Unbelievable Quinta Ladera Medellín: Your Colombian Dream Awaits!
Unbelievable Quinta Ladera Medellín: My Colombian Dream… Almost! (A Review That Tells It Like It Is)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn’t your average hotel review. This is my experience with Quinta Ladera Medellín, and trust me, it’s a rollercoaster. The title promises a Colombian dream, and well, let's just say my dream had a few… hiccups. But overall? Yeah, it was pretty damn good. Let's dive in, shall we?
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- Metadata Description: Unvarnished review of Quinta Ladera Medellín, a Colombian hotel boasting stunning views, spa, and accessibility features. Read about my experience with the amenities, service, and the inevitable quirks that make travel so… real!
First Impressions (and a bit of a rant):
The sheer beauty of this place hits you right in the face. Think lush greenery, sprawling views of the city, and that classic Colombian charm. Arrival was slick, thanks to their Airport Transfer. No haggling for taxis? Lovely. But the Check-in/out [express] was a bit too express. I felt like I was being herded through a cattle chute. A little more breathing room to soak it all in would have been ace. But hey, they got me to my room, right? And what a room!
(Rooms: My Luxurious Lair – With a Few Annoyances)
My Room was spacious and comfortable. The Air conditioning was a godsend (Medellín gets warm!). The Blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping off all those arepas. And the Free Wi-Fi was a definite plus, though I did find myself needing the Internet access – LAN occasionally, because my connection kept dropping out near the window. This is where the almost comes in…
I loved the view. Honestly, it was breathtaking. But the Alarm clock seemed to have a mind of its own. Woke me up at 3 AM, which, as a night owl, I was NOT prepared for. I guess that’s part of the Wake-up service. (eye roll).
The Refrigerator was a lifesaver for storing my bottled water. And the Free bottled water they gave was a nice touch. But on Day 2, my Room hadn’t been cleaned! Ugh! I ended up calling the Daily housekeeping who said they were behind because it was rush hour. I had to ask them to come back and clean it, and they didn't make it until 4PM. It was a small inconvenience, so I just rolled with it. The Bathtub was heavenly. The Bathrobes were fluffy. The Slippers were… well, they were slippers!
(Accessibility: A Mixed Bag)
The Facilities for disabled guests seem to be present but I don't know much about those things. The Elevator definitely made getting around easier. I got to see the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, which made me feel (reasonably) safe. My biggest issue was that the layout, while gorgeous, felt a little… circuitous at times. Navigating with a mobility issue might be a challenge. I loved the Air conditioning in public area, super important in a city like Medellín.
(Dining, Drinking & Snacking: An Ode to Arepas (and the Occasional Hangry Moment))
Here’s the juicy stuff! The Breakfast [buffet] was amazing. The Asian breakfast and Western Breakfast (they really cater to everyone!) were both delicious. I found myself addicted to the arepas, and they had Salad in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, the whole shebang. The Coffee/tea in restaurant were always on point. The Breakfast service was definitely top-notch.
But let's talk about the Room service [24-hour]. One night, I ordered a burger at 2 AM (don’t judge!). It took an HOUR. I was starving by the time it arrived. But, it was a damn good burger. The Poolside bar was great too, with its Happy hour and killer cocktails. They even had Bottle of water which I took to my room and I loved it. I tried the A la carte in restaurant and the Buffet in restaurant as well. It really was a wonderful experience.
(Relaxation Station: Spa Days and Poolside Bliss)
This is where Quinta Ladera shines. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is a stunning infinity pool with a view that will make you weep. The Pool with view is the single reason I'd go back tomorrow, and this is one of the experiences that really made me feel like I was having a great time. The Spa was pure indulgence. I went all in with a Body wrap and a Massage that melted away all my stress. The Sauna and Steamroom were a welcome addition. I didn't try the Body scrub, but I heard rave reviews. They did a great job taking care of me.
(Cleanliness & Safety: COVID-19 Era – A Mixed Bag)
Let’s be real: traveling in a pandemic is tricky. Quinta Ladera seemed to take things seriously. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere. The Staff trained in safety protocol. And I saw the Daily disinfection in common areas. There was definitely a focus on cleanliness which was great.
However, I didn't see everything. I'm not a doctor and I don't know how to look for Anti-viral cleaning products. However, the one thing I did see was how the staff made a constant effort to be vigilant. The Room sanitization opt-out available kind of defeated the purpose because I didn't opt out, which I thought was a bit silly.
(Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the “Almost” Good)
The Concierge was incredibly helpful, and the Doorman was always smiling. The Cash withdrawal option was handy. The Laundry service was efficient (and necessary after all those poolside cocktails!). They had a Laundry service. Also, they have a Currency exchange, which is always useful. They even take Cashless payment service!
The Gift/souvenir shop was stocked with cute trinkets. I used the Car park [free of charge], which was very helpful. The Car power charging station also seemed to be present. However, the Invoice provided was a bit off, which wasn't very helpful in my budget.
I will gladly utilize the Taxi service to get around. The Babysitting service wasn't applicable to me, but it's great that they offer it.
(Things to Do: Beyond the Hotel Walls)
Okay, I didn’t spend all my time at the hotel (as tempting as the pool was!). They offered Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, and Meetings but I didn't attend any of those. Medellín itself is bursting with culture and activity. From exploring the vibrant streets to taking a day trip to Guatapé, there's something for everyone. They also have For the kids which seems like a great addition.
(Bottom Line: Worth It? Absolutely! With a Few Caveats.)
Quinta Ladera Medellín is a stunning hotel with incredible potential. The location, the views, the spa, the staff (mostly!) – all top-notch. The few hiccups? The slow room service, the inconsistent Wi-Fi, and the small hiccups of communication. Are they deal-breakers? No. Would I go back? Hell yes! Just, next time, I’m bringing my own earplugs and a stash of snacks. And maybe, just maybe, a personal alarm clock…
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (With a potential for 5 with a few tweaks!)
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(Bonus – Just for Fun!)
- Quirky Observation: The tiny, perfectly folded towels shaped like swans in my bathroom felt like a personal invitation to a tropical fantasy.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated, “I’m-never-leaving-this-pool” happiness.
- Imperfection: That 3 AM wake-up call nearly made me throw a pillow.
- Honesty Rating: 10/10
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into my (hopefully) epic, and definitely messy, Medellín adventure at Quinta Ladera. Forget your rigid, overly-structured itineraries. This is more like a rambling, slightly caffeinated conversation with myself, documenting a trip where the unexpected is the expected.
Quinta Ladera: Medellín, Colombia - The "Maybe We'll Actually Leave the Terrace" Itinerary (and Everything Else)
Day 1: Arrival and… Existential Dread in a Hammock
- 8:00 AM (ish): Flight lands. Already sweating. I hate flying. Always feel like I’m actively auditioning for a pre-mature heart attack. Immigration? Smooth as silk thanks to my shockingly good Spanish. (Thanks, Duolingo!).
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to Quinta Ladera. The drive? Stunning. Lush, green hillsides, the city sprawling below… okay, okay, I get it. Medellín is beautiful. But I'm also already exhausted. The bags feel heavier than I remember.
- 11:00 AM: Check-in. Quinta Ladera itself? Gorgeous. Like, Instagram-worthy gorgeous. My casita has a private balcony overlooking the entire valley. (Cue internal monologue: “Am I worthy? Should I bring a book? Or just stare?”)
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the Quinta. Simple, delicious. I'm starving and inhale a bandeja paisa (a local dish) with a frighteningly quick bite. Regret follows. Should have paced myself. But, good lord, that chicharrón (fried pork belly) was worth it.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Hammock time. This is where the existential dread begins. That view… it's intimidatingly perfect. The silence… deafening. I swing. I think. I question my life choices. Maybe I should have brought that self-help book after all.
- 6:00 PM: "Pre-dinner drinks" on the terrace. Seriously, the Quinta Ladera terrace is a character in itself. Sipping aguardiente (the national drink - anise-flavored and deceptively strong). Meet some other guests. A mix of expats and travelers. One guy is telling a very long story about his parrot. I smile and nod, praying I don't have to buy the parrot a drink.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at the Quinta. More deliciousness. I try to appear cultured and order something I can't pronounce. It might have been a stew? I have no clue. But it was delicious, again.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Exhausted both physically, and emotionally. I didn't walk around the city, or see the museums. Tomorrow, though! Definitely, tomorrow!
Day 2: Comuna 13 and the Power of Street Art (and My Blistered Feet)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. This is what I came for. Fresh fruit, arepas (corn cakes), coffee that actually tastes like coffee. Heaven.
- 9:00 AM: Tour of Comuna 13. This is the day I'd been dreading, and waiting for. It's a neighborhood that was once notorious for violence has been transformed into a vibrant hub of street art, music, and resilience. Let me stop here. I need to rant. Why didn't I bring better shoes?! I can already feel the blisters brewing, and I've only just started walking.
