I have been to Medellin 4 times and have stayed multiple weeks mostly. I stayed at the Dann Carlton the first three times. The suite was nice; the typical rooms are hit or miss: sometimes they are nice and sometimes there are problems like large smudge marks on the wall or noticeable grime. Note: I didn’t stay in one of the VIP suites on the top floors but would love to see what those are about.

pros: excellent value for the money compared to North American accommodations. safe in the compound. room service/poolside food quality is good. nonplussed on the rib restaurant on, I believe, the 8th floor. nice views in some rooms. nifty pool scene/good place to kick back with friends. enjoyed jogging on the treadmills by the pool, also. really liked the suite (it was the highest level suite available to the lay public on Expedia).

cons: some rooms need a refresh/seem heavily worn. staff is hit or miss: really awesome or borderline rude. most staff do not speak conversational English (as compared to the Charlee where all staff including maids are fluent). the location is quaint. love the park setting, but it isn’t the Charlee. in addition, I stayed a couple of times when there were a ton of Venezuelan and general homeless encampments in the park which made it seem edgy or unsafe to walk by. there seems to be a cycle where the policia clear out the camps for a while and then they are quickly re-established. I believe I saw a dead drug addict lying on the sidewalk on the edge of the park by the Harley Davidson dealership. I feel bad for the folks in the park but safety has to be considered in a review.

The Charlee is a whole different animal: clean, modern, super hospitality, delicious room service and bar food, super cool rooftop pool, incredible mixology, super cool hot tub room, location, location, location, etc. Did I mention the gym? Really beautiful locals get memberships so there are always lots of beautiful people walking through the lobby. Without a doubt, all future trips to Medellin will start and end at the Charlee. As a side note: I saw what looked to be drug police with the dogs combing through 2 rooms in my short stay there. I don’t remember ever seeing that at the Dann Carlton. For some hardcore revelers, that may be an issue. For me, however, that is never an issue.

pros: everything. gourmet ***** room service.

cons: some people may not like the noise coming off Parque Lleras. I didn’t think it was that bad (We were on the 8th or 9th floor with the hot tub suite). The walls must be pretty thick with the soundproofing because the neighbors were yelling at each other at the top of their lungs and it wasn’t that bad. the roof pool is small which could cause issues if a large group were to occupy it although it was empty while I was there. the gym is busy/wait time maybe on some machines.

Just returned to Medellin and stayed at the Medellin Royal NH! Superb hotel! Everything you need. 50 meters to the CC Santa Fe mall. The 4 points Sheraton close by is a great choice as well. The Charley is the most expensive. A Mariott is now in town too. IBIS is probsbly the most economical.

The Inntu Hotel in Laureles looks big from the outside, but it has just 4 rooms per floor. Great staff, and inexpensive if you reserve in advance. Near great restaurants and unique shopping. I stayed for a week. Have also stayed at the Sheraton 4 points on some trips, it’s nice and right at the Oviedo mall which has great restaurants and a Carulla grocery store.

Hi Ryan,

I am looking for a nice, small, cozy hotel in Laureles? Any suggestions?

Thank you.
Sarah

There is a Jacuzzi working up there on the top floor I did not see it the first time I went up there. I sat in it for an hour yesterday. It is next to the two treadmills, two stationary bikes and the two elliptical machines that all work. A steam room and a dry sauna up there too! This is a superb hotel and I would stay there again!

I stayed at the GHL Capitol in Bogota last November. Right next to it is the Sheraton Plaza and the Mariott! I priced all 3 and visited each one. The GHL was the least expensive and while the Mariott was newer it would have been a waste of money for me.

Different strokes for different folks. However, if a Hotel has mostly good ratings with the amenities you want you should be ok.

Question? Is there a Hotel in Medellin with:

A safe in the room big enough for a laptop?
A swimming pool?
An exercise room?
Free breakfast?
A safe area where you can walk to the metro? Free wifi
$70 or less?

I cannot find one in Medellin with this criteria so the IBIS seems the best choice for me. The Sheraton might be the closet I seek although the price jumps ! Any suggestions?

well, jeff, it’s too bad gary isn’t managing editor for a blog like this one. then he could write his own list too. but i’m open to suggestions and you might see some revisions in the future. i would, however, refrain from putting poblado so much higher than laureles because that gap has closed…