Hotel de la Opera

Spread throughout several historic buildings, this hotel is full of character, though its classic interiors will likely seem dated to some guests. Setting the tone for the rest of the hotel, the lobby is bright and sunny, with yellow walls and a checkerboard floor. A period sofa and a couple of chairs provide places for guests to perch, but there's not much space for hanging out here. Even so, there are a number of spots in the hotel to unwind after a day of touring or business. An interior courtyard is a lovely place to sit and get fresh air, and there are two restaurants as well as a bar. This hotel draws all sorts of travelers, including business guests attending events at the hotel, as well as couples, families, and groups on vacation. 

This hotel is situated in the historic La Candelaria neighborhood next to the Cristobal Colon Theater and in front of Palacio San Carlos, headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Several attractions and restaurants are within walking distance, including Bolivar Plaza and the Botero Museum, which are both just three minutes away on foot. The Gold Museum is around a 10-minute walk from the property. Mount Monserrate can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, or guests can take the funicular, which is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Plan on about 40 minutes to reach El Dorado Airport by car.

This historic hotel offers colonial- and Art Deco-style rooms, though the look isn't exactly the freshest or most elegant, and can appear dated. The buildings in front of the San Carlos Palace hold 27 colonial-style rooms, with yellow walls, wood floors, wooden armoires, and traditional artwork and light fixtures. The Art Deco-style rooms are located on the top floor of the adjacent building, which dates to the late 1940s. These units are arguably more pleasant than the colonial-style rooms. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, there's no air-conditioning, and extras like the MP3 clock radios are outmoded. Bathrooms have marble countertops, tiled floors and showers, toiletries, hairdryers, and robes and slippers. Some have just showers, and others feature shower/tub combos. Certain rooms also add balconies or terraces, and Art Deco rooms offer views of the Plaza de Bolivar, the domes of the cathedral, and Monserrate. Note that the elevator doesn't reach top-floor rooms.

This little hotel offers a surprising number of features, particularly for its central location. La Scala restaurant serves Mediterranean, Colombian, and vegetarian dishes in a lovely setting that includes a charming courtyard terrace where guests can dine alfresco. A free breakfast buffet with cold selections and cooked-to-order eggs is served there daily. A second restaurant, El Mirador, is located on the top floor and offers views over La Candelaria. The menu features pizzas, burgers, meat, and fish. Room service is available around the clock. There's also a cozy bar called El Automatico, named after a famous Bogota coffee shop, that serves drinks and light fare. Unfortunately, food only gets mixed reviews from previous guests.The indoor pool isn't particularly large, but it's a bright, sunny space. Cushioned lounge chairs are available for relaxing poolside. Thermae Spa offers a full menu of services, including body, facial, and massage treatments, plus a sauna. There's also a tiny fitness center with a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine, and free weights. A business center holds two computers and a printer for guests to use. Several events spaces are equipped to handle business and leisure gatherings with catering provided. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.