Suites Real 85 or 97 in BOG

droble77 says on Aug 20, 2007, 13:43:

My buddy from TX is in Bogota now for another 4-5 weeks. I can escape from work for about a week in mid-september to hang out with him, which is why I'm asking. I've already got the plane ticket, just got to finalize accommodations.

I will not crash with him however, because he is just a little too crazy, too much of a party animal for me. That's why I'm asking. :0)

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gabolicious says on Aug 20, 2007, 13:46:

droble77 do you speak spanish? cause I know a reliable taxi driver but does not speak english..

regarding the apartahotel you are asking for i have heard some stories regarding check in... that they sometimes change your reservation to the "other" suites Real.

But I personally have not been there

Elección no canonización....

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Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 20, 2007, 13:59:

I have a friend who stays there all the time. He prefers the one on 97 but they're both fine.

With regard to the price, bear in mind that it's an apartment, not just a hotel room.

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gabolicious says on Aug 20, 2007, 14:03:

Mr Hollywood you are right it is an apartment not just a hotel room

Elección no canonización....

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nine inch nails says on Aug 20, 2007, 14:11:

I think you get a discount for staying a full week or longer. I always asked for taxis from the Hotel and had no problems. When returning from Montserrate during the day found this funny old guy who was great. Also from the shopping centers they have taxi stands. No problems for me in Bogota but I always play it as safe as possible. Only scare was one night on the main street outside the 97 thought this tall guy in a sweatshirt was going to pull a gun or something but think I saw him the next day and he was just a normal resident. There was also an armed security at the pizza place near where I encountered this guy.

General rule if you are by yourself: only go where you see others in main areas with lighting and open stores, restuarants etc. (no back alleys or sidestreets). My tour guide took me by this are south of the red zone and he called it the black zone. He wouldn't even go there.

In general felt safe in the 97 area and parque 93 (very nice area). If you want to take some cool tours ask SR97 for Jaro. He looks like a miniature Jack Nicholson and is a good guy.

The Hedge funds have all gone wild on us!

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droble77 says on Aug 20, 2007, 14:27:

gabolicious,

I speak fluent spanish; if you can PM the # of your driver, I would really appreciate it. If I run into you there, first bottle of rum is on me! :0)

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scotty says on Aug 20, 2007, 14:31:

Hi droble77, last time i was in Bogota i stayed at the Real 85 and it was very nice. The rates are very reasonable, nice neighborhood, good food, clean comfortable rooms, and a very nice and professional staff.
I highly recommend it.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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gabolicious says on Aug 20, 2007, 14:33:

ok droble77 I don't have the number with me right now, but i'll get today during the day... and I'll let you know his number.

droble I would like to invite you some aguardiente down there, but I am in Mexico right now and will return to Bogota in October... should you happen to be there by then... it's a deal dude we will get some rum!!!

Elección no canonización....

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podborski says on Aug 20, 2007, 15:16:

I've stayed there or close by many times, it's about as safe as it gets. I have stumbled home from zona rosa or parque 93 about a hundred times, late at night, alone, never had a problem.

That doesn't mean it's perfectly safe, I might just be lucky.

It's also close to the transmilenio (Virrey) if you don't want to take taxis, and collectivos are all over.

It's not cheap, but nothing is in that area any more.

They have a very bad reputation for not keeping reservations, and I had to call 3 times to ensure they had mine, each time I called they acted like they never heard of me before, despite having an email confirmation. Make sure you call to confirm and get a name.

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RUV says on Aug 20, 2007, 18:06:

I have at the Suite Real 85 three times. They people running it are nice.

The decor is a flash back to the 70s, but nice layout. It is an apartment home more then a hotel. One bed room has a kitchen and small sitting area, then a seperate bedroom with large bed. Nice bathrooms. I would stay here again.

Nice location, chicken fast food resturant across the street that delivers. A super market around back. Clubs located within 5 min walking distance. IYou can take the transmillo it located around 10 to 15 minutes away. I would not do it at night though. It seems like a safe enough area. The only internet connection is in the office of the manager and she will let you use it. It is very slow. No internet option in the rooms.

Caution, they are horrible at getting back via email. They also lost my reservation on one trip. I was lucky that it was not sold out, so I could get a room. I really got on them for this. This also happend to others on this board as well. Have your buddy confirm it.

