Cayena-Caracas

Venezuela doesn’t see a lot of tourists these days. But in a big city — even one as reputedly dangerous as Caracas — the entrepreneurial spirit never really dies. Subscribing, perhaps, to the optimistic “if you build it, they will come” philosophy is the chic Cayena Caracas. Its clever design anticipates any traveler concerns about safety: the hotel is located in the exclusive neighborhood of La Castellana, set back from the street, tucked away behind heavy doors. Stepping inside is like arriving at a private villa surrounded by gorgeously landscaped gardens and terraces.

Guest rooms are plush and quiet, furnished with modern four-poster beds and spacious bathrooms with marble fixtures and rain showers. The look is classic and sophisticated, the subdued color palette of white, beige, and black warmed up by the high-tech lighting system. Standard amenities include Illy coffee machines, iPod docks, goose down comforters, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, bath products by Acqua di Parma, 24-hour room service, and free wi-fi. Higher-end rooms and suites have private patios with daybeds and views of the mountains.

Cerro El Ávila, the towering centerpiece of the Cordillera de la Costa, and the natural boundary between the city and the Caribbean Sea, is particularly lovely to behold from Cayena Caracas’ rooftop terrace and swimming pool. If you’d rather run on a loop than swim laps, there’s a small fitness center downstairs.

Also on the ground level: La Sibillia, the hotel’s buttoned-up Italian restaurant, serving perfectly al dente pastas in a white linen setting. And then there’s an inviting trio of “social living rooms.” One has a fireplace, all have smartly stocked bookshelves and elegant lounge space. It’s a perfect place to browse through the books on Venezuelan architecture and geography, and perhaps plan an onward journey to the mountains or the coast.