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Best of Latin American Travel - Part 2
Hotel options, event facilities of note, business travel issues and cost comparisons in Mexico City, Panamá City, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santiago de Chile
By Mark Chesnut
The second of our multi-part series on the Best of Travel explores the best travel experiences in Latin America in five of the region's top 10 business destinations. Selected after exhaustive research by our sister publication, Latin Trade magazine, these hotels, meeting locations and more can serve as a guide for your travels.
Click to read the first part of our series, which explored Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Guadalajara and Lima.
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Four Seasons México City
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MÉXICO CITY Most Improved Hotel: JW Marriott México City A $30 million renovation, started in 2013, is bringing refreshed style to the guest rooms and lobby, as well as an expanded fitness center. Meeting rooms are to undergo a revamp in 2014. Best Classic Style: Four Seasons México City The classic elegance and superb service at this well-located luxury hotel has made it one of México City's most favored destinations for business travelers. Best Contemporary Style: W México City Located in the upscale Polanco district, the W México City combines sleek style with business-friendly amenities and location. Most Functional Hotel Meeting Space: Camino Real Polanco A member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts, the Camino Real Polanco is known for its contemporary Mexican architecture and artwork. But business-minded travelers also take note of the more than 47,000 square feet of meeting space for up to 2,000 people. Best Hotel Value for the Price: Fiesta Inn Santa Fe México City Located in the fast-growing Santa Fe business district, just one block from Expo Bancomer Santa Fe, the Fiesta Inn offers reasonable rates, free breakfast buffet, free Wi-Fi, a business center and access to meeting rooms at the adjacent Fiesta Americana Santa Fe.  | | JW Marriott Hotel México City Santa Fe |
Best Hotel Concierge/Club Floor: JW Marriott Hotel México City Santa Fe The newest JW property in México City, this hotel features an executive lounge with stylish furnishings, coffee table books and an ample serving area for food and drinks. Free services include a full American breakfast, afternoon tea, hors d'oeuvres, dessert, non-alcoholic beverages and pressing of two garments per stay. Noteworthy Convention/Event Facility: Pepsi Center WTC
In 2012, the World Trade Center unveiled a second theater, the 3,000-seat Pepsi Center, which offers 52,000 square feet of expo space. Best Equipped Convention/Event Facility: Centro Banamex This convention and exhibition center has more than 366,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as 32,100 square feet of meeting space. Interesting Meeting/Event Venues: The Interactive Museum of Economics (Museo Interactivo de Economía) is a logical venue to host business-minded groups. Billed as the first museum in the world dedicated exclusively to economics, the museum's event space includes a 500-person patio, a 12-person boardroom and multiple meeting rooms. Big Issue for Business Travel: The growth of the Santa Fe business district, with brand-new hotels, meeting and office space, is providing attractive new options for business travelers. Cost of Doing Business: Reasonable to expensive (room rates $244, meal and incidental expenses $118, maximum per diem $362) PANAMÁ CITY Most Improved Hotel: Bristol Panamá A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the Bristol Panamá debuted a brand-new tower in 2012 with tastefully designed, spacious and well-appointed guest rooms, a lounge, swimming pool and spa. Best Classic Style: The Bristol Panamá Luxurious condominium-style apartments feature handsome, conservative yet stylish décor, making it easy to settle in and get to work.  | | Waldorf Astoria Panamá |
Best Contemporary Style: Waldorf Astoria Panamá The first Waldorf Astoria hotel to open in Central or South America, this Panamá City hotel exudes contemporary yet comfortable style, with a rich cream and café con leche palette accented with dramatic touches of gold. Most Functional Hotel Meeting Space: El Panamá Convention Center & Casino A member of Summit Hotels & Resorts, El Panamá has so much meeting space - enough for 3,000 delegates - that it partners with other area hotels to offer a variety of accommodation options to fit different budgets. Best Hotel Value for the Price: TRYP by Wyndham Panamá Centro Centrally located in the El Cangrejo district, the TRYP offers free Wi-Fi, breakfast and parking, and has three meeting rooms and a VIP room. Best Hotel Concierge/Club Floor: Miramar Panamá, an InterContinental City Hotel The InterContinental Miramar has always been known for offering some of the best views of any Panamá City hotel. Guests on the executive floors can enjoy the panorama while sipping on cocktails and enjoying hors d'oeuvres and breakfast. Noteworthy Convention/Event Facility: New Panamá Convention Center
