Hostess: Nene was very helpful with our many questions as we are new to Airbnb, she was patient with our inability to plan precisely our arrival, she met us on time and explained everything about the apartment and the city. We did not use her help a lot during our month but due to a medical emergency it was great having her contact info at hand and knowing she was there if needed.
Apartment: exactly as discribed, comfortable, had almost everything needed. I cooked most days in the tiny kitchen with no problem. Great cleaning service and help with laundry. Now in Ecuador and really realizing how much cleaner and better equipped Nene's place was than what we have here. Everyone, residents, staff, and even nearby store owners were wonderful to us! Very secure building day and night. Veranda and glass doors get sun in winter when needed but not in summer...thank goodness!
Neighborhood: as advertised, this is an Adventure in Santiago...not a luxury spa. The nicer parts of Santiago are like America and we could stay home for that. We choose to see this city as most residents see it. But, like in any big city where we are tourist from a "richer" nation, we took precautions. We did not go out after dark as there are bars on our street, we did not carry a purse, visible cameras, or nice looking back packs. We wear lots of securable pockets for phone, wallet, I.d., money and only carry what we need each day. We watch where we are, stay alert, act confident. We did not try the buses but there are taxis everywhere, very honest and cheap. Used the metro often. Loved the food. Several great resurants very near, good small ones on the block, an amazing market across the river and fish market next door (that is why I cooked often). Very noisy in the day, but quite enough when doors are closed.
The city long park runs right by here and we often used it to walk everywhere because it is cooler and more pleasant than the streets.
We were there one month in Dec/Jan.