I had visited Santiago in 2002 and stayed in the Parador but I considered it now to be overpriced. I found the Hotel Rua Villar (located in Rua do Villar, a few steps from the Cathedral) through a review in the NY Times. It is a lovely boutique hotel. My room (I think it was #13) was a double with walls with exposed stones and very modern bathroom. The hotel has A/C which came in very handy since I was in Santiago during a heat wave and it was very hot.
The breakfast was included and although not great it was satisfactory. The staff was very nice and helpful.
The location was great, a few steps from the cathedral. The room was well insulated from noise but if I tried very hard I could hear the bells from the cathedral. My room looked to the pedestrian Rua Do Villar and had a nice french balcony with geranium boxes. I paid 110Euros for a double, single occupancy.
I would definitively stay there again. Highly recommend it.
- Rua Villar Hotel
