Before landing in Medellín, I was looking for accommodation that could combine style with a little rustic charm – it was my first visit to South America and I wanted to treat myself. I soon came across Celestino Boutique Hotel, which only opened on December 17 of last year, and immediately, its polished design, prime location, and effortlessly cool vibe appealed to me.
I also discovered that Celestino is the latest project from Casacol (a Colombian-based property manager and real estate adviser in Medellín), a company fellow ex-pats had already recommended to me, so I knew the hotel would be to the high standard I wanted. I booked for two nights and packed my bags ready to settle into Colombia and my new home away from home.
The ambience
When I arrived at Celestino, admittedly tired and a little grumpy, my mood was immediately lifted. The reception was beautiful: the marble desk and emerald green, satin sofas in the entrance hallways gave off an air of modernity, while the plants and painted leaves on the walls made me think of Medellín’s famous biodiversity. Not to mention, the impeccable cleanliness was a pleasant indication of the quality of the room I was yet to see, while the plants added a soft and fashionable touch.
I was greeted by the exceptionally welcoming staff members, who luckily for me both, spoke both English and Spanish. They also gave me a map of the area with recommendations of where to eat and how to get around, as well as offering suggestions about tours and attractions in Medellín. The staff then kindly took my bags and escorted to me to my room.
The rooms
Even from the outside of the room, I knew I was going to be impressed. The polished wooden door displayed my room number in spotless gold numbers, and as it swung open, I let out an audible “Wow.” The room had all the lush green beauty of the outdoors, combined with the sleek modern facilities of the type of upscale accommodation I had hoped for. With a blend of natural earth colors and a splash of gold-plated electrics, the room seemed glamorous and equally comfortable.
There are four room types at the Celestino Boutique Hotel: a standard double room, a king room, a king room with a balcony and a king room with a mountain view; I opted for the latter, in an attempt to make my introduction to Medellín, a memorable one.
My room came with a with a spacious balcony, organized with two chairs and a small table, looking over a tropical-esque canopy and the vibrant energy of Poblado below. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the best part. I could also clearly see the outline of mountains in the distance during the day, and come nightfall, I watched the Medellín hills illuminate all around me. The balcony was undoubtedly worth the extra cost for the constant Instagram-worthy views.
The open dynamics of the room could easily accommodate two people, but luckily for me, I had the place to myself. The soft lighting accentuated the suave interior in the room, making everything about the space feel cozy. There was also a desk for when I needed to catch up on freelance projects or plan my travel route for the day, plus air conditioning (which I was extremely grateful for when the City of Eternal Spring crept into summer temperatures). There was additionally a cushioned bench for extra seating, a flat-screen TV, a floor-length mirror and carefully-placed plants that echoed the jardín (garden) theme of the hotel.
Tucked in the corner of my room, I had a private bathroom, including an in-room shower designed with white tiling and a chic black, cubed doorframe. Separately, sat a washing space with a sink and mirror, plus free toiletries which I used to refresh at the end of a long day.
The small details in my bedroom created an added sense of care and luxury – from the gold leaves painted on the headboard of the bed to the artwork reminiscent of the world’s tallest palm trees found in Salento, in Colombia’s coffee region, the room felt more like an exotic home than a hotel. Oh, and the bed. The extra-large double bed came with plenty of pillows and has been highly rated by guests online – something I can thoroughly agree with.
The amenities
Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel, so I stayed connected with friends and family back home, as well as worked in confidence knowing the connection was strong and reliable. Outside of my room, I was invited to use the rooftop jacuzzi – an incredible experience for anyone new or familiar to Medellín. With comparable sights to those from my balcony, views from the rooftop stretched over the Poblado skyline. Taking a dip in the hot, bubbling jacuzzi as the steam danced underneath the starry sky was certainly a highlight of my time at Celestino.
For when I worked up an appetite, down on the first floor of the building, the restaurant, Azul Selva, served up homemade, fresh dishes for breakfast and lunch – great for when I woke up early and wanted to launch into my day plans. Meanwhile, the 24-hour reception ensured that assistance was always available, while the elevator meant I could reach the rooftop and carry my bags around with ease. The hotel equally has safety deposit boxes for storing valuables.
The location
Not only is Celestino Boutique Hotel a fantastic place to stay, it’s also located in the popular neighborhood of El Poblado with access to many sights, experiences, and stores. Poblado (as it’s commonly referred to) sits in the south of Medellín and is a hotspot for travelers in the city – the reason why I wanted to stay there. There’s a wide selection of restaurants ranging from casual to fine-dining, along with an impressive collection of swanky bars and reggaetón clubs. I regularly thought to myself during my stay, that Poblado is the perfect blend of authentically Colombian with international influences.
Celestino is nestled away in Provenza on Via Primavera (translated as ‘spring way’), a colorful street lined with trees and cafes. I definitely recommend devoting a few hours to people-watching from a café patio while sipping on a cup of Colombia’s finest coffee – Pergamino, in particular, has delicious brews.
Quite literally around the corner, I found Parque Lleras – the famous heart of Poblado everybody had told me about before coming to Medellín. The square was relatively busy in the daytime with locals selling artwork and hammocks, and travelers picking up souvenirs from the boutique shops, but the night was when the area really came to life. People spilled out all over the streets while everything from salsa to house music blared from fancy-looking bars. If you’re visiting Medellín, this is the place to go for a night out.
When I wanted to venture out beyond Poblado, the hotel was only a 15-minute walk down the main street (Calle 10) to the Poblado metro station, where I could take the train to spots like Plaza Botero, Parque Arví, Comuna 13 and Casa de la Memoria. Taxi services run throughout the city too, and Celestino staff were more than happy to arrange these journeys for me when I was feeling tired.
What makes Celestino Boutique Hotel so unique is that it encompasses the energy and progression of the city of Medellín as a whole. Every element of the hotel has been put together with care and consideration, while at the same time, the abundant green colors form a wildness that resonates with the adventure spirit of most guests (myself included). To share cultures, memories, and happiness, book a stay at Celestino Boutique Hotel and begin exploring the real Colombia.
If you want to visit Medellin and are looking for cheap flights click here!
Address: Carrera 37 # 8 A 60 Via Primavera, Medellín, Antioquia
Phone: (+57) 301 4529320 (Click to start a WhatsApp conversation)
Check in: 3 pm onwards Check out: Until 12 pm
Social Media:
Instagram: @celestinoboutique
Facebook: Celestino Boutique Hotel
Sounds like a great place to stay. What was your nightly rate?
Hi Rod!
We recommend you to send an email to celestino@casacol.co with the dates that interest you so they can provide you the exact rates.
Greetings!