(Aug 22): Mandarin Oriental is opting for the safe bet over the big bet in South America.

The luxury hotel operator is bypassing Sao Paulo, the region’s cultural and financial hub, in favour of the relatively sedate Santiago. The Chilean capital may not have the glitzy appeal of the Brazilian metropolis -- and the rich travellers that go with it -- but it also doesn’t have the crime.

Santiago’s calm was the biggest factor when Mandarin Oriental International Ltd looked to Latin America, country manager Ignacio Rodriguez said in an interview. Now, the Hong Kong-based hotel chain is working at full speed to refurbish a hotel previously operated by Hyatt for an early 2019 launch. The property, which has 310 guestrooms and 23 suites, will be rebranded as a Mandarin Oriental.

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