Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Medellín Cafe Hotel Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Medellín Cafe Hotel Awaits! (Yeah, Maybe… Let’s See!) - A Seriously Detailed Review (Brace Yourselves)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I've just lived at Escape to Paradise, and I'm here to spill the beans. This ain't your fluffy, PR-approved hotel review; this is the real deal. My Medellín dream? Yeah, it included a caffeine fix, stunning views, and a serious dose of relaxation. Did Escape to Paradise deliver? Let’s dive in, shall we? (And, heads up, I’m a notorious rambler.)
Accessibility & Safety: The Foundation (Thankfully, Mostly Solid)
First things first: Accessibility. Escape to Paradise says they have facilities for disabled guests, which is good. The elevator? Yep, it exists, which is a MUST for anyone with mobility concerns. But this isn't the Ritz, so confirm detailed accessibility information before you book.
Cleanliness and Safety: Honestly, this is where things get interesting… After all, we all want safe place to rest…
- COVID-19 Stuff: I will give them props for taking the pandemic seriously. They're doing a lot, but no hotel seems to be perfect. There was professional-grade sanitizing services (good), daily disinfection in common areas (okay), and the stuff that makes you feel safe, even if you can't see it! The problem with that is that, in some areas, things felt a little messy, or in a rush, not that I am complaining. There's hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a massive win. Staff trained in safety protocol, at least, that's what they claimed. The physical distancing of at least 1 meter was mostly observed, but let's be real. You're in Medellín. You're gonna get close to people. Room sanitization opt-out available, which is nice (environmentally conscious points!). Individually-wrapped food options (yup, more single-use plastic, but hey, safety first), and safe dining setup (more on that later).
- Regular Safety: The hotel's got your basics: CCTV in common areas and outside, 24-hour security, front desk (thank god!). Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are present (phew!). Safety deposit boxes too (always use these! Trust me.)
Rooms: Paradise? It Depends…
Okay, the rooms. This is where the "Escape to Paradise" starts to get a little bit… optimistic.
- What's Good: Air conditioning (a godsend in Medellín!), Free Wi-Fi (a must), and daily housekeeping (appreciated). I loved the blackout curtains (sleeeeep!), and free bottled water (essential for hydration!). And, most importantly, there was a window that opens (fresh air!).
- The "Meh" Bits: Let's be honest, the soundproofing wasn't the greatest (bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper). I definitely wished for an additional toilet or extra large bed. The decor was a bit… generic. It's not a disaster, but it's not exactly aspirational.
- The "Almost Perfect" Okay, I loved that I had complimentary tea (essential!), and there was a coffee/tea maker. But the hairdryer? It was one of those sad, anemic ones that takes an hour to dry your hair.
- The "Wishful Thinking": They claim to have soundproof rooms. Um, no. The noise from the street, the hallway, the other rooms… let’s just say I got very familiar with the sounds of Medellín life.
- Internet Access: I'm putting internet access here again but I will explain it in more detail. They offer Internet access – wireless, and Internet access – LAN. The speed was decent – enough for streaming but don’t expect miracles.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Escape (Or Not?)
Alright, the food and drink situation. This is where Escape to Paradise's "cafe" promise should shine and it comes very close…
- The Awesome: The coffee shop is AMAZING. Seriously. Their coffee saved my sanity (and my mornings). The poolside bar is a fantastic bonus, and the breakfast [buffet] was pretty solid. They also had a happy hour (huzzah!).
- The "Could Be Better": I love that they have restaurants on-site, and room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver, but… the menu was a little limited. The Asian cuisine was okay - nothing to write home about. I was hoping for a stellar experience, but it was just okay.
- Special Mention: They have a vegetarian restaurant that is a win for veggie lovers.
- Extra Points: Bottle of water in your room, always appreciated.
- The "Meh": The desserts in the restaurant were mediocre.
- Important Notes: Breakfast in room is available, but I never got it.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The "Paradise" Potential
This is where Escape to Paradise's strengths really start to show:
- Spa & Relaxation: The entire spa experience was phenomenal.
- The Best Part: The pool with a view! Seriously, it's incredible. I spent hours there, just staring at the city. There's also a sauna, steamroom and spa/sauna.
- You're on your own… Although they claim to have massage, I never experienced it.
- The "Fitness" Fact: The fitness center exists, but if you are seriously into weights or equipment, you might be disappointed.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (Or… Not?)
- The Helpful Stuff: Daily housekeeping is a HUGE plus. Concierge service was great – they helped me book tours and taxis. Currency exchange, and cash withdrawal available (super handy). Laundry service and dry cleaning are available. They offer car park [free of charge] (major win!).
