An Event Planner's Guide to the Best Hotels In Colombia
Treat your clients to the best of the best and bring luxury to the forefront of your next event. From small, boutique hotels to internationally well-known resorts, we take a tour of Colombia’s most luxurious properties to bring you 14 of the most spectacular 5* properties…
Bogotá
Connect, collaborate and celebrate in the centre of Colombia’s financial district with Hilton Bogota Corferias – a sleek, modern hotel just steps away from the Corferias convention centre and conveniently built with business travellers in mind. With 8 meeting rooms, picturesque views of the Monserrate Shrine and a versatile 3,281 sq.ft pre-function area, it’s easy to imagine a first-class event taking place here – whether you’re planning an upscale product launch, conference or hosting an incentive.
Break away from the meetings rooms and your guests will be greeted with an array of gastronomic wonders from the indulgent Colombian fused delicacies of their OKA Grill House to the classic Neapolitan style of their bar and lounge. What better way to celebrate Colombia’s rich heritage?
Burrowed within the style icon of Bogotá’s Zona T neighbourhood and just a stone’s throw away from the city’s best shopping, nightlife and cafés lies Bogotá’s very own Four Seasons. Embodying the energy and creativity of Colombia’s capital, the hotel is well known for its connection with celebrity chef Henry Sasson and boasts some of the best local delicacies and wines in the area.
When it comes to meetings and events, Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá is as functional as it is elegant, with several flexible meeting and event spaces available to hire. The hotel’s pull clearly comes from its incredible location but as with all Four Seasons, its high level of service ensures all needs are met and guests can stay well connected and productive during their stay. Outside the business rooms, restaurants and spacious accommodation, the hotel offers high-end amenities with an impressively large spa that far exceeds its number of rooms, pampering you at a level that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Sofitel Victoria Regia (102 Rooms)
A vision of style and sophistication, Sofitel Victoria Regia offers a slice of France away from home with its contemporary French architecture courtesy of Colombian architect Miguel Soto. Named after the Victoria Regia Amazonian water lily, the hotel imbues an elegant, European touch, showcasing French brands such as Lavin and Hermes as well as local Colombian artwork. Guests can relax and recharge after a busy day in their extensive Gym & Wellness Centre or try out one of the hotel’s exclusive experiences – from a helicopter flight above Bogotá to a Colombian Gastronomy Tour. Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia has three meeting rooms all located on the ground floor and a professional team on hand to help with anything you might need.
When it comes to F&B, the in-house restaurant comes up trumps with its French haute cuisine, extensive wine list and seasonal Colombian products from the hotel’s very own Jardin del chef. A stylish, international and forward-thinking property, the hotel fits in perfectly with the established playing field of Zona T district and is well placed for any incentive group looking for a drop of indulgence.
JW Marriott (264 Rooms)
A five-star luxury hotel nestled in the heart of Bogotá’s financial and entertainment district, JW Marriott Bogota Hotel is ideally placed by the major corporate offices and trendy restaurants and bars of Zona T and 93rd St Park. Offering 264 luxurious guest rooms and 20 suites, the hotel is well equipped to house a moderate to large incentive group and you can be sure of a comfortable stay with their 300-thread count Egyptian cotton linen and down feather mattress toppers. The hotel features a fitness centre, full-service spa and indoor pool for guests to enjoy during the breaks in their itinerary and their 11 distinct event spaces and planning services means you’ll have everything you need to plan a truly exceptional event.
Medellín
Hotel Intercontinental Medellin (294 Rooms)
A global brand with a long history in the hospitality industry and over 150 hotels worldwide, Intercontinental has always been a popular choice among business travellers with their ability to deliver authentic local experiences and great customer service. But what makes their property in Medellín stand out? Intercontinental Medellín have clearly invested a lot of resources into curating a home away from home with authentic traditional touches that really embrace vibrant Latin American culture. Head to their dining venues for example and you’ll feel yourself transported to the quaint beachside front of rural Colombia with a fusion of ancient cooking traditions prepared on hot stones and rustic wooden ovens.
