Colombian Art, Culture and Cuisine

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.

The Sofitel Victoria Regia is located in Bogota’s Zona Rosa district, with many of the capital’s top shops and restaurants on its doorstep. It takes its name from the beautiful water lily that can be found in the Colombian Amazon, and if you look up as soon as you enter the hotel, you’ll see a beautiful stained glass skylight inspired by the Victoria Regia. There are 102 rooms and suites, a blend of local Colombian character and classic French elegance. Basilic is the hotel’s in-house restaurant, serving exquisite Mediterranean cuisine using local ingredients. There is also a bar where guests can enjoy a drink before heading out to explore Bogota’s incredible foodie scene. For those that like to keep active while away, there is a small gym as well as treatment rooms where you can indulge in a massage or beauty treatment.

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.

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.

Patio del Mundo is a beautiful boutique hotel that is wonderfully quiet and tranquil despite being in the heart of Medellin’s popular El Poblado district. The hotel was originally a private house and features just seven rooms, inspired by a different corner of the globe. Each of the rooms – Africa, Santa Fe, Provence, Andalusia, Bali, India and Cartagena de Indias – are impeccably styled, some with Jacuzzis and others with small private patios. There is a small lounge and library decorated with handicrafts from across Colombia and a beautiful terrace where guests can enjoy breakfast. The lush gardens are filled with wild orchids and mango trees and a winding pathway lined with avocado and orange trees leads you down to a small decking area with a Jacuzzi. You are ideally located to explore the fascinating city of Medellin which has undergone a radical transformation in the last decade and there are plenty of great restaurants a short walk from the hotel.

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.

Casa San Agustin is a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Cartagena’s vibrant old town. The hotel comprises three connecting 17th-century buildings, in the middle of which are the remains of an aqueduct which was used to collect rainwater for the walled city. There are 31 rooms and suites, some with their own Jacuzzi and small balcony. Rooms have maintained their colonial charm with dark wooden beamed ceilings and tiled bathrooms, but the soft blues and greens and natural fabrics add a fresh, contemporary edge. The large duplex prestige suite is ideal for small groups or families with two large en suite bedrooms, living room and small kitchen. There are beautiful orchids, Colombia’s national flower, in each room. The open-air swimming pool sits at the heart of the hotel with the aqueduct towering above. It is the perfect place to cool off and relax after a day exploring the city of Cartagena. There is a small rooftop terrace as well as a library, which features original frescoes uncovered during the renovation, where a daily afternoon tea is served. The Alma Restaurant is the perfect place to try traditional Colombian cuisine, with seafood casserole and ceviche perennially popular. The Alma Bar is a beautiful space and ideal for unwinding with a G&T. Breakfast can be enjoyed indoors or on the patio. The Aurum Spa is inspired by the gold Colombia is so famous for, and is a beautifully relaxing space where guests can indulge in a treatment.

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.  

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.

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.