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: The tour. My guide, a local, is incredible. He's passionate, articulate, and tells stories that grip you by the throat. The art is breathtaking – murals, graffiti, every corner explodes with color and meaning. We ride the escalators (they transformed the neighborhood). Even in all the heat and the throngs of people, I was captivated by the heart of this place. I think, against my better judgement, I actually learn something. That alone makes the blisters worth it.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Comuna 13. Street food. Empanadas, arepas with everything. I eat so much, I'm afraid I may never want to look at a fried dough-based thing again.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The second half of the tour. More art, more stories, more… staircases. My feet scream. I start to think I can actually see the blisters bubbling under my socks.
- 4:00 PM: Return to Quinta Ladera. Collapsed on the balcony. Medicate with a cool shower. Wonder if I'm up to walk to the pool later.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset drinks (yes, again). This time I'm better prepared: I'm wearing the most comfortable sandals I own, which are not good for walking, but absolutely perfect for the terrace. I also find that parrot-guy again. Swear he’s been following me.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. I can’t decide if I’m hungrier than I was yesterday. I manage to make it to the pool, but only barely.
- 9:00 PM: Bed, absolutely wrecked. Thinking of the day. Feeling deeply moved by the resilience and beauty I witnessed in Comuna 13, but also about my questionable shoe strategy. At least I have the memories.
Day 3: Guatapé and the Rock (and My Terrible Sense of Direction)
- 7:00 AM: Alarm clocks and terrible decisions.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. I have to. I need the energy.
- 9:00 AM: Taxi to Guatapé. Oh lord, I'm in a car. My sense of direction sucks. I will be completely alone, in a strange place I've never been before. This could be fine. Or the beginning of the end. Let's hope for fine.
- 11:00 AM: Arrive in Guatapé. It's even more colorful than the pictures! Tiny buildings bursting with vibrant facades. Absolutely ridiculously beautiful.
- 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Climbing El Peñol. The Rock. The big, gigantic, awe-inspiring rock that you climb up 740-something stairs. Well, I made it. My legs were burning and I huffed and puffed. But the view from the top? OMG. Panoramas. Lakes. Islands. It was spectacular. Worth every single wheeze.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Arepas. Everything is arepas.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Exploring Guatapé. Wandering the streets, taking photos of the zócalos (the colorful baseboards of the houses). I get lost. I get turned around. But it's fine. I mean, it's all beautiful. And I was wandering around alone. (cue my internal monologue: “Did I see that correctly? Is that door really that tiny? Did I miss something completely obvious?”)
- 4:00 PM: Return to Quinta Ladera. Tired.
- 5:00 PM: The pool. I just have to.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. (Do I eat enough fried food? Or do I need more?)
- 7:00 PM: Last night, I think. I'm ready to go home.
Day 4: Departure (or, The Art of Saying Goodbye to a View)
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. I inhale everything.
- 9:00 AM: Packing. The most boring, and sometimes the worst part of the holiday. I swear my bag has somehow gained five pounds, but I will make it work.
- 10:00 AM: Final stroll around the Quinta. I realize I'm going to miss it. The staff, the food, the terrace… (it’s so weird how much I like that damn terrace). Maybe I'll have to come back.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. The familiar sinking feeling as the city fades away.
- 1:00 PM: Flight.
- 2:00 PM: Over and done. Time to plan the next adventure.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
- The feet are healing.
- I miss the aguardiente.
- Comuna 13 will stay with me.
- I learned something.
- Medellín, you're a beautiful, baffling, and brilliant place.
- And I will definitely buy better shoes before traveling alone…again.
Unbelievable Quinta Ladera Medellín: Your Colombian Dream... Maybe? Let's Talk (Honestly)
Okay, so... Quinta Ladera. Is it ACTUALLY unbelievable? Like, REALLY?
Look, "unbelievable" is a strong word, right? Marketing, man! But... honestly? Yeah, parts of it were pretty darn amazing. The view? Holy guacamole. I'm talking panoramic, jaw-dropping, Instagram-feed-destroying views of Medellín. You’re high up, literally and figuratively. Felt like I was breathing thinner air and a thicker sense of *luxury*. And the breakfasts? Fresh fruit, arepas, that weird but amazing Colombian coffee… I could live off that stuff, and nearly did. The sheer *beauty* of the landscaping... it's like a postcard that actually *smells* good.
...But here’s the thing: it’s not *perfect*. And anyone who tells you perfection exists in travel is lying. More on that later.
What's the vibe? Is it romantic, party, family-friendly? Give me the lowdown!
