Santiago Lounges

[twoharts]

We are flying QF28 J in early November, I believe there are several lounges in Santiago, any advice on which to choose would be greatly appreciated, we have about 7 hours in transit arriving from Bogota at about 6am, Thanks in advance

 

[samh004]

Not been, but there seems to be 3 choices, Lounge access - oneworld & Santiago - Associated Lounge (American Airlines Admirals Club) | Qantas

 

[Fantic125]

I was last through there over two years ago, and the lounges were fairly small but functional.
The one I went to was partway through being re-furbished so it has most probably improved since then.
IIRC the lounges are all downstairs and not well signposted - you need to use the stairs or elevator to get to them from the main departures area.

 

[eric2011]

We are flying QF28 J in early November, I believe there are several lounges in Santiago, any advice on which to choose would be greatly appreciated, we have about 7 hours in transit arriving from Bogota at about 6am, Thanks in advance

I will be through the lounges twice over the next couple of weeks so will be more up to date after then. From what I have been able to find out the Mistral lounge is smaller and more intimate and had an upgrade a couple of years ago. The other lounge is the Neruda and is larger than the other. Others have said to use the Mistral.
Have cut and paste below from LAN website for your info.



VIP lounges in the Santiago Airport
Let LAN treat you to an environment where you can work, be entertained, or just get some rest. A natural setting with plenty of open space sets our Neruda and Mistral VIP lounges in Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport apart from the rest. Our lounges were designed with the aim of providing first-rate service to our passengers flying Business class and to members of the top two categories in the LANPASS frequent flyer program (Premium Silver and Comodoro).

If you wish to use the Mistral lounge in Santiago with more than one guest, including children, they will have to pay an entrance fee. A preferential price is offered to our members, but the benefit is subject to availability. This applies only to Comodoro members (preferential price of US$ 17) for a second or additional guest older than 2 years of age.

The VIP lounges in the Santiago Airport offer first-rate services, such as:

Business Center: Equipped with the most advanced technology. This includes eight workstations equipped with personal computers and internet connection, fax and photocopy machines and printers.
Connections: The VIP Lounge has network access points at various locations for connecting personal computers. In addition, there are telephones for local and international calling using a variety of carriers.
Entertainment while you wait: The lounges offer cable television and international magazines and newspapers.
Location:
The Neruda and Mistral VIP lounges are located in the international boarding zone, between gates 17 and 20. Operating hours: Monday through Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

 

[kpc]

VIP Lounge Neruda

Location details: Between gates 19 and 20
Opening hours: Daily: 05:3oam till last flight departs

I used the above lounge a couple of times last November...nothing special; showers and wifi available, drinks incl. small selection of alcoholic ones and small selection of unappetising food.

 

[eric2011]

VIP Lounge Neruda

Location details: Between gates 19 and 20
Opening hours: Daily: 05:3oam till last flight departs

I used the above lounge a couple of times last November...nothing special; showers and wifi available, drinks incl. small selection of alcoholic ones and small selection of unappetising food.

From what I've heard your report is pretty well spot on. Most reports suggest the Mistral lounge is superior although a lot smaller and can tend to get full quickly especially in peak times.

 

[twoharts]

Thanks everyone, we will try either the Mistral or Neruda, as we arrive early will probably try the Mistral first, I'll post a report when we get back, Eric2011: I'll be interested to hear what you think from your visits in the near future

 

[cirqueboy]

I did alot of transfers through SCL in 2012.

Neruda is the smaller one with uncomfortable chairs, basic food and beverages. If you smoke, Neruda has a smoking lounge at the back (other options are the Priority Pass lounge or the Cafe across from the QF gate - just buy a coffee inside and you'll be fine. They accept USD too).

Mistral is twice the size of Neruda and much nicer. There are large recliner chairs at the end of each side. If you want a rest, when you come in, turn to the left side and there is a quite room right down the end on the left with 3 day beds fitted out with pillows and a blanket. Given your long transit that early, I'd go for that one

 

[eric2011]

Thanks everyone, we will try either the Mistral or Neruda, as we arrive early will probably try the Mistral first, I'll post a report when we get back, Eric2011: I'll be interested to hear what you think from your visits in the near future

No problems twoharts I will report back to you with my opinions

 

[eric2011]

Are these any help ??

http://www.jaunted.com/files/6193/LANMistralSantiago.jpg

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/3...e+LAN's+Neruda+VIP+Lounge+at+Santiago+Airport

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/7...+LAN's+Mistral+VIP+Lounge+at+Santiago+Airport

 

[twoharts]

Thanks eric2011, those jaunted articles are quite good, as we are there for 7 hours we can try both lounges, Mistral sounds the better of the two, as before I will be interested in your report in the near future,
I believe Mistral has a small area with 3 daybeds for a snooze, can you confirm

