Thanks to its history and grandeur, Bogota is nicknamed “the Athens of South America.” It’s that antiquity — the colonial buildings, churches, and cobblestoned plazas — that attracts a steady stream of tourists to the Colombian capital. Many of those visitors want to stay in the middle of the historic center, in La Candelaria, the city’s original downtown. There are a few good boutique hotels in the neighborhood, including one that’s located inside a charming old house.
But many travelers gravitate to more modern areas of the city, particularly around Parque de la 93, where there’s a wider range of accommodation options. Some boutique hotels are design-focused, with striking interiors and happening rooftop bars; others feature fireplaces and cozy reading rooms. All make good bases for exploring the city.
Rooms from $140/ night
A stylish boutique hotel on the edge of Parque de la 93 — an leafy park and upscale outdoor shopping promenade that’s filled with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants — the Click Clack is geared towards modern travelers. The decor is sleek and streamlined, with tech-forward amenities like iPads, iPod docks, and smartly stocked minibars that include a few complimentary treats. Highlights include the rooftop Apache bar, ideal for a drink at sunset, and the popular breakfast buffet.
Rooms from $181/ night
It’s all about modern design at the B.O.G. Hotel, located in Zona T. It’s hard to say what’s more striking: the soaring interiors, imagined by Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva and filled with minimalist decor and sculptural chandeliers, or the views of the city and mountains through the wide windows. Guest rooms are brighter and larger than the usual, with separate seating areas, LCD TVs, coffee machines, and iPod docks. There’s a spa and fitness center, a great breakfast buffet, and a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and bar.
Rooms from $68/ night
The brick exterior of Hotel B3 Virrey, bedecked with lush greenery, is your first hint that you’re in for something a little different at this popular boutique hotel. Hotel B3 Virrey, located in the upscale Chico neighborhood, is hip but practical, featuring stylish guest rooms with workspaces and flat-screen TVs, a 24-hour gym, and a charming terrace bar. Guests rave about the breakfast, the prime location, and the fact that Hotel B3 Virrey has already incorporated many sustainable practices into their daily operations.
Rooms from $97/ night
There’s plenty to like about this fashionable boutique hotel: first-rate service, a cool rooftop bar, guest rooms lined with dark wood and outfitted with white leather chairs and iPod docks. Everywhere you look, especially in the public spaces, it’s refinement and taste, glass and marble — don’t miss the eye-catching cocktail bar, which looks like an elegant, larger-than-life birdcage. Like many of the other modern boutique hotels in town, it’s located near the busy Parque de la 93.
Rooms from $55/ night
In terms of charm and character, it’s tough to beat Hotel Muisca, a cozy boutique hotel located inside an antique house with gabled roofs, hardwood floors, and exposed brick walls. Guest rooms feature quaint details, like wooden writing desks, as well as contemporary amenities like flat-screen TVs and fast wi-fi. There’s a rooftop terrace and indoor lounge space where guests can order drinks or linger over breakfast. The location in La Candelaria, in the heart of Bogota’s historic center, is the icing on the cake.
