Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

61Prado Guesthouse, Medellin, Colombia
Nominated By: Lisa Lubin, Chicago, Illinois, USA, January '11

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Price Range: 40.000 - 75.000 COP # of Rooms: 16 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes the 61Prado Guesthouse so Darn Good? 61Prado is cool and clean, with a fresh, modern design rarely found in other hotels at this price in Colombia. What I liked most about the guesthouse, though, was the lobby at night, which feels like a hip lounge with exposed brick, soft music, and glowing white candles.

Location: 61Prado Guesthouse is located in the Prado Centro barrio, just two blocks from the Metro station and a ten minute walk to central Medellin. The many opulent mansions and neoclassical homes from the 1920s and 30s reveal the Prado’s former status as the choice neighborhood for wealthy Medellinenses. The barrio went through some hard times more recently, but today Prado Centro has largely recovered – though guests should still use common sense during the day and take extra care at night. Medellin is Colombia’s second largest city and is known for its perfect climate, the excellent Museo de Antioquia, its orchid-rich botanical gardens, and happening nightlife.

Rooms: Lovingly restored by a Dutch expat named Luc, the guesthouse offers simply decorated rooms with private bathrooms smartly renovated with black-tiled showers and modern sinks and faucets. My room had a hardwood floor, a wood-beamed vaulted ceiling, and a big, flat screen TV.

Food: 61Prado offers a cheap and tasty breakfast every day. The menu includes several choices, but my favorite was the huevos pericos (scrambled eggs with onions and tomatoes), along with toast, fresh fruit, freshly-squeezed fruit juices, and coffee or tea. The big, modern kitchen is also available for communal use.

Vibe: At night, guests can hang out and relax in the candle-lit lobby while quiet music plays in the background. By day, sunlight shines in through the skylights and windows. I also appreciated the spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains from the rooftop terrace, as well as the free wi-fi.

Keep in Mind: While 61Prado is on a side street, guests in the front rooms may hear some street noise. Again, the neighborhood can be a bit rough around the edges, so while it is considered safe during the day, definitely take a taxi back at night - they are cheap and plentiful.