Verified review
8/10 Very good
Gerard
Sep 7, 2024
I arrived in Popayan expecting to be picked up and driven to my home 30km away in Piendamo. Unfortunately, a strike was blocking the highway, so I needed a place to stay. This has happened before, and I know the hotel options in Popayan--a few luxury hotels, more than a few corporate business hotels, and many smaller hotels of varying quality. I had previously stayed at Hotel Alcayatal and had a very positive experience. I saw Hotel Alcayatal Colonial listed, with good reviews and location, and booked a single room around 11:30 am. I went to a restaurant downstairs, had lunch, and then checked in upstairs at 2 pm. The staff was helpful at every point of my stay. The hotel is in an old colonial building a block from the main city park, clean, well run, close to many interesting buildings, the university, small shops of all sorts, and many restaurants. I ended up staying two days and nights. Many rooms have small balconies (mine did not). My room was basic--a firm bed, a desk, a chair, a tv, a small shelf under which clothes could be hung, and a bathroom with hot shower. Free wifi and breakfast are provided. Rooms have exterior and interior windows, carved wood transoms over the doors, wood floors and doors. Furnishings are simple and inexpensive. Room price was excellent. Breakfast was simple and the food fresh. I shopped at a crafts fair in front of the hotel, enjoyed a food festival in the park, took photos of the old buildings. For a surprise stay, it was perfect. Gracias!