The Boato Hotel

The Boato Hotel, Guatapé: A Michelin Key Selected Escape with Breathtaking Views

The Boato Hotel in Guatapé stands out as a "Michelin Key Selected" property, signifying a high-quality stay. Guests consistently praise its stunning lake views, tranquil ambiance, and exceptional service, making it a highly recommended destination for those seeking an "eco-luxe" experience amidst nature.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Boato Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with a "Wonderful" to "Superb" rating, scoring around 9.0 to 9.1 on platforms like Booking.com. Guests frequently use words like "stunning," "beautiful," "exceptional," and "perfect escape" to describe their stays, highlighting a sentiment of deep satisfaction and a strong desire to return. The staff consistently receives the highest marks for their hospitality.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of The Boato Hotel:

• Location & Views: The private cabins offer "stunning views of the lake" and a "beautiful scenery" that immerse guests in nature. The secluded setting provides a sense of tranquility.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel embraces an "eco-luxe idiom" with private, suite-style accommodations ("lares") featuring weathered wood, glass, and metal accents. The design emphasizes harmony with the natural surroundings.
• Amenities & Activities: Each "lar" comes with a private furnished viewing deck, often including a jacuzzi and a fire pit, along with a complimentary kayak and paddleboard for enjoying the reservoir. Other facilities include a private beach area, sun terrace, and water sports. Nightly bonfires are a popular highlight.
• Service & Staff: The staff is frequently described as "amazing," "genuine, kind and friendly," "attentive," and "incredibly friendly," going "above and beyond with service". Their helpfulness in organizing activities and transportation is often noted.

3. Room Quality

The rooms, referred to as "lares" or cabins, are consistently described as luxurious, spacious, clean, and comfortable. They feature private balconies, terraces, or garden/mountain views. Key features include:

• Comfort: Guests highlight "luxurious" and "softest sheets and comforter" for a high-quality sleeping experience. Beds and pillows are noted as comfortable.
• Design & Amenities: The cabins boast "lots of glass" to maximize the views and often include a private hot tub/jacuzzi, a kitchenette, and modern amenities. Some rooms can accommodate families or groups of up to six people.
• Privacy: The suite-style accommodations offer a strong sense of privacy, allowing guests their "own little place".

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant receives positive feedback for its quality. Guests have described the food as "very very good" and "amazing," with some choosing to eat dinner at the hotel every night. The restaurant offers a diverse menu including Italian, Middle Eastern, pizza, Asian, and barbecue grill cuisines. Breakfast is included and available in-room, with vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options provided. While generally praised, one review mentioned the food being "basic but tasty".

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Boato Hotel is a standout feature, consistently receiving the highest ratings (around 9.5). Staff are lauded for being "polite and helpful," "attentive and skilled," "accommodating and efficient," and providing "top-notch" attention. Many guests emphasize the staff's efforts to go "above and beyond". Communication is generally good, though one reviewer noted potential challenges if not speaking Spanish.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Boato Hotel is situated on Vereda Palestina in Guatapé, nestled "about halfway between the two namesake towns on Colombia's Peñol-Guatapé reservoir". This prime location offers scenic and secluded views of the lake.

• Attractions: It's located approximately 3.1 miles (5 km) from Piedra del Peñol (Rock of Guatapé), a popular attraction.
• Transport: While secluded, the staff is helpful in organizing "tuktuks into town" and can arrange jet skis or boat rentals. The hotel offers free parking and an airport shuttle. José María Córdova International Airport is about 22 miles away.
• Accessibility Note: The property is described as "quite hilly," which might be a consideration for guests with mobility issues.

7. Value & Pricing

The hotel generally scores well on value for money (around 8.9). While specific price ranges vary, guests feel it is worth the cost for the experience provided. One review, however, did mention the food being "overpriced". The inclusion of amenities like kayaks and paddleboards with the room fee adds to the perceived value.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring criticisms or issues have been noted:

• Hilly Terrain: The hotel's hilly nature might be challenging for some guests.
• Noise from Party Boats: Occasionally, "party boats passing by during the day and at night can be a disturbance".
• Food Pricing (Minor): One guest felt the food was "overpriced".
• Service Speed/Communication (Isolated): Isolated incidents of slow service or communication challenges for non-Spanish speakers were mentioned.
• Bathroom Privacy: One reviewer noted that the "bathroom isn't fully separated from the bedroom," which is worth being aware of.
• Jacuzzi Issues (Isolated): One guest reported a broken jacuzzi on the first night, though it was fixed promptly the next day.
• Fireplace Issue (Isolated): One guest was disappointed when the promised firewood for their room's fireplace was not lit.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. michelin.com
5. booking.com
6. michelin.com
7. boatohotel.com
8. expedia.com