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Hotel Recommendations in Bogotá?

I know this subject has been discussed before, but I do not see too much recent info on the board. I have read the neighborhood near the Embassy is not the greatest, so I am interested to know more about this and get suggestions on what Hotels are good. I prefer something in the $75-$99 range per night. I assume the Taxi service is expensive in Bogotá? Being walking distance to Malls, nice Restaurants and maybe Museums or Shows would be a plus. My main purpose of the trip is for the U.S. Embassy interview, so I don't want to be too out of the way.

I have read postings on Hotel La Opera, which sounds nice. I read it is in the Colonial District near the Palace? Also I seen posts or found on searches Hotel El Belvedere, Hotel Dann Norte, Embassy Suites Bogotá and Aparta Class. Anyone have experience with the establishments either local or tourists? Or if there is a link for honest information could you post on the board?
I also found a link for many Hotels in Bogotá http://www.partres.com/hotel/bog.html I hope this is OK to post?
I'm looking forward to my trip soon!

By ewonder on Aug 19, 2004, 09:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

Scott Goodfellow says on Aug 19, 2004, 10:05:

La Opera is rather nice... When I was last in Bogota in 1999, Hotel La Opera had recently opened. It was then (and probably still is) the only decent hotel in the historic Candelaria area in the centre. Very swish, comfortable and friendly with a beautiful restaurant on the top floor. All the other posh hotels are either miles away in the Zona Rosa or in the fairly dull new centre.

The Candelaria is charming and full of interest. However it has one small drawback; being close to the very unsalubrious district of Egypto (sp?) it is pretty dangerous after dark. Taxis to the door are absolutely necessary! As I remember, the hotel is so close to government buildings that there are armed guards near the well-lit front door, which I found reassuring. (It is not unknown for whole hotels to be robbed at gunpoint in Colombia and this happened to the Platypus backpackers hostel while I was in Bogota in '96.)

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 19, 2004, 12:01:

4 points The Sheraton 4 points is actually very near the airport and maybe 5-10 minutes by cab from the US Embajada. Other than that, there's nothing to really recommend it. It's by a busy road in a residential neighborhood. Hotel Opera is very swanky and romantic in that old colonial way, but if you want any sort of nightlife it's the wrong district. There are numerous hotels in your price range around the Zona Rosa (Morrison, Boheme, Andino Royal...) if you want more safety and action. The cab fares in Colombia are practically free.

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camaleon says on Aug 19, 2004, 13:05:

neighborhood near the Embassy is not the greatest Well, what do you mean when say greatest? I think that this neighborhood is safe, that is important. If you change your mind,
Hotels close to the embassy:
- Hotel QP (almost free)
- Hotel de la Feria
- Four Points Hotel by Sheraton
- Hotel la Embajada.

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ewonder says on Aug 20, 2004, 05:40:

Area surrounding the U.S. Embassy Camaleon, I guess what I meant by "not the greatest" neighborhood was whether it was considered unsafe at night or or not. I have been all over the World and stayed in areas where the locals are not well liked, mainly Americans. I do not want to speculate on any sections of Bogota, I think one of the posts I read said the area surrounding the Embassy was in their opinion "unsafe". I would imagine there is more Police and security in this area so I am not concerened. I like the idea of being close to Nightlife and Malls and any other attractions. My Fiance is happy staying at the Hotel but I prefer to explore. She told me Bogota is dangerous, but from what I now know I have to disagree.

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