“Great place for a quick stop”

We arrived after midnight and they thought our reservation had been cancelled. I had my email confirmation and waited patiently. Eventually they placed us in what is probably their administration room (two twin beds and no number on the room). We were moved into another room in the morning. They w… more

We arrived after midnight and they thought our reservation had been cancelled. I had my email confirmation and waited patiently. Eventually they placed us in what is probably their administration room (two twin beds and no number on the room). We were moved into another room in the morning. They were gracious. I appreciated not needing to look for a hotel at midnight. Breakfast was just okay the first day and really good the second. Our aircon and shower were fine. They arranged transportation for us to Cartagena. I would stay there again.

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“Well-appointed, peaceful and spacious room with desk and fast Wi-Fi. Good breakfast. Nice park nearby.”

I stayed here for 1 night during my solo bicycle tour through Colombia. In order to obtain a better idea of local accommodation standards and costs, I waited 3 weeks into my bike tour (after staying in 15+ hotels) before writing this review, which I am doing in Tunja. I speak Spanish and was theref… more

I stayed here for 1 night during my solo bicycle tour through Colombia. In order to obtain a better idea of local accommodation standards and costs, I waited 3 weeks into my bike tour (after staying in 15+ hotels) before writing this review, which I am doing in Tunja. I speak Spanish and was therefore able to communicate well with my host(s). Pluses The hotel was mid-range and well constructed. My room, #202, had good reliable in-room Wi-Fi, a sizable table and chair, and quiet, effective A/C. It was well-appointed, peaceful and spacious. The hotel provided free drinking water. I did not use the flat-screen TV. I particularly enjoyed spending several hours in the afternoon at the festive park 100 m away. This had soothing plants, shady places to sit, and lots of exuberant kids providing free entertainment for the older folk. I watched a basketball game played by handicapped folk in wheelchairs, which turned out to be quite exciting. The local folk were welcoming and fun to talk to (but for this one needed Spanish). The batman Jorge was a great help, and not only assisted with carrying my bike and trailer upstairs but also collected up all my empty water bottles (I was drinking 6 liters/day in this hot weather) and returned with these filled. The next morning I was ready to depart at 05h45, in order to avoid the worst of the heat and traffic. Breakfast did not open officially until 06h30. On an impulse I decided to ask if they perhaps had coffee ready. The young man at the front desk was more friendly than the guy the previoius night. He said, go ahead and enjoy fruit, coffee, cereals and everything. He apologized that the hot breakfast would not be ready until 06h30. I was delighted and told him that I was a vegetarian and seldom ate hot breakfasts. I enjoyed a good breakfast in the empty dining room. Minuses A small refrigerator would have been nice. These have been fairly common in my other hotels, at prices 60k and above. When I checked in, the young man at the front desk (Jason?) was not particularly friendly. When I explained (In Spanish) that good Wi-Fi was essential and asked if I could please test it with my laptop, he refused, saying “trust us”. His was the only such refusal I have received in my trip so far. When I said that I would then look for another hotel, he relented and had the batman Jorge show me to room 202, which was up 1 flight of stairs. It took me only 5 minutes to discover that their Wi-Fi worked great, so I checked in. Summary In the center of a big city and with a hot and cold breakfast, the room was good value at 90 k COP (about USD 32). I would stay there again. For me it was a good location, although cycling in along hiway 90A from Cartagena would have been stressful during rush hour. (I arrived around 14h00 and it was just OK). Likewise, I left fairly early (06h00) en route to Cienaga. Traffic was already building. Don’t leave much later on a bicycle! The nearby park was a great place to visit. Note: before asking the price, check for a last-minute deal on Booking.com. (This assumes one hasn’t already booked a room, which hasn’t so far been necessary). I have had 3G service everywhere so far, on my T-Mobile US smartphone. The front desk wanted 110k but honored Booking’s price. They acknowledged that had I made the reservation with Booking it would have cost them 10-15% commission. My rating: 4/5. Location as measured with my GPS: 10.994088, -74.803054

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“Hotel Linda NOPE”

i booked my hotel via the internet at Hotel Linda. I've stayed here before and love this hotel. It’s small and the room temperature never gets quite right but the people who work there and the ambiance of the hotel. Hotel Linda will always be my first choice. however when I arrived I was met outsid… more

i booked my hotel via the internet at Hotel Linda. I've stayed here before and love this hotel. It’s small and the room temperature never gets quite right but the people who work there and the ambiance of the hotel. Hotel Linda will always be my first choice. however when I arrived I was met outside and was told overbooked your reservation has been moved to the howard Johnson. now the room at the ho jo was nice and the staff was just as nice BUT i didn't choose the ho jo. i wanted to stay in a place that wasn't a chain. i wanted to stay somewhere that says hey this is Baranquilla....

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