 

[eric2011]

Thanks eric2011, those jaunted articles are quite good, as we are there for 7 hours we can try both lounges, Mistral sounds the better of the two, as before I will be interested in your report in the near future,
I believe Mistral has a small area with 3 daybeds for a snooze, can you confirm

I am currently sitting here in the Mistral lounge, while waiting for our flight to Rio. It is 11.00 am and mrs Eric and I are 2 of only 8 people who are using this lounge. It is a large room, approx 50 meters long by 20 meters wide. It has windows down one side where you can get a bit of a view out to the taxiways etc. It has about 5 booths in it each seating 4 people in very roomy conditions and the leather seats are quite comfortable although I wouldn't like to sit in them for a long period of time. Down the middle of the room there is another 30 or 40 seats plus normal tables and chairs
Contrary to your belief of day beds, I can not see anything of that nature. There is a number of chairs with little ottermans where you could pull them together and make a sort of bed but doubt that they would be real comfortable. The toilet facilities are fairly basic and clean but I cannot see any shower facilities. There is a business lounge and also good quality, free, wifi. Excellent little bar area with a smallish range of beers, wines and soft drinks and food snacks.

That's about it for the Mistral lounge, hope this is helpful. I will try to check out the other lounge in about 10 day (2nd Oct) on my return trip back to SYD.

 

[Canny man]

I fly through Santiago regularly and now use the Neruda (gate 19) exclusively. You can always get a seat, fast wi-fi and, the kicker for me, superb wine. Lan really tries to showcase the best regional wines and will have two Chilean and one Argentinean red on display along with a couple of interesting whites and Roederer champagne.

The snacks aren't worth a detour, but are varied and restocked regularly.

 

[twoharts]

We are sitting in the lounge at AKL waiting to board to Santiago, wont be able to access Lan lounges till we return in early Nov, thanks Eric2011 for your info re Mistral, would appreciate your report on Neruda when you get there next week, on a side we travelled PER to SYD on midnight horror last week, once again Qantas powers that be chose to have their worst A330-200, the blocked out middle seat in J on the flight that really need to have seats that allow for at least a halfway decent sleep, very very poor comparison to Emirates A380 on the next leg to AKL, Lan from all accounts should be OK, need some sleep

 

[eric2011]

Thanks eric2011, those jaunted articles are quite good, as we are there for 7 hours we can try both lounges, Mistral sounds the better of the two, as before I will be interested in your report in the near future,
I believe Mistral has a small area with 3 daybeds for a snooze, can you confirm

As promised twoharts, I am currently sitting in the other lounge (the Neruda lounge). This lounge is a long, skinny lounge broken into 2 sections by the lounge reception area. On arrival, at 11.00am for our trip back to SYD, like the other lounge, there are only approx 15-20 people in here. When you arrive at reception, off to the right is seating area for approx 75 people, a large kitchen/ bar area which is well stocked with beer, wines and soft drinks etc. the food selection is ok but not fantastic. In this area there is also the business centre with approx 8 work stations and computers. From reception, to the left, there is another another area which is the same size and seating wise, also with the food and bar service. This area also has the toilet facilities and showers. At the far end is another room glassed off from the lounge which contains 3 day beds, each fitted out with a pillow and blankets. So contrary to what you stated, the Neruda lounge has the day beds, NOT the Mistral.

In my opinion, reading between the lines as to what you are doing, the Neruda lounge (Gate 20) would be the one for you. It is about a 4 minute (150 meter) walk from where you clear customs, although if I remember you are doing it as a stop-over.

Finally, I have had a great time in South America and have visited Santiago in Chille, Rio de Janero & Iguasu falls in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uraguay. It has been amazing and Interesting, from the watching scenery to watching the "bar flys" in Rio. If any ones wants somewhere different to go for a holiday, this is worth considering.

 

[JohnM]

The Neruda is effectively the LAN F lounge; Mistral the J. Earlier this year with no-status brother and sister in law in tow, I couldn't guest two into Neruda but I could Into Mistral (Neruda dragon sent us down there).

Fortunately they have Roederer (often referred to as the Rolls Royce of NV champagnes) in both.

 

[tgh]

Just a quick update while I am on the spot.
LAN : Clean and tidy enough but absolutely zilch to eat...very poor at noon..
Leaving the the lan lounge hungry and grumpy , I did a prowl along the gate concourse decided I could probably buy a decent burger with my last few peso's, but decided to at least check out the anything but aa lounge.
AA : Here I find a very dirty ,tired , lightly occupied lounge , with a good range of small meal type snacks, hot soup etc etc.
All the usual spirits and a half dozen bottles of plonk.
Summary : today , aa by a long neck that would have been a good length if it wasn't for the grime..