hungry for a large meal.

The last night of my stay, I enjoyed dinner at the ocean-level Las Olas Restaurant. The restaurant serves traditional Chilean cuisine, with an international influence. I sampled a variety of small plates to start, including ceviche and sushi. Seafood is quite popular in the ocean-front city, so I opted for grilled grouper with a salad of hearts of palm, artichokes and tomatoes for my main course. Chilean wine completed the fantastic meal.

Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center is the perfect property whether you stay in Viña del Mar for business or leisure.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ Spend time enjoying the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Viña del Mar coast from your guestroom, the fitness center, pool, restaurants or lobby.
◆ Dinner at Las Olas Restaurant was one of my favorite meals in Viña del Mar. Indulge in the restaurant’s superb seafood preparations and Chilean wine.
◆ Take advantage of the spa facilities, open to all guests, including the steam room, sauna and hot tub.

SHERATON MIRAMAR HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER

Ave. Marina N. 15
Viña del Mar, Chile
tel 56 32 238 8600
marriott.com