Hotel Cabo de la Vela — Hotel in Medellín

First, I must preface this review with this was a last minute booking for me as some plans changed and I needed to book something before I boarded an airplane for a night in Medellín. This place was very affordable and in a area I normally stay so I booked it.||First, the good stuff: location is great, the included breakfast was really awesome, the staff was super friendly, and the hotel has a nice curb appeal. The Wi-Fi works great there and the water for showers is super hot, two things I totally appreciate and look for in a stay.||The things I did not like: seemed to be an issue with this hotel receiving my payment, I showed them numerous times that I had paid yet was still questioned. I don’t know whose fault or issue it was but it was a bit annoying. The staff to their credit was very nice about it but there definitely was a disconnect.||Secondly, here my American biases may come out a bit, the room was definitely sufficient but bare bones. If you prefer a super super firm mattress this is a great place for you, I unfortunately do not. There is a single sheet on the bed and no other blankets in the room, The weather was perfect so if you are just a sheet sleeper you would have been fine but I prefer a blanket to at least be available in the room.||After check in when I went to the room my door was open already to welcome me in. This detail to me means that the hotel opened the door to make sure the room was properly prepare for my night’s stay- unfortunately it was not, no towels in the room which was quickly corrected in a reply to a text I received asking if I still planned on staying there that night🤔. Once in there a few details that could easily be attended to make a stay more enjoyable like:||Directions on how to use the safe - I stay in 100 rooms a year and I wasn’t bright enough to figure this one out.||Check batteries for television- mine were dead apparently or again if not, the tv was not turning on like the 100’s of tv’s I use in hotel rooms.||No chair to sit in - again this May not be an issue for others but for me I work when I travel.||Bathroom soap dispensers in shower and toilet we empty. Other soap and shampoo was provided but when I see a dispenser in the shower I appreciate the simplicity and the environmental plus of a dispenser. If the hotel has abandoned the dispensers probably should remove them from the room.||The lock to the balcony door did not work properly or certainly not easily, again many may not care about that.||Cleanliness- I would have to give a 3/5 for cleanliness as there was women’s hair in the bathroom and on my bed, again not a lot and others may not have and issue with that but a housekeeper with a watchful eye would have noticed the hair on the bathroom floor that I saw.||So to summarize, I would recommend this to my friends who like a no frills place with a great breakfast to start your day and need a reliable WiFi , and like a hot shower after a long day in a safe and great location.||I would describe this place as a upgraded hostel experience, and for many that is just what they are looking for, but for me this would not be a place I would feel comfortable for a long stay. It did the trick for this one night. ||A tip for those who know the area and know how noise it can be, I found with the balcony door shut and the thick blind dropped made the the street noise near by almost disappear....

I had requested a room with balcony - since I smoke but this wasn't available when I checked in. I dropped off my laundry and had dinner nearby and when I got back they had a more spacious room with a tiny balcony - awesome! Considering the price it was a lovely room (no glasses mind you) and I checked out the breakfast one morning and they had made to order eggs with a few mouthfuls of fruit and watered down oj. Understandable considering they room price. BTW rather anything that they had no signs to put on the door to not make up my room.

My biggest annoyance was when I was to take off for the airport - I asked the front desk to request a White-Taxi (Taxi Blanco (airport taxi)) to get to the airport. The desk clerk ordered 'someone' I.e. a friend to pick me up from the hotel and charge me COP$80k (usually the higher rate from airport to a hotel). Aside from his 1st gear that didn't work and having to sit in the front seat and pay before we got to the airport - to avoid police, we actually managed to get to the airport.

Overall - nice enough Hotel for the price but order a taxi dinner other way. A bit on...

This was a very hard property to review. It's in an excellent if highly noisy location near everything. Staff speaks little English but is generally friendly. I paid for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment, that was sparely furnished but very clean. No refrigerator in kitchen, no kitchen utensils of any kind, plus no hot water in bedroom. Beds are hard, floors are all stone, it's large and bright and spacious but could use updating and maintenance. The staff failed to fix the hot water despite promises to do so , finally I was able to speak to the manager, John Saavendra, who was immediately apologetic, took full ownership of the issues, and agreed to my request for a refund of unused days (even though I had booked a week paid in advance). I left feeling while I had not had the best experience, I was well treated and my situation was handled exceptionally well. Perhaps I just got a room that was less well maintained. Really with the size of the rooms and price and location and the excellent management, there's plenty...