It's taking longer than expected to build, but the brand-new convention center rising along the Amador Causeway, near the mouth of the Panamá Canal, will add more than 613,000 square feet of new space to the city. Best Equipped Convention/Event Facility: Atlapa Until the brand-new convention center opens, the king of the hill is Atlapa, which sits across the street from the Sheraton Panamá Hotel & Convention Center. The eight-acre complex can accommodate up to 10,500 people. Interesting Meeting/Event Venues: BioMuseo
Famed architect Frank Gehry's first creation in Latin America, the BioMuseo - which focuses on ecological and cultural exhibits - is sure to be a popular venue for private events when it finally opens in 2014. Big Issue for Business Travel: Factors making Panamá City more attractive for business travelers include the expansion of Tocumen International Airport, extremely competitive hotel rates due to massive hotel growth, and the promise of improved traffic/transportation situation following the opening of the city's first Metro rail line. Cost of Doing Business: Inexpensive (Maximum room rates $158, meal and incidental expenses $96, maximum per diem $254) RIO DE JANEIRO Most Improved Hotel: Copacabana Palace by Orient-Express In 2013, this legendary hotel finished a $20 million upgrade, with refurbished guest rooms, a revamped Cipriani restaurant and larger lobby. Best Classic Style: Copacabana Palace by Orient-Express
This hotel's stately neoclassic style and upscale service and amenities have attracted politicians, celebrities and business travelers since long before commercial jets began touching down. The  | | Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites |
formula still works. Best Contemporary Style: Fasano Rio de Janeiro The São Paulo brand's Rio debut has set new standards for Rio's boutique hotel scene. Most Functional Hotel Meeting Space: Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites Located in the fast-growing and increasingly important Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, the Sheraton has nearly 12,000 square feet of meeting space. Best Hotel Value for the Price: Rio Othon Palace Tour groups may crowd the lobby desk, but savvy business travelers enjoy the value and convenience of the VIP check-in and service. Best Hotel Concierge/Club Floor: Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
The Club Lounge has a business center for private meetings as well as a veranda that offers beautiful views of Rio's beaches. Noteworthy Convention/Event Facility: Centro de Convenções SulAmérica Located in the Cidade Nova business complex, SulAmérica offers space for business meetings, events and parties. Best Equipped Convention/Event Facility: Riocentro
One of the hosts for the 2016 Olympics, Riocentro is investing in upgrades, while the adjacent new Grand Mercure hotel, slated to open in 2014, will make it even more convenient. Interesting Meeting/Event Venues: Maracanã Stadium
Upgrades for the World Cup are making this famous stadium more comfortable for the general public, while the new museum and VIP areas will also make it more attractive for business events and groups. Big Issue for Business Travel: Progress may be slower than planned, but the World Cup and Olympics are bringing an influx of investment in new hotels and infrastructure investment - especially downtown and in Barra da Tijuca. Business travelers should reap the benefits of increased choice and competition. Cost of Doing Business: Expensive (Maximum room rates $361, meal and incidental expenses $157, maximum per diem $518)  | |
Ritz-Carlton Santiago
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SANTIAGO DE CHILEMost Improved Hotel: InterContinental Santiago A new tower built in 2011 has added 81 new guest rooms, two swimming pools and additional meeting and event space. Best Classic Style: The Ritz-Carlton Santiago Located in the El Golf neighborhood, the Ritz-Carlton features stately design details and service that includes daily wine tastings. Best Contemporary Style: W Santiago Starwood's W brand is known for hip design statements, and the W Santiago is no exception - especially in the aptly named Extreme Wow Suite, which has a 1,905-square-foot private terrace. Most Functional Hotel Meeting Space: InterContinental Santiago