- The "Kinda Miss" I would have liked facilities for disabled guests to be more detailed on the website.
- The "Meh": Meeting/banquet facilities ,Meetings, Meeting stationery.
- The "Who Needs Them?": Babysitting service.
For the Kids: Not Really
Family/child friendly? Hmm, debatable. There are kids facilities, but not a ton. I wouldn't call this a kids' paradise, but it's not bad either!
Getting Around: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
- Airport transfer is available (and definitely recommended). Taxi service is easy to arrange.
- The "Meh": I did have a few issues with the Car park [on-site].
Overall Impression & Recommendation (The Verdict is In!)
So, did Escape to Paradise live up to its name? Honestly, it’s not quite paradise, but it's a fantastic base for exploring Medellín. If you're looking for a comfortable, well-located hotel with killer coffee, a stunning pool, and a good spa? Then, yes, book it. The location is great. And, as long as you manage your expectations and bring your own little comforts (earplugs, a better hairdryer, maybe some snacks), you'll have a brilliant time.
BUT – and this is a big BUT – don't go expecting perfection. It's charming, not flawless. It's Medellin-vibes, not luxury.
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Dreaming of Medellín? Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Medellín Cafe Hotel Awaits!
Experience the Best of Medellín at Escape to Paradise!
- Unwind and Recharge: Dive into our stunning outdoor swimming pool and soak up the sun, with a breathtaking view. Indulge in a rejuvenating spa experience with options for massage, sauna, and steamroom.
- Stay Connected & Comfortable: Enjoy free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Relax in your air-conditioned room with a private bathroom.
- Savor the Flavors of Medellín: Start your day with a delicious breakfast [buffet] or grab coffee and treats from our coffee shop. We offer a variety of cuisines, including a vegetarian restaurant!
- Convenience at Your Fingertips: Benefit from 24-hour room service, daily housekeeping, and a dedicated concierge to assist with your Medellín adventure!
- Prioritize Safety and Well-being: Relax with a variety of measures, including hand sanitizer, CCTV in common areas, and trained staff, etc.
- Explore Medellín with Ease:Take advantage of our
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is my Medellin adventure, served up with a side of chaos and questionable life choices. We're talking Cafe Hotel Medellin, Colombia, and I'm pretty sure my inner monologue is already screaming "¡Ay, caramba!"
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and the Perpetual Search for Decent Coffee
- Morning (7:00 AM - officially, more like 9:30 AM): Landed in Jose Maria Cordova International Airport. Smuggle myself through immigration - smooth sailing… until I realize I left my phone charger on the plane. Cue mild panic. I’m now officially a stranded, technology-less human in a city I barely know.
- Morning (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Taxi to Cafe Hotel Medellin. Holy moly, this city is alive. Buildings climbing up the hills like a vertical game of Tetris. Traffic made me question my sanity. I'm pretty sure the driver thought I was insane because I just kept babbling about Colombia.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Check-in (thank god!). The room? Clean. The view? Spectacular. The jet lag? A monstrous beast. Note to self: negotiate for a room away from the street.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): The coffee quest. Desperate. Wandered the neighborhood, a semi-conscious zombie searching for the holy grail of caffeine. Found a little cafe, "El Rincon Del Cafe" or something like that. The coffee? Decent. The people watching? BRILLIANT. Witnessed a heated debate about football with lots of finger-pointing. Could not understand a word but it was riveting.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Collapse in a caffeinated stupor. Read a book. Started to see the beauty of Medellin – the architecture, the vibrant colors, the way the light moves.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Realize I need to eat food before I die in this room. Walked to a place that looked promising, "La Cocina de la Abuela" ("Grandma's Kitchen"). The food was… well, let's just say "rustic." But Grandma's cooking is never meant to be perfect, right? It was filling, and the arepas were LIFE-CHANGING.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Stumbled back to the hotel, defeated by both the food coma and jet lag. Passed out.
