Hotel Sauces del Estadio — Hotel in Medellín

I was visiting Medellin for the World Urban Forum in April 2014, and consider myself very lucky to have found this hotel. I would heartily recommend it for couples, friends and solo travellers. Most business travellers may be put off by the lack of desk. ||||Location: In Medellin, most accommodation geared towards the international crowd is located in Poblado - which although safe, skews towards that generic "nice district" found in umpteen other cities around the world. In contrast, Hotel del Sauces is in a neighbourhood called Estadio, on Calle 49, which bisected by the lively Carrera 66 (about 4 blocks away from the hotel). This neighbourhood is a mixture of middle class houses, local businesses cafes restaurants, and anchored by Exito (an urban Colombian version of Walmart - let's call the design anti-suburban). I would ride the subway to SurAmericana in the evening, then amble up Carrera 66, stopping for a light snack, and then walk along Calle 49. Translation: it is a genuine Colombian neighbourhood, and a safe and interesting one.||||Room: I took my 71 year-old friend with me (long story), and we shared a room with 2 double beds on the 4th floor. The room was small, but it was modern, clean and well appointed with TV, remote-control AC, stereo system, bar fridge, and a nice window looking out to the street. The beds were firm (common in Colombia), and the bedding was deliciously crisp. The only thing we couldn't figure out was the clock radio, and the BIG missing item was the ability to phone internationally from the room and a desk. The bathroom was also small and had only a shower, but again it was modern and clean. I know that some rooms do not have windows to the street, and I would recommend against those. I don't know about noise - I travel with earplugs.||||Food: Breakfast was Colombian: scrambled eggs, sometimes with sausage bits, a rice and bean mix, a scone, an arepa, soft cheese, watery mandarin juice, and a bright small "tinto" (coffee).. I think some people would have preferred more choice, but I found it adequate. ||||Service: There were 22,000 attendees at WUF7, and considering that the hotel was fully booked with many people who did not speak Spanish, and perhaps a little understaffed, I thought the staff did reasonably well. Internet was terrible, but I noticed that some guests were using the public terminals where the modems were located, and plugging the internet cable straight into...

My first visit to the geographically fascinating and innovative makeover of the city of Medellin. At a time when a large global conference was taking place, the HSDE was one of the few hotels with remaining available rooms. I had a single room which whilst small, suited purpose once the concept of not having a wardrobe or electric kettle or coffee making facilities was accepted. Finding an iron was also a challenge but largely due to my abject lack of Spanish rather than the staff's willingness to assist. The mini-bar is well stocked and there is a hamper of consumables that range from chips to conditioners to condoms. The bathroom was very clean and soap was provided.||Nice touches included free WiFi which worked 80% of the time and the free coffee in the lobby area.||The restaurant is very basic but if you want to eat near the hotel there are a number of local cages and restaurants within easy strolling distance - and beauty salons of which there are many in Medellin! A local department store Exito is a 10 minute walk away and you can buy anything from yoghurt to a plasma TV.||Taxis are a plentiful and the front desk is happy to call one for you. I never waited more than 5 minutes for one. It is a noisy neighbourhood and you can either view it as 'authentic' Medellin or ask for a room on the 6th floor which seems to be more noise proof. All in all, a reasonable place to stay but brush up on your...

As bad experiences go in my many years of traveling, this is probably one of the top 3. |It started at check in, around 10 om when a lonely worker had to deal with people coming in, buying stuff from the pantry, answering the phone, etc. Probably 15 minutes. |We were taking to our room. A few details included: inoperative fridge, missing light fixtures, broken bathroom fixtures, no soap, shampoo or towels in the bathroom, and a couple of others. |The next morning we started hearing water dripping from the bathroom ceiling. |We went out during the day and upon returning, we found the ceiling had actually collapsed!!! When we called reception to ask what they were going to do, they told us they had us for a room change (obviously). |We had to rush and repack all our stuff and, surprise!, we were moved to a smaller room with broken light fixtures, missing bathroom amenities, etc. |When we called to complain, they told us they couldn’t do anything better and we should be grateful they “fixed” the issue (????)|To finish things up, I had prepaid my room and upon checkout I was charged a local tax. |Any positives? The breakfast wasn’t brilliant but enough and the restaurant had interesting lunch menus. Also, some of the employees (not all) looked genuinely willing to serve. |Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the place and needless to say, I won’t...