The hotel prides itself on its stylish event spaces with 16 meeting rooms available to hire, catering on hand and a room capacity of up to 1000. Nothing is left to chance, and their team is on hand to help with all events queries to ensure your function runs seamlessly start to finish.
Hotel Patio del Mundo (6 rooms)
A small boutique hotel set within a lush tropical garden of wild orchids, gentle pergola and sheltering fruit trees, Patio del Mundo is the charming work of a local French Family who lovingly restored the property from its original form as two villas. Offering an entirely unique outlook on Colombia’s second largest city, Patio del Mundo exudes serenity and couldn’t be better placed for a small incentive looking to relax and focus on wellbeing. Otherwise, for those looking to hire one of their rooms, the hotel offers an array of options, including a ballroom which can hold up to 100 guests, meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace with picture-perfect view of the city and capacity of up to 200 people.
Step out onto the hotel’s garden and be transported to a vegetal oasis of Mango, avocado, banana and orange trees. Enjoy your breakfast sipping juice over the deck’s Jacuzzi or enjoy a late-night cocktail as you watch the sunset and kick the night off in style. A hotel with more character than words allow, it’s an inviting prospect for event planners and a venue that’s sure to evoke a special sentiment in all its guests.
Cartagena
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara (122 rooms)
A perfect mélange of old and new; Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is an iconic hotel where heritage meets modernity in a twist of new-found technology, colonial balconies and buildings that evoke the splendour of bygone eras. Retreat to their exquisite restaurants and bars and you’ll be filled with the aromatic infusion of Colombian flavours and spices. Turn the pages of their menus and get ready for a gastronomic journey – from their El Jardin botanical restaurant to the candlelit cloisters of their 1621 restaurant. Otherwise opt for a more casual setting with their El Coro Lounge, Pool Bar or Botika Santa Clara rooftop bar.
With 122 rooms to choose from and 6 meeting rooms for up to 300 people, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara caters for a more intimate gathering, perfect for small incentive groups and a great chance to immerse your clients in true Colombian countryside charm.
Charleston Santa Teresa (87 Rooms)
Nestled within Cartagena’s walled city and UNESCO World Heritage site, Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa is a true celebration of the region’s rich Spanish influence with its unparalleled attention to beauty, tradition, luxury and décor. Surrounded by more than 400 years of history and colonial influence, event planners can make use of the 17th century design elements with 3 meeting venues available to hire as well as elegant open-air spaces from the hotel’s La Terraza and Plaza Santa Teresa to the Colonial Patio and Harry’s botanical Bar Restaurant.
Ideally placed just blocks away from the Getsemaní Convention Centre and contemporary city, all the history, flavour and mystique of Cartagena can be found right at your doorstep. Indulge your clients with Cartagena’s vibrant surroundings and set your sights higher this year with an incentive that’s sure to turn heads.
Hilton Cartagena Hotel (341 Rooms)
A tropical oceanfront hotel overlooking El Laguito Peninsula and just 6km from Cartagena’s ancient walled city, Hilton Cartagena Hotel is an elegant choice for event planners looking for picturesque views, a tranquil atmosphere and the space to hold large corporate functions.
With 341 guest rooms, 13 meeting rooms and a total event space of 2,179 sq.m. Hilton Cartagena is well equipped to handle any scale of event and its largest event space can cater up to 1,500 people at a time. Enjoy your very own 24-hour business centre, freight elevator and exhibition hall and team up with the hotel’s catering experts for the added reassurance of a smooth event delivery. In terms of F&B, Hilton Cartagena Hotel offers 3 main dining spots from their Executive Rooftop Lounge serving snacks and soft drinks all day to their beautifully designed Las Chivas terrace restaurant and Caribbean Society Bar.
