Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia — Hotel in Bogota, Capital District

Very Disappointing Experience at Sofitel Bogotá

Ambience Bogotá is the world’s second-largest flower exporter, yet the hotel showcased almost no floral arrangements—not even in the rooms. This was a major letdown. The corridors were bare, devoid of any decoration, giving the feel of a budget motel. The only atmosphere came from an odd selection of dated, slightly eerie background music.

Amenities Facilities are extremely limited: a gym, a massage room, and a single restaurant. There is no pool, sauna, hammam, or inviting common areas to relax in. The restaurant itself serves mediocre food in a cramped space with outdated décor—think “tropical trend from 2015” that hasn’t been refreshed since.

Overall, it feels more like a small boutique hotel than a five-star property—at best, a solid four-star.

Room Service On our second evening, after a long day, we reluctantly tried room service despite our reservations about the menu. The result: a disaster. Pasta was overcooked and smothered in raw tomato chunks. The wrong pasta type was delivered due to confusing translations on the menu. The burrata tasted like gorgonzola, the hummus was inexplicably sweet and served with plantain, and every pasta dish—including the bolognese—was paired with odd vegetables like asparagus. Bread was sweet and soft, more akin to a breakfast roll. They gave us two salt shakers. It was one of the worst hotel dining experiences we’ve had—fast service clearly came at the expense of quality. They have no mocktails option on their menu.

Room We received a luxury room upgrade for Gold status. While spacious, it suffered from multiple design flaws: • Bed frame off-center and mismatched bedside tables. • Cheap curtains and blackout. • Poor window insulation—outside noise was loud especially Saturday night. Poor light fixtures with incoherent lightnings. • Tiny closet crammed with the minibar and coffee station. • Awkward triangular dining table resembling Airbnb furniture. • Cramped bathroom layout with small bathtub and combined toilet. • Large counter but only one small sink. • Connecting door to another room. • Sparse décor and lack of Sofitel’s usual luxury feel. • Mattress was subpar for a brand of this level. • Only one bathrobe provided for two guests. • Minimal toiletries—just the basics. Last detail: very cheap looking and ugly trash bins.

Service We emailed ahead to note a special occasion and request a bathtub. The tub was there, but no acknowledgment or effort was made for the occasion. As a Heartist member (Accor employee network), I received the same chocolate-covered strawberries given to all guests—nothing more.

At check-in, Sebastian offered concierge help with dinner reservations. I requested a table at nearby Osaka for the same evening. We never heard back—no confirmation, alternatives, or follow-up, and that for the entire stay.

We also discovered the “salt/oil bath” service listed on the menu only applies to junior suites—something not disclosed beforehand. A requested sleep mask turned out to be paper-thin and useless.

We followed their website recommandations to visit La Candelaria. Sadly the area was super sketchy after walking for a few minutes and we got harassed then attacked by a drugged homeless with a fork, had to flee with an uber. Can’t approve of their recommendations.

On top of everything, at check-in—despite the Accor website clearly stating we are exempt from the 19% VAT—the clerk told us we had to either add breakfast for the entire stay or pay USD 4 per night for a “museum pass” to avoid the tax. We agreed, but never received the passes we were charged for.

The Pros The room was still comfortable overall. Staff arranged flowers once we provided them. The TV was large with easy screen-mirroring, there was a quality Bose speaker, and the L’OCCITANE toiletries were a nice touch. Unfortunately, these positives were overshadowed by the lack of amenities, poor service, and the overall absence of the refinement expected from Sofitel. Outside of the bedroom, there is simply nothing compelling about...

Beware the IVA/VAT 19% Tax Scam!

We just spent two nights at the Sofitel Bogota, in general the hotel is fine, rooms are clean. Not luxury but good enough. The real problem is they will try to extort you upon check-in to pay for their vastly overpriced ($50 USD per day) breakfast and threaten you with a 19% IVA/VAT tax per night if you refuse.

This is lie, foreign tourists/non-Colombians are exempt from the 19% VAT tax for hotel stays in Colombia. This exemption was put in place by the Colombian government to encourage tourism.

At check-in, the receptionists will claim it’s Sofitel’s “policy” and there is nothing they can do, and only “package” rates which include their breakfast are exempt from this tax. Again, this is total BS. They are relying on travelers being too tired after long travel days to just accept it without complaint since trying to find new lodging when you are trying check-in to your hotel isn’t realistic. We stayed at the Sofitel Santa Clara in Cartegena prior to Bogota, where they tried to pull this as well. We complained and finally they agreed to not charge the tax or add the breakfast. Upon check-out, with a different receptionist, when we double checked the bill, he confirmed with a laugh, “foreign tourists never have to pay that tax”.

We complained as well at the Sofitel Bogota but didn’t have the time or energy to argue with the front desk receptionists, so we ended up paying for the breakfast for one of the nights. They tried to charge us for the second night but we were adamant we would not, since we had to head to the airport at 4am.

To put this in perspective, they force guests to pay nearly $50 USD per day for breakfast, when you can get great breakfasts at tons of cafes/restaurants nearby, for $10 USD. If you reject the breakfast, they will then add 19% tax, per night, to your bill, which they will just pocket since foreigners do not pay that tax.

As for the breakfast itself? It was just a standard hotel buffet breakfast, definitely not worth what they are charging. I ordered an omelette and it was undercooked and tasteless, couldn’t finish it.

This “policy” of paying 19% tax per night or getting the breakfast “package” isn’t called out anywhere when booking a room. We have stayed at Sofitel’s all over the world, and usually they are usually great, so this was surprising and seems like a terrible business decision to spring very large added charges for guests upon check-in. If they want to force guests to buy rooms with breakfast included, they shouldn’t be offering rooms without breakfast in the first place.

My suggestion would be stay elsewhere and if you need to stay at the Sofitel Bogota, try calling ahead before booking to get them confirm they won’t add these ridiculous charges to your bill, so you have something to reference when they try to...

From the very first moment I stepped into Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia, I was embraced not only by elegance and comfort but by something far more powerful: genuine human warmth. I have travelled extensively and stayed in countless hotels worldwide, but never have I experienced the care, attention, and heartfelt hospitality I received here.

Let me be clear: I am not referring to one or two outstanding individuals. I am speaking about every single staff member at Sofitel Victoria Regia. Every person, from the front desk to the concierge, from housekeeping to room service, from the restaurant and bar team to the bell staff, security, and management, is nothing short of extraordinary.

They make me feel at home. Always.

The level of detail with which they attend to every guest is exceptional. Not only do they remember your name, but they also remember your preferences, routines, favourite coffee, and smile. Their service's rare authenticity goes far beyond luxury or protocol: they genuinely care.

At the front desk, I am always welcomed with kindness and efficiency. The concierge team is not only helpful but truly thoughtful in every recommendation. The restaurant and bar staff bring so much joy to every meal with warmth and charm. Housekeeping deserves the highest praise—not only for the pristine condition of the rooms, but for the soul they put into everything they do. Even the smallest moments—a cheerful greeting in the hallway, a question asked with sincere interest—make a world of difference.

This hotel's unique culture—a shared spirit among the entire staff—turns a stay into something deeply personal. It feels less like being in a hotel and more like being welcomed home by family.

To everyone at Sofitel Victoria Regia: thank you.

Your kindness, professionalism, and grace do not go unnoticed. You create magic, and you do it together. I leave with a whole heart, and I look forward to the next time I can return—not just to the comfort of your beautiful hotel, but to the warmth of the people who make it so special.

You are, quite simply, the best team I have ever encountered in any hotel, anywhere in the world.

With admiration and sincere gratitude, A...