I was in Colombia in March to visit a former student living and working there. When I told her I had booked at Casa Legado after seeing it listed in an email with mention of a new design hotel in Bogota, I was thrilled to find out that this was the same hotel she was going to recommend to me after passing it on the street during a walk: an auspicious beginning to what turned out to be two perfect visits to Casa Legado in March, the first time for four nights and the second a time single night before flying home to New York.
I had great feelings about this hotel before I arrived, and my five days there confirmed those feeling in every way. Let’s start with the location in one of the best and most interesting neighborhoods in Bogota—Quinta Camacho with its brick, English style homes on tree-lined blocks filled with interesting restaurants and near to Chapinero, another really fun neighborhood.
From the very warm greeting upon my arrival to the very comfortable, stylish rooms in which every need has been considered to the delicious breakfast in which any request is never too much to the interesting people I met, both guests and the hotel team alike, I felt truly at home and extraordinarily well-taken of. And all of the other guests whom I came into contact with felt the same way—incredibly privileged to have found this hidden gem discreetly tucked into a quiet side street. From arrival to departure both stays, the team could not do enough to make me happy, full, and safe. My questions about new restaurants and interesting activities were easily answered. When I returned each evening from my various adventures around Bogota, I felt like I was returning to my own house.
What really sent my visit from perfect to extraordinary was going to bed the first night and find a cozy hot water bottle in my bed, the sheets warmed by the bottle, and the bottle staying perfectly warm throughout the night, the perfect accompaniment to Bogota’s cold nights. What a great touch! Something unexpected and unnecessary, but truly memorable.
A special thank you goes to Helena, the owner, who has created this extraordinary chic travel environment and who has assembled a team of such warm, welcoming, hard-working individuals who could never do enough to make my stay even better than perfect.
I cannot wait to return to Casa Legado, not only to see more of Bogota, but also to stay in one of my new favorite hotels. As the Colombians like to say, que divino, and Casa Legado is truly divine.
