Colombian Art, Culture and Cuisine

Overview

The beautiful Four Seasons Casa Medina was the creative vision of Santiago Medina Mejia, a Paris-educated artist and architect from Medellin. He salvaged local architectural treasures, such as stone columns and hand-carved wooden doors from two recently demolished colonial convents, to create was declared a monument by the country’s Ministry of Culture in the 1980s.

The hotel features 62 rooms and suites, where beamed ceilings and aged leather accents coupled with fresh, contemporary touches making them a sophisticated blend of old and new.

The hotel has two restaurants; the lively La Bodega that focuses on tapas and Colombian coffee, and Castanyoles Raciones y Tapas, where guests chave the option to dine in the beautiful glass atrium with Spanish tiles, living walls and drop lights.

There is also a gym and a spa with treatment rooms, relaxation room and steam room.

Overview

In the heart of the Quinta Camacho neighbourhood of Bogota, surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops, you’ll find Casa Legado. This family owned bed and breakfast adorns a pretty, almost 1950’s aesthetic, with lots of natural light coupled with delicate pastel colours to ease the mind when retiring at night. The 13 spacious rooms each boast a unique style, inspired by the natural beauty of the country and all rooms are perfectly designed to ensure you feel right at home. Some rooms offer balcony spaces, with views of the relaxing garden space.

A delicious breakfast buffet can be enjoyed in the spacious communal kitchen area before you make the most of the free bikes on offer on which to explore the wonders of this amazing city. Also, here you can enjoy a Thai massage or a yoga session to help you wind down at the end of the day.

Overview

Located near the bars, restaurants and boutiques of Usaquén, is the W Bogota – a sleek hotel with a thoroughly contemporary feel.

The W is inspired by the legend of El Dorado, a mythical chief who was covered in gold dust before setting sail on Lake Guatavita, into which his attendents threw gold and emeralds. There are several elements that allude to this magical tale throughout the hotel.

There are 168 rooms, ranging from the Wonderful, Spectacular and Fabulous rooms to the impressive Marvellous, Wow or Extreme Wow suites. Decor is modern with splashes of bold colours and shimmering bathroom tiles. Beds are shaped like the raft aboard which the chief travelled across Lake Guatavita.

Relax with a tropical fruit juice or a lulo mojito at the W Lounge. The lounge is the heart of the hotel and features delicate gold chain curtains and a huge graffiti mural depicting an interpretation of the El Dorado legend. For casual dining, head to The Market Kitchen which embraces the farm-to-table concept.

There is a fitness centre that looks out over Bogota’s skyline as well as a spa with steam room, treatment rooms and hydrotherapy pool.

Overview

Located within Bogota’s exclusive business district, this is a modern boutique hotel with impeccable style. A contemporary design concept, which runs throughout the hotel, takes inspiration from Colombia’s most opulent exports: gold and emeralds. There is great attention to detail here, meaning B.O.G is well deserving of its Design Hotels membership.

Their guest rooms and suites feature luxurious touches such as 500-thread count linens and bath products, exclusively produced for the hotel, and modern amenities such as complimentary WiFi and iPod docking stations also come as standard.

B.O.G’s restaurant, La Leo, is superb and offers fusion dishes inspired and built on by traditional local recipes. Scan and choose from a fantastic cocktail menu whilst sitting at the rooftop Terrace Bar and pool, or there’s the Lounge Bar for a relaxing aperitif or two before you eat or to relax after a long flight.

Overview

A stay at Elcielo Hotel in Medellin is all about comfort and elegance. The exterior of the hotel has a simple, almost industrial feel that hides the sophisticated and calming opulence inside; think marble floors, wooden panelled walls and comfortable, stylish wooden furniture. 

The hotel boasts four categories of guest suites ranging from the cosy, yet spacious standard suites to the larger presidential suites with living area, two bathrooms and luxury jacuzzi. The rooms are decorated within the same style as the hotel with chic wooden signature walls, marble floors and large windows draped with neutral toned luxury linen. 

The social areas are spellbinding with huge stairways and auditorium style reception that are punctuated with lush green indoor plants contrasting against the simple, cool interiors. There’s a wonderful rooftop terrace complete with swimming pool and comfortable furniture to lounge on while enjoying the city view and perhaps a cocktail. Elcielo Restaurant is a signature cuisine restaurant based on neuroscience which has been applied to local products. Enjoy tasting menus that take you on sensory and gastronomic journeys designed to stimulate the senses. The chef’s team celebrates the tastes of Colombia using an exciting combination of ancient and modern techniques.

Overview

Located in the city’s popular El Poblado district, the recently refurbished Medellin Marriott is a great option for those wanting to be in easy reach of all this city has to offer.