Turn back the pages and head deep into the heart of Cartagena’s Colonial past with the luxury boutique hotel that’s perfectly reimagined the city’s architectural heritage. With original frescoes and centuries-old wood-beamed ceilings, Casa San Agustín beautifully evokes the city’s rich 17th century history and opens its doors to a truly memorable stay in Cartagena. Let yourself be transported to a bygone era as you stroll through the hotel’s beautiful courtyards, arched walkways and antique furnishings.
Casa San Agustín has several meeting and event spaces which can accommodate groups of all sizes as well as the latest audio-visual equipment, catering services and specialised staff to help out. Head to the hotel’s Aurum Spa and embark on a journey of self-discovery with transformative treatments and revitalising massages that’ll leave you refreshed for the days ahead. Finally, visit their Alma restaurant and surround yourself with the aromatic scents of traditional Colombian cuisine – using time-honoured recipes that have been handed down throughout the years and raw materials from local producers.
Nácar Hotel Cartagena – Curio Collection By Hilton (44 rooms)
Housed within another historic landmark, Nácar Hotel Cartagena boasts just as memorable a stay with its two towers that peak over The Walled City and incredible city views from its terrace bar. Just off Route 90A it’s perfectly placed between Torre del Reloj, Plaza Santo Domingo and Rafael Núñez International Airport and with its close proximity to the best museums, churches and restaurants it’s an ideal location for business travellers wanting to experience the rich culture and history of Cartagena.
Immerse yourself in the hotel’s colonial architecture, beautiful balconies and modern design elements and make sure to try out the hotel’s restaurant scene with Caribbean and Mediterranean dishes that offer a welcome tropical touch to the hotel’s otherwise classical exterior.
Colombia’s Coffee Triangle
Sazagua Hotel Boutique (18 rooms)
A charming boutique hotel located in the midst of the Colombia’s coffee centre, Sazagua, boasts a beautiful and unique stay, surrounded by mountains, tropical gardens and the South American jungle. Enjoy a la carte breakfast to the sounds of wild bird song and dip your toes into the hotel’s jungle-hidden pool as you learn more about the vibrant culture of the old Quimbaya civilizations that once inhabited the region.
Facilities include an outdoor pool, Turkish Spa and wellness retreat, on-site restaurant and the option to take part in a host of regional experiences from coffee-making and Panela workshops to horseback riding through Colombia’s picturesque landscape. Choose from a range of beautifully designed wooden lodges and villas and relax under the Caribbean sun with your very own hammock and handcrafted furniture.
Another welcome face in Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, Sonesta Hotel Pereira is a rural retreat 20 minutes away from the centre of Pereira, offering natural Colombian country landscapes and luxury exclusivity. With 165 spacious rooms, two restaurants featuring fresh, regional cuisine and extensive gardens of Coffee Trees, pineapples, oranges and lemons, it’s an ideal hotel for incentive trips, groups, and conventions.
A hotel featuring 6 meeting rooms, outdoor spaces and an impressive full-service convention centre, it certainly has all the facilities you’d need to celebrate and work in style – not to mention its personalised advice and on-site tech support which always comes in handy. Couple that with its modern facilities, business centre, and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and your guests can be sure of an exceptionally comfortable and relaxing stay.
Plant yourself in the midst of Colombia’s sweeping mountains and find yourself surrounded by vast coffee fields and the region’s most beautiful tropics. A family-owned coffee farm on the rural outskirts of Manizales, Hacienda Venecia is a hidden paradise of native trees and glistening water springs and serves as a beautiful celebration of the 100-year-old tradition of coffee growing. Enjoy your stay in their traditional houses, share their land with over 260 species of birds and fill your lungs with the scents and smells of true Colombian coffee as you enjoy coffee tastings, head on coffee tours and stay in spacious rooms overlooking the surrounding mountains.
Equipped with several meeting and event spaces that can house up to 80 attendees, it’s a truly unique spot to bring an event and a great chance to immerse your guests in the landscapes of Colombia’s untamed surroundings.
This content is sponsored by Pro Colombia. To find out more about exploring this country in all its vast natural beauty, get in touch with the Pro Colombia team or visit https://colombia.travel/en