Residence Inn Bogota

When I paid in the lobby, the rate shown in the Marriott Bonvoy app was higher, and an insurance charge I had declined in the app was added without my authorization. I booked directly through the app for security, but the hotel didn’t honor Marriott’s parameters or the agreed rates. Nobody gave me a proper answer. They said they had spoken to finance and would process a refund. I signed some documents, but no refund ever came through. If you use Marriott and book through its app, I’d suggest choosing another property. If you don’t use Marriott Bonvoy, good luck with excessive charges and poor financial handling.

The breakfast buffet was best in class, and there’s a great gym around the corner. The staff were outstandingly professional and friendly across check-in, service, and housekeeping. Fantastic value for money and an amazing choice for a stay in Bogotá.

Getting around was convenient for us: the hotel is within walking distance of the hospital, which could help if you’re staying near a family member, and far enough from the party areas that they didn’t disturb us at night. There are also two TemBici stations nearby. A small market next door is handy for groceries, though getting there with a stroller or wheelchair is difficult. There’s no designated Uber or taxi drop-off area, which can also be awkward with a wheelchair or baby carriage. This hotel is way overpriced for what it offers, and I wouldn’t recommend it for someone expecting a regular Residence Inn stay. It might be okay for two weeks if you keep the issues in mind, or perhaps for a weekend using points or a five-night booking with the fifth night free. The usual cash rate is far too high. The TV only has direct TV, with no screen mirroring or internet option. Channel changes are very slow, and for a new hotel, the lack of proper TVs feels cheap. The WiFi itself was decent. I wanted to put on my toddler’s favorite shows, but luckily weekend manager Monica had an extra Roku and came to install it quickly, which was a great solution. Noise from the gym and bowling alley carries to floors 1, 4, and 5. You can constantly hear weights hitting the ground, and it gets annoying. If that would bother you, ask for a room on the 7th, 8th, or 9th floor. There aren’t laundry machines in the building, unlike Residence Inns and Courtyards I’ve used elsewhere in Latin America, even though the website says “On-Site Laundry.” That isn’t true. They should remove the claim or install machines. The hotel collects laundry and sends it to an outside business for about 59000 pesos per kilo. Nearby laundry places are complicated, take days, and don’t offer self-service laundromats. Apparently just one room in the hotel has a machine, so ask which room it is and book it if you really need one. The in-room kitchen is under-equipped compared with other Residence Inn and Courtyard properties I’ve visited in Latin America. It has two burners, a dishwasher, a sink, and a fridge. There are other shortcomings too, but the biggest daily problem for us was breakfast. The buffet was all lunch-type food, which might suit some locals but wasn’t practical for an international toddler who needs regular breakfast choices. Eggs had to be ordered. I asked for three fully boiled eggs for my toddler, got one fully boiled and one undercooked, and the third never arrived. There was no easy place to get water for a baby bottle, so I had to ask at the bar. The breakfast service made simple requests feel like a problem. The night before, Hector told me we could order cooked Avena for the toddler, but when I asked at breakfast, waitress Viviana said they didn’t have any. If the buffet were complete, we wouldn’t have needed to ask for everything. Who wants salad and hot soup at 7:00-10:00 in the morning? I chose Residence Inn for a proper breakfast. Residence Inn Panama could teach this property a thing or two, as it’s better overall.

On day two of my trip, with four more days still ahead, Harold had already made this one of my top two hospitality experiences ever. I travel constantly and have stayed at hotels around the world, from five-star resorts to boutique gems, so that’s saying something. At Residence Inn Marriott in Bogotá, he made me feel like family from the moment I arrived. He’s warm, attentive, and genuinely caring, notices what I might need before I ask, and checks in with an authentic smile. He handles every detail with a precision and grace that made me stop and appreciate how rare that service is. Harold has made this hotel my go-to, my “one-stop shop” whenever I’m back in Colombia. Marriott should be proud of him. Exceptional doesn’t even cover it. Thank you, Harold.