Travel Review: Bogotá, Colombia – A City of Culture, History, and Stunning Views||Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a vibrant city that blends colonial history, modern innovation, and breathtaking landscapes. Sitting at an altitude of 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) in the Andes Mountains, it offers cool weather year-round, making it a refreshing destination for travelers.||Historic Charm & Culture||The city’s heart is La Candelaria, a historic district filled with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and some of the country’s most important landmarks. Plaza Bolívar is the central square, surrounded by the grand Catedral Primada and government buildings. The Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) is a must-visit, showcasing an extensive collection of pre-Hispanic gold artifacts that tell the story of Colombia’s indigenous cultures.||For contemporary art lovers, the Botero Museum features works by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous artist, as well as pieces by Picasso, Dalí, and Monet. Bogotá is also known for its thriving street art scene, especially in La Candelaria, where massive murals tell political and cultural stories.||Breathtaking Views & Outdoor Adventures||No trip to Bogotá is complete without a visit to Monserrate, a mountain that towers over the city. A cable car, funicular, or a steep hike will take you to the top, where you’ll find a historic church and panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis below. The sight at sunset is unforgettable.||For those who love nature, a short trip outside the city leads to Chingaza National Park or La Chorrera Waterfall, the tallest in Colombia. The lush landscapes offer hiking, wildlife spotting, and a break from the urban energy.||Gastronomy & Nightlife||Bogotá’s food scene is a mix of traditional flavors and modern gastronomy. Ajiaco, a hearty chicken and potato soup, is a local favorite, best enjoyed at La Puerta Falsa, one of the city’s oldest restaurants. If you want a taste of Colombian coffee culture, Bogotá’s cafés serve some of the world’s finest brews, with the Zona G district being the hotspot for specialty coffee shops.||At night, the Zona T and Usaquén neighborhoods come alive with bars, clubs, and live music venues. Andrés Carne de Res, located just outside the city in Chía, is a legendary spot combining great food, music, and an energetic party atmosphere.||Final Thoughts||Bogotá may not always be at the top of travelers’ lists compared to Medellín or Cartagena, but its rich culture, stunning scenery, and welcoming locals make it a must-visit. Whether you’re exploring historical sites, hiking in the Andes, or diving into the city’s nightlife, Bogotá offers something for every kind of traveler.||Would I return? Absolutely. There’s always something new to discover in this dynamic...
Read moreThe rooms are nice, comfortable, quiet and clean. The surrounding zone (Park 93) with its nightlife is fantastic so I could have taken this hotel forever...
...but...
there is ALWAYS trouble during checkout:
first, bring some time with you for checkout, especially if you have an important meeting afterwards, or a flight. Calculate 30 min to be safe.
although two or three guys on duty, only one guy will serve you, usually it is the guy without name, just the word "training" on his tag (every time a different guy) - and he usually is over-strained
if you have another guest in front of you, you can see that you are not the only one who will have trouble. He is going through the same nightmare you are about to receive, which adds the waiting time in this case
If you do the "payment in advance" deal, it will NEVER stay with that amount. Last deal I had was about 20 USD additional charge per night afterwards - no, NOT charge for the mini-bar, ADDITIONAL charge. I asked why, no answer. Feeling cheated
Especially since last reservation, where I was really sure not to have taken the payment in advance deal (because of bad experience). But my Credit card was charged for the expected amount to pay (not a security deposit) a few days before the trip. I was totally confused
this is not a one-time bad experience. I remember five stays at this hotel this year and some in 2014 and it was always that way: The people I was traveling with afterwards mentioned to me, too that they got charged extra, paying for more than they expected. This was the time, where I started researching
and the waiting time at checkout was always high
sometimes the points are transferred automatically, but most of the time, not. Be prepared to fill out the form on this webpage. And yes, I presented the card with my number (every time)
and don't forget to ask to receive the security deposit copy. Without asking, they will not handle it to you (and in theory, can do whatever they want to do....)
I am usually pretty loyal when it comes to hotels that I know because I am traveling to so many different cities that I like to return to a convenient place for me and I am also willing to accept minor disadvantages for this, but now I am done.
For my next travel, I will try another hotel because I am sick and tired of...
Read moreThe Holiday Inn Express at Bogota is a very modern hotel with all the amenities a guest may need. Comfortable spacious rooms a well equipped minibar. A clean and well equipped bathroom. The public spaces were clean and spacious with quality furniture which was in excellent condition. Not one bad comment too be made about the hotel rooms and facilities. Also the service from the staff was excellent. They were friendly and responded quickly to our needs. The free breakfast was tasty with a wide range of food to choose from. Also the breakfast room staff was very friendly and capable.
The only negative aspect about the stay is that the hotel (management) did not award our stay with priority club points which we should have had according to one of the webpages I saw when making the reservations. It highlighted that the stay would qualify for 2200 Priority Club Points. Moreover also the two nights are not being added as elite qualifying nights. For me as a priority club gold member (and well on my way to become platinum this year) the two nights and the points are also one of the reasons to book IHG hotels. Until now I have always received full credits for even prepaid rates and I therefore do not see any reason why I should not have received this credit for this stay which was even a flexible rate (and contrary to their promise on the website). This also brings me to another negative point. On the website and when making the reservation the hotel offered a free shuttle service to and from the hotel. When informing the hotel about the flight and eta time they mentioned that this would be charged. Only after a lengthy telephone conversation during which also the written confirmation was used they agreed to honor their commitment.
In short a great hotel where we enjoyed staying it was only too bad that some commitments made during the reservation process were not honored in a professional way. The fault of this may be more with the management of the hotel (group) than the individual staff members who in my opinion did a...
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