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podborski says on Aug 20, 2007, 18:59:

they have wifi now, I used it my last trip, July 2007

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 20, 2007, 20:03:

I stay at the 85 when I am in Bogota. What everybody said above is correct. Very accommodating staff. Free wifi, 2 room suites, hot water. Dated, but very clean and comfortable. And if you are fluent in Spanish, I woudn't hesitate to just get a cab that is in front of the Carulla supermarket around the corner. There is a Davivienda bank branch on the corner with lots of ATMs. There is a little restaraunt 100 yards away where all the local professionals go for lunch (very cheap and excellent food). It is a very safe area, and I would advise the same precautions as you would take in any US city. But nothing out of the ordinary. Ironically, the only time I got ripped off in Colombia, was from a taxi driver that was called by the hotel. jajaja It wasn't the hotel's fault. The driver took off with a 20.000 mil note when we had to unload some suitcases at my wife's sisters apartment. Oh, and the cool thing about the hotel, it is VERY quiet. No traffic noise.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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scotty says on Aug 20, 2007, 20:23:

RJ, yup you are discribing it to a T.
Also inside the super market they have a money exchange booth that gives great exchange rates, i think the booth is open 9:00 to 6:00
Also in the big court yard out in front of the super market they have an outdoor market I think on Saturdays or Sundays with all kinds of vendors out there, some interesting Colombian items for sale.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2007, 00:42:

Yep, the courtyard is like a little flea market. Here is a pic ... though you can't see the vendors.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2007, 00:47:

Carulla is seen to the right ... has the money exchange (cambio) according to the above poster. The picture was taken within 60 seconds of walking out of the Suites Real 85.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 01:16:

Damn that brings back memories! thanks for the photo RJ .yup, RJ you got it dude, theres the supermarket and the money exchange and yes you are correct, just to the right of the two lovely chicas about 40 or 50 steps is the Suites Real 85.
Also to the left of the chicas across the street is a excellent roasted chicken take out place. Also up in the left corner by the yellow car, down that street (cant remember the name) are a whole bunch of restaruants with really good food.
thanks again for the photo.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 01:21:

Hey RJ, isnt there a little park and some shops and some more small restaruants just around the corner from the supermarket?

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 01:26:

Mr Hollywood is right its set up like an apartment with a separate bedroom and a small living room and a kitchenette with a small frig and sink and cupboards and a small dining table. actually its a pretty nice set up. they also bring a brunch to your room every morning (toast and jam, fruit, coffee, juice, all fresh and tasty) a pretty good set up.
they have a clean quiet lobby area.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2007, 01:35:

I never had the breakfast treatment ... guess I missed out! Yep, if you continue to walk past that Carulla, go right, there is a little park. I bought some great chorizos from street vendors there. Actually, though you can't see it, directly to the right of the picture, there is a little executive restaraunt where you can get a huge meal for $3 US.

Suites Real 85 was recommended to me by Ton Loc ... haven't seen him here for a while ... about a year ago. So, I went on a fellow PBH member's recommendation, and I will say it was a good recommendation and recommend the same place myself.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 01:53:

Im think on the breakfast thing you have to request it and they only serve it between certain hours , i think it was 7:00 - 9:00, or 7:00 and 8:00.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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RUV says on Aug 21, 2007, 08:01:

Scotty,

I think it is from 7-10. There are two breakfast the bread and juice is free the other one with eggs they charge. You are right you have to call. At least that is how it was when I went. That was the pre wifi setup.

Nice pictures. You can notice the weather difference by looking at the picture. The girls in Cali would be displaying more skin. The picture brings back some good memories.

Good luck.

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 21, 2007, 12:17:

I will never forget the experience, that was my first trip to Villavicencio. The first day in Colombia, was in Bogota. I was freezing. The second day, we took a van to Villavo. It was at night, the windows were up and the AC on. When we stopped and the doors opened, it was like opening an oven door. The difference in weather from those 2 cities, that are relatively close to each other, is incredible.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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droble77 says on Aug 21, 2007, 13:26:

Wow. This is a lot more useful info and tips than I expected. Thanks again guys. . .

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SFJohn says on Aug 21, 2007, 15:09:

I stayed at Suites 85 last month for over two weeks and it was great for me. The weekly rate was 820,000 COP, and that includes tax and breakfast. You order the breakfast by phone every morning, and they bring it to your room. Very good.

I would see if you can get a unit on a higher floor, and check to see if it smells like an ashtray. My first unit was really smokey, but luckily they were able to move me to another. Suites 85 does advertise having WiFi, but it didn't work for me. I was able to use another computer down in their office, and I met some other guests there who were having the same problem.

As other people have said, the location of Suites 85 is very good. It was perfect for me since I could walk one direction to Zona Rosa, and the other direction to the Calle 85 Transmilenio station.

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scotty says on Aug 21, 2007, 15:21:

SF John, thats some good advice, you are right, the top foors are quieter away from traffic and other noise, plus its a better view the higher you go.
You are also right about checking for ashtray smell as the hotel does allow smoking. Some rooms have a bit of a ash tray smell but others dont. I checked three rooms until i found the one that did not have the smell and it was just fine.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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