Hotel casas de Campo El Ciruelo

Hotel Ciruelo was even lovelier in person than in the photos. My husband and I stopped for a spontaneous night on our way from Bucaramanga and fell in love with the place. It’s just outside San Gil, not far from the main road. The last 5-10 minutes are on a rough, one-way road, but the grounds make it worth the drive. The cabins, pool, shared spaces, and grounds are beautifully designed and cared for. You’re surrounded by Colombian nature, with modern comforts and amenities. We arrived late in the evening without a reservation and were warmly welcomed and shown around. We chose one of the smaller cabins, which suited us perfectly. It had a practical little kitchenette, a lovely private bathroom with hot water, TV, WiFi, and a rustic hotel-like interior. There’s a minibar for purchase, but no other food or drinks provided on the grounds. Food delivery is available, and there are several restaurants to choose from. We ordered burgers from Callejeros in San Gil and were very happy with them 😋. If you order rather than bring food to cook, it’s a good idea to have exact cash, since delivery drivers may not have change. During our stay, three absolutely precious, exceptionally trained German Shepards guarded the grounds. They greeted arrivals to make sure they were safe, and acted as pool lifeguards too 😅. As soon as you get in the water, one may come over to keep an eye on you. They’re strong and protective, but also incredibly kind, gentle, and people-loving. They stole our hearts ❤️. They may wander over when food is around, though they didn’t beg, so to speak, or steal any. Still, it may be smart to store food well if you want to save it for later 😉. Cash wasn’t accepted in our case, but there are several reliable, easy ways to pay electronically. We paid effortlessly by Colombian bank transfer. We couldn’t have been happier with our stay and would definitely return. I’d recommend it to anyone passing through who needs a place to stay.