Day 2: Comunas, Cable Cars, and the Questionable Wisdom of My Own Legs
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up… kinda. Stiff as a board. Coffee round two. Found a place called "Doña Rosa's" - the coffee's weak but the pastries! Sweet, sugary bliss.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): El Metro Cable and Comuna 13! This is why I came! Took the cable car up, up, up. The views! The favelas clinging to the mountainsides… honestly, breathtaking. The energy of Comuna 13! Street art exploding off every surface, breakdancers, and a palpable sense of resilience. I felt like I’d stumbled into a different world. Spent way too long taking photos, and ended up late for the walking tour - but worth it.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch near Comuna 13. Found a small family-run place selling empanadas. Absolutely devoured like 5 or 6 of them. The woman running the place was an angel, even though I'm terrible at Spanish.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Walked (or rather, limped) back toward the city center. My legs… they are not friends. Found a charming little park, Parque de Bolivar, and sat down to watch the world go by. There was a group practicing Salsa. I wanted to join so bad… maybe tomorrow.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner. Found a place with live music. The band was amazing. The food? Eh. But the atmosphere? Electric. I tried to dance. I failed. But I had fun.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Crawled back to the hotel, reflecting on a day of highs and lows. I'm exhausted, but I don't think I've smiled this much in a long time.
Day 3: El Poblado, Nightmares, and Attempting Spanish
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): "El Poblado" - Brunch at a hip cafe. Ordered something fancy, couldn't pronounce it properly, and ended up with eggs benedict and a side of mortification. But, hey, the coffee was good!
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Wandered around the neighborhood (which is upscale, compared to the others). Shopping is not my thing, but the people are interesting.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch in El Poblado. Found a restaurant with a view. Food was overpriced, but the view was amazing.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Tried to learn some Spanish. Failed miserably. My brain is apparently allergic to grammar.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Took a taxi to the "Museo de Antioquia", filled with art, statues, and paintings around the plaza.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Went to a bar and ordered something in Spanish! Got a drink… and a strange look from the bartender. I’ll take it as a win, though!
- Evening (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Realization: I should have taken a class on the Spanish I just butchered.
Day 4: Getting Lost (and Loving It) and Saying Goodbye
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Breakfast at Cafe Hotel Medellin. Coffee with the best view.
- Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Got completely lost. No map, no plan, just wandering the streets. It was terrifying and exhilarating. Somehow stumbled upon a local market, filled with fruit, spices, and people. My Spanish might be atrocious, but I managed to buy some amazing mangoes.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch somewhere. Doesn't matter. The food faded into the background. All that mattered was the feeling of freedom and the realization that I was actually doing this.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Tried to buy a souvenir. Got ripped off but laughed about it.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Headed back to the hotel for the last time. Packed, watched the sunset, and felt a profound sense of peace. And a twinge of sadness.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): One last dinner, at a place recommended by the hotel. The food was average. The company was… myself. And I was perfectly content.
- Evening (8:00 PM onwards): Goodbyes to Cafe Hotel Medellin. Headed for the airport, on a high note.
Unscheduled Adventures:
- Constant attempts at Spanish: Resulted in a mixture of laughter, confusion, and the occasional accidental insult.
- The quest for good coffee continued. A neverending saga.
- Daily observations on Medellin's vibrant street life. I swear, these people are the happiest on Earth!
- My phone charger remains AWOL: This is the struggle.
Emotional Reactions (The Good, The Bad, and the Messy):
- Joy: From the cable car rides, the Comuna 13 tour, the salsa, from the sheer vibrancy of this city.
- Frustration: My terrible Spanish. The constant jet lag. My general ineptitude with directions.
- Wonder: Watching the sun set over the city, the resilience of the people, the sheer beauty of the landscape.
- Sadness: Leaving Medellin - but with a promise to return.
- Humor: Everything. Laughing at myself. Laughing at the absurdity of it all.
Final Thoughts:
Medellin, you magnificent mess. You challenged me, frustrated me, and utterly captivated me. It
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Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Medellín Cafe Hotel Awaits! (Or Does It?) - FAQs You Actually Need!
Okay, spill the beans! Is this place REALLY as amazing as the photos? Every photo looks like paradise on earth!
Ugh, those photos. Look, they're *good*. Like, *really* good. The photographer deserves a medal, or at least a lifetime supply of that delicious Colombian coffee. But here's the thing... reality is a little, shall we say, *textured*. The pool? Yeah, it's beautiful. But sometimes, the guy who mows the lawn decides to do it *right* when you’re trying to splash around with a margarita. And the butterflies fluttering around the flowers? Adorable. Until one decides to dive headfirst into your guava juice and you're questioning your entire life (and your immune system).
I came. I saw. I Instagrammed. And then… reality hit. That first morning? Woke up to the sound of a rooster, not a gentle chime. The wifi? Bless its heart, it tried. But sometimes, felt like it was channeling a dial-up modem. But you know what? It was still *pretty* fantastic. Just… not flawless. Which, honestly, is a relief, right? Gives you something juicy to tell your friends when you get back.
