Hotel Quinta Ladera

Many of Medellin’s best hotels are housed in modern high-rises, a fact that makes Hotel Quinta Ladera especially notable. While it’s close by to the museums, this sustainably built 10-room boutique hotel feels like an urban oasis — calm, light-filled, and neatly tucked away from the busy city streets. Lush greenery frames the petite property, with its verdant courtyard gardens and trees illuminated with twinkling lights after dark; thanks to the hotel’s thoughtful design, the indoor-outdoor flow is seamless, creating a treehouse-like atmosphere in garden-facing guest rooms.

In addition to being full of natural light, the interiors are elegant, cozy, and full of character with terracotta-tiled floors and white wood-beamed ceilings. A team of Colombian artists and artisans is responsible for many of the hotel’s charming details, from decorative woven baskets and handmade ceramics to delicate framed watercolors and large-scale oil paintings. Guest rooms have tangerine or olive green accent walls, potted plants, and modern bathrooms stocked with organic products and artisan-made towels. Some have French doors opening onto private tree-shaded patios with luxurious stone tubs.

There’s a French flavor to the hotel’s all-day café and restaurant, as well, though several traditional Colombian dishes are also on offer for breakfast, alongside freshly baked almond croissants. Many of Medellin’s cultural attractions are an easy stroll away, and after a day of sightseeing, there’s no better place to relax than a hammock suspended by the hotel’s reflecting pool.