Cali Marriott Hotel

Nice Hotel, good breakfast buffet. Service was really good. Club level not worth it.

Cali is one of Colombia’s “forgotten cities” that gets some attention for its medical tourism offer, its salsa dancing… but has also had setbacks in the past few of decades. And so, it has been a tough process to get the hospitality scene to a high standard. But it’s happening. Cali’s top 20 restaurants could easily out-do top spots in the US and in European countries… and at a fraction of the cost. The Cali Marriott is a top choice for me. There are other chain properties in the area, but they are not quite at the same level. There are also many boutique hotels to choose from and a couple are special, but you are not always guaranteed a quiet night, for sound sleep. The Cali Marriott has attractive common areas in the lobby, especially The Market, which offers a very good breakfast, with lot’s of local fare, including typical yucca-based breads (almohabanas, pandebonos, buñuelos), corn arepas, delicious fruit (granadilla, pitaya, papaya), and SO much more. On the 3rd floor there is a spa area with a surprisingly good gym (that actually has windows and natural light… and a Nikken water dispenser, etc). On the eighth floor there is an ample business lounge with attractive outdoor areas. When choosing room category, know that the standard rooms have a relatively small bathroom with a “tub-shower” that has a curtain. This is not common in modern Marriott (4 or 5-star) properties; it is more typical of Courtyard or Four Points… so this was not at the expected standard. However, the suites have a nice, large tub and a separate shower, with a glass door — in addition to the separate sitting area, that can sleep 1 or 2 more. There is a Jr. Suite that has an additional half-bathroom (toilet and sink). Sound buffering from the outside is good, thanks to double windows. Sound buffering from the hallway or adjacent rooms is OK, at best. Bathroom / Mirror illumination is low. There were several issues with regard to personal preference requests for the room and also with AC units that forever cool on the ON setting, turning the room into a fridge. They resolved this for me. The staff is great… everyone we have met, at any department. Overall, this is probably the best hotel in the city.

People working at the front desk was great. Fast check-in and fast check out. I ate a couple of times at the hotel. Avoid eating at the hotel. The food was not good. The drinks at the hotel bar were pretty good. People working at the hotel were very friendly. The hotel pool was very cold. The whole pool area was blocked from the sun. The executive lounge was very bad. There's not much in there. few soda and water. Few nuts . And coffee machine. No evening snack or food was offered. The location was good. You could walk to most of the area.