The 5 Greatest Lodges in Medellín

Medellín is the second-largest city in Colombia and a favorite among the digital nomad crowd. Nestled in the Aburrá Valley, the city has great weather year-round, earning it the nickname: “the City of Eternal Spring.”

I spent close to a total of three weeks in Medellín and loved my time there. While the city has a troubled past, today, it’s a vibrant and innovative metropolis. I’d go back in a heartbeat. (Make sure to take a salsa class at least once while you’re here!)

That said, there are still some safety issues here, so picking the right place to stay is important. To ensure you have a safe and comfortable visit, here’s my list of the best hotels in Medellin:

1. Nomada Hotel Origen

This four-star hotel is located in El Poblado, a centrally located neighborhood packed with restaurants, bars, clubs, cafés, and shops. Though there’s a lot to do in the area, leave some time to spend lounging in the hot tub on the leafy hotel rooftop, enjoying the epic views over the city with a cocktail in hand (it’s a great way to end a busy day of exploring). You can also start your day here too as the complimentary breakfast is served on the rooftop as well.

The rooms are comfortable and spacious, with a cool design featuring exposed brick walls and beams, hardwood floors, and soft lighting. All rooms have a desk, flatscreen TV, and a minibar. Deluxe rooms have kitchenettes with a fridge, microwave, cooktop, and coffee maker. The bathrooms feature tiled walls and floors, showers with great water pressure (something I always appreciate), and complimentary toiletries. This is my top recommended hotel in the city as it really does give the best value for your money. It’s in an excellent location too.

2. The Click Clack

This five-star design hotel is one of the cooler places to stay in El Poblado. It’s got a chic industrial-meets-nature vibe going on, with sleek architecture and plants everywhere. I love that the included breakfast is served in the huge atrium with lots of light and greenery. There’s also a rooftop pool with its own bar that serves great cocktails, and spa/massage services available. For anything you need, you can just WhatsApp the front desk, which I find really convenient (especially if you’re jet lagged or tired from sightseeing).

All rooms include a desk, flatscreen TV, and safe, but I especially like that the complimentary minibar is stocked with healthy snacks from local Colombian producers. The stylish bathrooms have a dark and moody feel (maybe a bit too dark in my opinion), though the walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads are great. If you’re looking for the hippest hotel in one of Medellin’s best neighborhoods, this is it!

3. Ibis Medellín

This three-star hotel in the artsy Ciudad del Rio neighborhood is just around the corner from the Medellín Modern Art Museum. It’s also less than a block from Mercado del Río, the biggest food market in town. The hotel is bright and airy, offering a breakfast buffet that features a ton of fresh local fruit and baked goods. I like that the standard check-out isn’t until 12pm so you don’t have to worry about rushing out in the morning (perfect if you’ve been out enjoying the city’s wild nightlife).

I will say that I find the rooms a bit too sparse, but they do include the usual mid-level perks, such as a desk, flatscreen TV, and a wardrobe with a safe. The bathrooms are decently sized though, with a large sink counter (convenient for spreading out your stuff), and complimentary toiletries. This is a good choice for anyone looking for a pleasant (but no-frills) stay in an interesting area of the city.

4. Sites Hotel

This hotel is located in laid-back Patio Bonito, an area filled with hip restaurants and bars that’s popular with Medellín’s expat and digital-nomad communities. The hotel boasts a rooftop pool and jacuzzi, a reading room in the lobby, a small fitness center, and laundry facilities. The buffet breakfast is tasty, with a variety of sweet breads and pastries, fresh juices, yogurt, and made-to-order eggs.

The rooms consist of spacious deluxe rooms and apartments that all have kitchens with a stovetop, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, and minibar. All rooms have a simple yet cozy feel, with nice wood floors, artwork from local Colombian artists on the walls, a desk, and a flatscreen TV. Apartments also have their own terraces. The bathrooms are decently sized and feature complimentary toiletries as well as rainfall showerheads with great water pressure. Given its location and kitchen facilities in every room, Sites is perfect for mid-range travelers staying longer in Medellin.

5. Patio del Mundo

If you’re looking for something a smaller than one of the many high-rise hotels, Patio del Mundo is a boutique hotel with just 13 rooms. There’s always complimentary coffee and fresh juice in the lobby, and the owners and staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. I love their tropical garden and patio filled with hammocks, loungers, and a hot tub set right into the deck. I also like that you can start your day here with a complimentary breakfast buffet of fresh fruit, juices, croissants, pancakes, and freshly made eggs. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds buzzing around as you eat!

Each room is inspired by a different region of the world (which is a really neat concept). Brazil, Provence, India, and Cuba are just a few examples of the different rooms. Each has its own unique features; some have private terraces, while others have deep soaking bathtubs. All rooms have flatscreen TVs and a minibar, and most rooms have a desk too. The bathrooms feature complimentary toiletries and huge tiled walk-in showers. The hotel has a focus on health and wellness, so you can also get massages or reiki sessions too. Overall, this hotel feels like a little green oasis in the heart of the city.

Medellín has it all: great weather, plentiful museums, cool walking tours, lush parks, colorful street art, mouthwatering food tours and markets, and incredible nightlife. I loved my time here and would easily return for a few more weeks. I’m confident you’ll love it too. Just make sure to choose your accommodation from the list above. Do that, and you’ll be all set to have a safe, comfortable stay!