There are very few cities in the world that have two Four Seasons hotels and they are mostly cities with a flood of BP and C-level business travelers, such as Boston, New York, and London. You can add a city from Latin America to that list though: Bogota, Colombia.
The Four Seasons Bogota is one hotel, but tack Casa Medina on there and you’ve got another.
Four Seasons Casa Medina
A while back we had a correspondent write a whole new review of Casa Medina in Colombia, which we’ve had in our listings from the start. We needed to start over to reflect all the changes that have come through since the Four Seasons takeover.
Of the total 62 rooms, 32 are in the original building, a unique landmark from last century.
Built in 1946 by Colombian artist-architect Santiago Medina Mejia, the structure combines French and Spanish styles. Inside it features beamed ceilings and multiple fireplaces. Artist Moises Garcia provided elaborate wood carving and the iron work and stones salvaged from the Convent Santo Domingo were used to create columns.
The property has its own highly regarded restaurant, but it’s also in the city’s Zona G, the top neighborhood for foodies who eat out a lot.
This is the one to go for if you like a hotel with personality and a dose of whimsy. Decorations include bird cages and antique furniture, while some suites on the top floor of the original building have beamed ceilings in a variety of roof angles. Some have working fireplaces and a terrace or patio. Of course you still get the amenities you would expect: plush robes and slippers, tea service, Nespresso machine, minibar, quality bath amenities, and evening turndown.
See our full review of Four Seasons Casa Medina Bogota.
Four Seasons Hotel Bogota
While the Four Seasons Hotel Bogota won’t win any awards for innovative design, the high-end business travelers it mostly serves are there to stay in style while avoiding surprises. They check in knowing their needs will be met, if not anticipated, and they can expect the high level of service they would get in those other cities with two Four Seasons properties. Expect lots of creams and neutral tones in the rooms, with the kind of neo-traditional ambiguous hotel style that’s sure not to offend anyone.
The differentiating bonus here is the property’s connection with Colombia’s original celebrity chef Henry Sasson. He opened Nemo next door and is also integrated into the property’s food and beverage service.
Nemo also offers the best wine selection in Bogota with dozens of bottles offered by the 1/4, 1/2, or full bottle at excellent prices. With the opening of Nemo, Sasson also took over the hotel’s food and beverage program and anything from the Nemo menu is available as room service 24 hours a day. Nemo also serves as the venue for the hotel’s sumptuous breakfast spread.
This hotel is also in the Zona T, which is filled with many other restaurants and bars in close proximity.
The other highlight at this one is a surprisingly large spa for a 64-room hotel. It’s the best in the city by most measures, fully pampering you at a level hard to find elsewhere. It also looks gorgeous and expensive: “Inspired by the gold and emeralds produced in Colombia, the spa’s five chic treatment rooms sparkle with gold and green lighting.”
So there you have it. If you search “Four Seasons Bogota” anywhere, you’ve got a choice to make between two of the results.
See our detailed review of Four Seasons Hotel Bogota in the capital of Colombia.
See other reviews of the best luxury hotels in Bogota.