The coffee! Everyone raves about the coffee. Is it *really* worth all the hype? I'm a coffee snob, you see…
Alright, fellow bean-obsessed brethren, let's talk coffee. The answer? Yeah, it's pretty freaking incredible. I’m not even a *huge* coffee person, but… I became one. Seriously, *that* Colombian coffee is different. It's the stuff of legends. Smooth, rich, the aroma alone could cure a Monday hangover. I had, like, five cups the first day, then I was so jittery I could've outrun a sloth on speed. But the *flavor*… oh, the flavor. Forget that sad excuse for coffee you get at the airport. This is the real deal. My advice? Pace yourself. And maybe invest in a decent pair of running shoes.
What's the deal with Medellín? Is it safe? Is it worth the hustle?
Okay, let's get real. Medellín has a *history*, a complicated past. And yes, you need to be smart, aware of your surroundings, and not wander around flashing wads of cash at 3 am. But honestly, I felt safer there than in some cities *in my own country* (don't @ me). The people are incredibly warm, welcoming, and always willing to help a lost tourist. I stumbled around lost for a good hour, and almost everyone went out of their way to point me in the perfect direction. Plus, the city itself? Absolutely stunning. The mountains cradling the concrete, the vibrant street art bursting with color. Definitely worth the "hustle", just take the usual precautions. Honestly, the biggest "danger" I faced was developing a serious addiction to arepas (and maybe the hotel’s ridiculously comfortable beds).
The rooms: What are they *really* like? Are they as luxurious as they seem?
Luxury? Yes, absolutely! But also? Real life. My room, bless its heart, was amazing. Seriously. I could have stayed in that bed for a month. But here's a story... Remember that super cute balcony they show in the photos? Mine was... let's call it "intimately connected" to the neighbour's. The neighbor's balcony, let me clarify, had an incredibly loud parrot named "Pepe" that had a potty mouth. Like, *Shakespearean* level potty mouth. Every morning was a cacophony of Pepe's inappropriate utterances and the scent of freshly brewed Colombian coffee... which, you know, not the worst way to wake up. So, yes, luxurious. But also, maybe bring some earplugs. And perhaps a translator for parrot profanity.
My friend got a room with a *breathtaking* mountain view - which was, admittedly, the best. The only problem? Their window wasn’t super resistant to sound. So, every morning they were treated to the chirping of a thousand birds... and the occasional car alarm. The point is, it's all part of the experience. It all adds to the *charm*!
What kind of activities are available at the hotel and in the surrounding area? I'm a bit of an adventurer!
Oh, honey, get ready to be *busy*! The hotel itself? Has a pool, which is lovely, a spa, a restaurant serving some *amazing* food. Think gorgeous fresh fruit at every meal, just overflowing with flavor. They hosted a salsa night one time and it was... well, it was lively. I, personally, was more of a "watch from the sidelines with a cocktail" type of participant.
Outside the hotel is where the real fun begins. Medellin offers so much. Hike to the top of a mountain, visit Comuna 13 (a MUST-DO – incredible street art!), explore the Botero Plaza with those iconic sculptures, or go paragliding! I went paragliding. And, oh my god, it was the most terrifying and exhilarating thing I've ever done. For a solid thirty seconds I was pretty sure I was going to die. Then… I was flying! Spectacular views, adrenaline pumping like crazy. Don't skip the paragliding. Just maybe don't eat a huge lunch beforehand like I did. Learn from my mistakes. And if you're scared? Do it anyway. You won't regret it – unless you have a weak stomach, of course.
Is it kid-friendly?
Hmm... that's a question. The hotel itself is generally kid-friendly, they had high chairs, and even a kids menu. But, Medellín? It depends. The pool is lovely (that's important!). But some of the more touristy areas can get *crowded* and things do get a bit more hectic. Honestly, I'd recommend taking your pre-teens! If you have smaller kids? Maybe research that more! It really comes down to your style of travel. If you're looking for quiet relaxation with a baby? Maybe not the best fit. But if you're up for adventure, a bit of chaos, and a whole lot of fun? Go for it!
And most importantly: Is it worth the price tag?
Okay, the million-dollar question. Look, it's not the cheapest vacation you'll ever take. But... *for me*? Yes. Absolutely. The vibe, the coffee (did I mention the coffee?), the service – it’s all pretty special. Remember that paragliding experience? That’s worth the price of admission alone, haha. If you're looking for a super budget trip and want to only spend money on things like dorms, try to save up more and stay a little longer. You will not want to leave. And, consider the memories! Even if they include a potty-mouthed parrot and a slightly malfunctioning wifi. You'll beQuick Hotel Finder
