Four Points by Sheraton Medellin

The rooms are spacious, and breakfast has a pretty good range of options. The hotel is next to a mall, with easy access to a few notable parks. Service was average, though we did get evening turn-down service. The gym is barely there: a few dumbbells and two treadmills, outdoors under a zinc roof with no air conditioning. Bathrooms are very outdated.

Breakfast was the highlight, with a great selection. The staff made sure I was well looked after, and the front desk team was polished and very professional. My room was spacious and really clean. Great location, conveniently close to things. If I'm back in Medellin, I'll stay here again.

I won't stay at this hotel again. After more than 800 stays at Marriott properties, I've never been told I had to pay extra just to have different friends visit my room. I understand the security policy and had no issue with my guests registering at the front desk with proper identification. But after one friend visited for dinner and a short chat in my room the night before, the desk told me I'd have to pay an additional charge for two other friends I planned to host the next day after lunch at the hotel. They weren't staying overnight, just joining me for drinks and conversation in my room. I've stayed here many times while preparing to move to Medellin after retirement. This trip was to see local friends after visiting Bogota, and I have perhaps a dozen friends I'd like to host for a meal and conversation during a weeklong stay. A hotel should feel like my home, and those friends also bring the hotel business when we eat and drink there. I was told the charge was local hotel policy, but the policy is misguided and the opposite of hospitality. If I can review the hotel on its website, I'll give it one star for hospitality. Next time I'm in Medellin, I'll choose an Airbnb or a competitor that treats me with proper respect.

The location was a real surprise, maybe the best around. Everything felt about a 5-10 minute ride away, and having the mall connected to the hotel was great. I was upgraded to a spacious junior suite with a nice room and a great view. I usually feel wary about staying at any Four Points, but this one beat my expectations. It had a lot of amenities I didn't try, though I saw an outdoor fitness area, a pool, and a full spa. I only ate at the restaurant for the buffet breakfast. It was good, with eggs and omelettes made fresh, though I wished there were more choices. Nice to know room service is available 24 hours. For the brand and the price, it's a pretty great place.