There are 166 rooms and suites, bright and spacious with a crisp, clean finish. Dining options at the hotel are great. Start your day with a wonderful breakfast in the large, light-filled lounge then enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner at The Market or Nau, an Asian restaurant serving excellent sushi and noodles. There is a terrace at Nau where you can enjoy the balmy Medellin evenings.

You’ll also find a fitness centre and spa at the hotel, as well as an outdoor pool on the fourth floor.

Overview

Casa San Agustin is an intimate boutique hotel perfectly placed within Cartagena’s colourful old walled city, only a stone’s throw from the turquoise Caribbean coast. Its terrific position immerses you in the city’s storied history, where cobbled lanes prop typical Colombian buildings with wrought-iron balconies overflowing with bright flowers.

The hotel itself, comprising three connecting 17th-century homes, evokes a bygone age with classic stucco exteriors and beautiful traditional touches inside. Rooms and suites spotlight dark wood-beamed ceilings, four-poster beds, stone floors and elegantly tiled bathrooms. But natural fabrics alongside a palette of soft blues and greens add a fresh, contemporary edge.

Some spaces gaze to the street life below, while others open to the pretty inner gardens. ‘Premium Suites’, with leafy patios and private Jacuzzis, are suited most to couples and honeymooners; families or groups of friends, on the other hand, will love the larger ‘Prestige Suites’ and ‘Suite del Virray’, featuring thoughtfully designed living areas and personal balconies or terraces.

Throughout the hotel, you’ll find plenty of indoor-outdoor spaces designed for relaxation. At the centre of the courtyard, a freshwater pool beneath an ancient aqueduct offers a refreshing escape from the heat, along with shaded daybeds nestled between tropical palms. There’s also a lovely rooftop terrace, framed by vibrant pink bougainvillaea, and a serene library adorned with original frescoes – perfect for enjoying a peaceful afternoon tea.

For a truly relaxing experience, treat yourself to a soothing session at the intimate spa, where treatments feature local ingredients like Colombian coffee and volcanic mud. The dining experience is just as rooted in tradition. Alma Restaurant brings the heart of Colombian cuisine to life with standout dishes such as Cartagena-style seafood casserole and freshly made ceviche.

Overview

Bastion Luxury Hotel is located in Cartagena’s charming old town in a restored 16th-century private home. A colonial aesthetic runs though the hotel balanced perfectly with more contemporary touches.

Its 51 elegant rooms and suites have a neutral colour scheme and feel bright and fresh. Some come with a separate living area and outdoor terrace.

The hotel’s restaurant, El Gobernador, showcases the best of Colombian cuisine and offers a nine-course tasting menu, while the patio restaurant offers more relaxed dining. El Gobernador also has a small patio which is a lovely space to enjoy breakfast.

The rooftop terrace is a real highlight of the hotel with a good sized swimming pool, ample space to relax under a cabana and a bar where you can enjoy a drink and light bites as the sun goes down of the beautiful city of Cartagena.

There is also a small spa with treatment room and outdoor Jacuzza and relaxation area, as well as a small gym.

Overview

With a history dating back to 1621, the former convent of Saint Clare of Assisi is now one of Cartagena’s grandest and most illustriest hotels. The Sofitel Santa Clara is still home to crypts, wells, confessionals and paintings which have been expertly resorted to fit its new life as a modern luxuiry hotel.

At the centre of the hotel is a large courtyard filled with lush tropical plants and framed by the original stone arches of the convent. There are 123 rooms and suites, including four ‘iconic’ suites, two of which are insired by famous Colombian artists, Fernando Botero and Enrique Grau Araujo. More modern rooms complete with contemporary republican décor are  available, many with views of the city wall and Caribbean Sea. There’s also the option of staying in the cavernous and colourful colonial rooms adorned with grand antique furniture.

Enjoy modern cuisine with a Caribbean touch at the Santa Clara’s two restaurants, El Claustro and 1621, and make time to relax with a drink in the beautiful garden.

The hotel is home to a large outdoor swimming pool as well as a spa and small fitness centre.

Overview

Behind the doors of a typical house from the 17th century in the heart of Cartagena is Hotel Amarla, a beautiful space which we recommend booking as a private property.

On entering the house, you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous lounge area characterised by whitewashed walls, large archways and wooden ceiling beams and filled with  antiques and Colombian handicrafts. Part of this area is open-air and filled with tropical plants.

There are seven rooms including their signature duplex suite with two bedrooms and bathrooms. One of the highlights of Hotel Amarla is the spectacular rooftop pool which overlooks the candy coloured dome of the cathedral. There is plenty of shaded space up here as well as a staircase that leads up to another small terrace which is a real sun trap. Views don’t get much better than this.