The recent addition of a second tower has only added to the InterContinental's appeal for business gatherings; with more than 27,000 square feet of meeting space, it's one of the largest venues in the city. Best Hotel Value for the Price: Crowne Plaza Santiago Extensive meeting facilities and amenities, as well as a central location on Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, make this hotel a stalwart with business travelers. Best Hotel Concierge/Club Floor: Grand Hyatt Santiago The Grand Hyatt's "hotel within a hotel" concept, the Grand Club, features 38 rooms and 23 suites, and a private, three-story atrium lounge that features board games, a billiard table and free breakfast, as well as impressive views of the Andes. Noteworthy Convention/Event Facility: Centro Parque Eventos & Convenciones Located in Parque Araucano, near the Las Condes business and commercial district, this venue offers 92,600 square feet of space for everything from small business meetings to large fairs and shows. Best Equipped Convention/Event Facility: Centro de Convenciones Espacio Riesco With more than 355,000 square feet of pavilions and covered areas, Espacio Riesco has lots flexible event and meeting space. Interesting Meeting/Event Venues: Centro Cultural Estación Mapocho
This historic former train station has been recast as a cultural center, with 33 different spaces for private group use. Big Issue for Business Travel: In 2013, the first phase of a renovation and expansion project started at Santiago's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Already a big hub for LAN Airlines, the expansion - which will grow capacity to 16 million passengers per year by 2015 - should bring new flight options for travelers. Cost of Doing Business: Reasonable (Maximum room rates $190, meal and incidental expenses $96, maximum per diem $286)  | | InterContinental São Paulo |
SÃO PAULO Most Improved Hotel: InterContinental São Paulo Fully renovated in 2011, the InterContinental São Paulo's stylish redesign includes interactive guest check-in stations, a revamped lobby, expanded Club Lounge and guestrooms with new furniture and lighting. Best Classic Style: Grand Hyatt São Paulo Attractive, thoughtful design and amenities, with an eye on business travelers' needs, keeps this hotel top-of-mind with many frequent flyers. Best Contemporary Style: Hotel Unique Is it a giant slice of watermelon, an extraterrestrial spaceship or simply an eye-catching bit of modern architecture? However you may view it, Hotel Unique serves up lots of style and an array of refreshing amenities. Most Functional Hotel Meeting Space: Grand Hyatt São Paulo
With nearly 33,000 square feet of meeting and event space, as well as multiple dining options and business services, the Grand Hyatt São Paulo makes it easy to do business. Best Hotel Value for the Price: Mercure São Paulo A prized central location, decent amenities and business services help the Mercure stand out among mid-range hotels. Best Hotel Concierge/Club Floor: Grand Hyatt São Paulo In addition to free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, Grand Club guests also get one hour of free use of the Club Lounge meeting room. Best Equipped Convention/Event Facility: Anhembi Parque More than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space puts Anhembi Parque firmly on the list of meeting and event planners. Interesting Meeting/Event Venues: Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo
The oldest art museum in the city allows private groups to meet and socialize amid a stunning collection of international art. Big Issue for Business Travel: The new Terminal 3 at Guarulhos International Airport is scheduled to open by May 2014, adding 22 gates and additional aircraft parking. Terminals 1 and 2 are slated for renovation next. Cost of Doing Business: Expensive (Maximum room rates $282, meal and incidental expenses $145, maximum per diem $427) Future installments of Best of Travel will run during March and April, and will cover the best in hotels, airlines, airports and car rental services. Four Seasons México City, courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel; JW Marriott Hotel México City Santa Fe, courtesy of Marriott International; Waldorf Astoria Panamá, courtesy of Hilton Hotels; Sheraton Barra Hotel & Suites by Patricia Figueira; Ritz-Carlton Santiago, courtesy of Marriott International; InterContinental São Paulo, courtesy of IHG Hotels Back to top | 
