Mention Latin America and Colombia, and your first images might be dazzling mountain peaks, coffee farms, salsa music, a cathedral made of salt, sunshine and most likely, a history of crime. Colombia has all of these. Its people are stylish and sophisticated, few countries have managed the turnaround rebranding achieved by Colombia achieved in the last 15 years.
A welcome arrival at the Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina which is nestled in Zona G (Gourmet area), and is recognized as one of the finest luxury Hotels in Bogota, truly a monument of cultural interest.
The Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina entwines its 1940s colonial history with a splash of contemporary Colombia. A leafy suburban mansion set in the heart of the capital is an ideal retreat for those escaping the hustle and bustle of the city – settle down beside cozy fireplaces indoor and in the beautiful gardens. Designed by Colombian architect Santiago Medina Mejia, in the 1980’s the original hotel was doubled with the addition of a separate wing. Twin towers separate the hotel into two parts: the original 1940s house of the Medina family and an extension, built in the 1980s. At first glance both sections blend into one, but the 1940s area boasts original wood-paneling and unique handcrafted cedar wood doors. The room with the best original features is the one-bedroom suite 303, which has an entire wall of 1940s handcrafted panels.
Small details across the hotel pay homage to its founding architect, Santiago Medina, with stained-glass windows depicting a picture of birds and flowers – Medina’s passions. There are fireplaces in 16 of the 62 rooms, so be sure to request one, unless it’s summer!
Casa Medina is situated in the heart of Zona G, also known as the ‘gourmet zone’ of Bogotá. Within a one-mile radius there are more than a dozen restaurants and bars of a medium – to high-quality, situated in a safe area which is easy to explore on foot.
Bogota, the capital city of Colombia is known to be very cool, which is why the Four Seasons has built two hotels here. Half of the rooms are suites, which offer refined spacious living, huge bathrooms and walls of windows bring towering trees inside.
Castanyoles restaurant sits in a colonial courtyard with a glass roof, which gives an al fresco dining effect. The Mediterranean menu offers Spanish tapas alongside light Greek dishes and homemade pastas, cooked by the Italian chef. Starting with small bites of empanadas and my first cup of local Colombian coffee and of course, I tried the more traditional Cacao tea – which rendered me jittery. Sunday brunch is buzzy with locals and live music – a fun place to sit and people watch.
Sitting in the ‘gourmet zone’ of Bogotá, the Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina is the perfect base from which to explore the sprawling capital of Colombia. The hotel is surrounded by dozen restaurants and bars, but the dining options at hotel are delightful!
This central location allows easy access to the amazing art community in Bogota, there are more than 100 art galleries in the city, many museums include the Botero Museum and the fascinating Gold Museum, definitely worth a visit. In 2000, Colombian artist Fernando Botero, made a significant contribution to the Botero museum. Donating 208 art pieces, 123 of which were his own work and 85 were from other international artists. This generous donation forms the core of the museum’s collection and is a testament to Botero’s personal commitment to promoting art and culture. The permanent collection features notable works by artists such as Balthus, Georges Braque, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Sonia Delaunay, Claude Monet, and Henri Matisse.
One of the most striking art districts, primarily for its colorful and technical depictions is the Graffiti District, located in the industrial district of Puente Aranda, in the western part of the city. I enjoyed a guided tour of this now gentrified area, which was once the most dangerous neighborhood in the city. Graffiti in Bogota is so much more than just a pretty picture, it actually tells unique stories of the history, politics, and addresses current issues facing the city today. It’s more than just a painting and is something that many people in Bogota are proud to show off to tourists. It’s not actually “graffiti” but rather “street art.” The artists who paint these massive murals on the walls around Bogota are professionals and most are paid for their services. Art is a means to express feelings and spread a message to others without censorship from the government. This open-air gallery, one of the most important of its kind in South America, offers a large number of colorful murals created by more than 20 national and international artists.
Gracias Four Seasons for my lovely authentic visit! Highly Recommend!
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