Okay, the vibe at Quinta Ladera... it's definitely leaning romantic but I still see it for a party atmosphere! Like, think "sophisticated relaxation" with a side of "potential for a very good time." We saw a couple there on their honeymoon (we were SO jealous!), sipping passion fruit cocktails by the pool. Talk about goals. It's not a wild party scene, thank goodness. No blaring techno music at 3 AM. More like quiet whispers with your significant other. But... you could easily get a group of friends together, order a bunch of those cocktails, and have a *blast*. It felt safe, elegant, and like, well, a little slice of heaven. Kids? Hmm... I saw a few families but it depends on the kid. One toddler threw a tantrum that echoed through the whole place. Probably not the staff's favorite guest :p!
The Rooms: Are they as amazing as the pictures? Spill the tea!
Alright, the rooms... this is where things get a little… complicated. The *pictures* are gorgeous, no doubt. Think crisp white linens, huge windows, private balconies… all that good stuff. And yeah, our room *was* lovely. Spacious, the bed was incredibly comfortable (I swear, I slept like a log!), and the view from the balcony? Chef's kiss. But... and there's always a but, isn’t there?
Our air conditioning was a little wonky. Kept switching itself off in the middle of the night. Not ideal when you're used to the crisp, perfect air con of most hotels, especially after the heat in Medellín. I had to call reception twice. They fixed it, eventually... and then it broke again the next night. Minor inconvenience, but it did slightly take the shine off the whole "luxury" experience. Also, the lighting in the bathroom was… unflattering. Let's just say I didn't take a lot of selfies in there. But I guess it saved me some time, right? It felt very "Instagram vs. Reality," you know?
That Pool Though: Is it as good as it looks? Tell me EVERYTHING!
Oh, the pool. The pool! Okay, this is where Quinta Ladera *really* shines. The infinity pool is the stuff of dreams. Seriously. It just *melts* into the view of the city. I spent hours just floating around, staring out at Medellín. The water temperature was perfect, the sun was glorious… I even managed to read a whole book (which is a huge accomplishment for me, attention span of a gold fish!). There wasn't much shade, but that was fine by me.
The pool attendants were super attentive; always making sure you had a drink, or a fresh towel. You could order food poolside, too. Highly recommend the guacamole and plantain chips. The ONLY slight downside? It can get a little crowded at peak times. Also, I saw one guy… let’s just say he got a little *too* enthusiastic with his cannonballs, and nearly emptied the pool over the side. That was… a moment. But even that couldn’t ruin it. That pool… it’s why I would go back.
I spent a whole afternoon there. I started drinking Pina Coladas. Then I upgraded to margaritas. Then… well, let’s just say by the time I got out of the pool, I was definitely feeling the effects of the altitude and the tequila. But it was a *good* time. I met some lovely people, made some terrible jokes, and felt completely, utterly relaxed. Worth every single penny. The pool is the soul of this place. The heart. The reason to go.
The Service: Was it actually good? Or just… "adequate"?
Service can make or break a place, right? And at Quinta Ladera, it was a mixed bag. Most of the staff were genuinely lovely. Super friendly, helpful, always trying their best to make you comfortable. I have to say, their English was way better than my Spanish, which was a big help. The front desk was always there to help with anything that came up throughout the day.
They had excellent customer service.
But… and here's that "but" again… there were a few moments where things felt a little… slow. Like, waiting a long time for a drink at the bar. Or the room service taking forever to arrive (especially after that afternoon by the pool!). It wasn’t a huge deal, but it did take the sheen off the experience a little. Things generally run at a slower pace in Colombia anyway, which you have to remember. Still, for the price tag, you almost expect a little more attentiveness.
Food, Glorious Food: What's the grub like? Any recommendations (or warnings)?
Okay, the food! This is where Quinta Ladera really delivered. Breakfast was a feast. We're talking fresh fruit (SO much mango!), arepas (those amazing corn cakes), eggs cooked to order, the works. The coffee was strong and delicious. I could easily sit there all morning, sipping coffee and staring out at the view, and that's exactly what I did, on several occasions.
Dinner was also excellent. They had a pretty decent menu, which changed daily, and everything was prepared with care. I tried the local dishes, and some more international options. Every single dish was executed well.
The only real "warning" would be: the restaurant can be a little pricey, and there aren’t many other dining options within walking distance (you'd need to take a taxi, or rely on room service). Plan accordingly. But honestly? The food was worth it. Except, perhaps, that one time I tried to order their specialty beef dish... let's just say I'm not the biggest fan ofSnooze And Stay
