When you’re a travel writer, people constantly ask you for hotel recommendations. Luckily, giving good advice is usually not that difficult, I’ve personally visited most major Latin American cities recently, or else I know someone who has.
Recommendations about boutique hotels and independent hotels are especially important, since every property is, by nature, unique. From personal experience, extensive research and lots of recommendations, LatinFlyer.com hereby presents its first-ever list of 10 of the most noteworthy urban boutique hotels in Latin America today. So if staying stylish is on your itinerary for that next Latin America vacation or business trip, consider checking into one of these 10 hotels:
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Faena Hotel Buenos Aires: Designed by Philippe Starck, this Argentina hotel is set in a century-old former warehouse in the waterfront neighborhood of Puerto Madero. Dramatically lit and sumptuously furnished, the hotel — a member of Leading Hotels of the World — is a place to indulge the senses, and the tango parlor provides an excellent show.
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Bogota, Colombia
Click Clack: B.O.G. may garner lots of great reviews, but Click Clack provides a more reasonably priced — yet still very stylish — option in Colombia‘s capital. Felipe Mesa of Plan B Arquitectos collaborated with other designers to create the Scandinavian interiors with art exhibits, floor-to-ceiling windows and a rooftop restaurant.
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Lima, Peru
Hotel B: The fact that this hotel is the only member of Relais & Chateaux in Peru‘s capital says a lot about what you can expect — namely, exquisite service and elegant decor in a Bell Epoque-style historic building in the artsy Barranco district.
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Mexico City, Mexico
Grupo Habita: This is one case where it’s necessary to name an entire group, rather than one single hotel. Mexico‘s largest purveyor of stylish accommodations operates several noteworthy properties in Mexico City. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful stay at the cool-yet-relaxing Condesa DF, located in the chic Condesa district, while the newest property is Downtown, located in a gorgeously restored former residence in the historic city center.
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Quito, Ecuador
Le Parc Hotel: Ecuador’s capital may be known for its historic downtown, but Le Parc casts a lovely contrast. Sleek and contemporary, Le Parc Hotel Boutique uses lots of clean white decor — as well as features like bathtubs next to some of the beds — to create a decidedly modern ambiance, within walking distance of Parque Carolina on of the biggest parks in Ecuador‘s capital.
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Panama City, Panama
Las Clementinas: Panama City has experienced an unprecedented boom in hotel construction in recent years, but Las Clementinas continues to hold its own as one of the finest hotels in the historic Casco Antiguo district of Panama‘s capital. Set in a lovingly renovated former apartment building that dates to the 1930s, Las Clementinas blends traditional and contemporary style in a comfortable, unobtrusive way, with both antique and modern furnishings and decor elements — and each suite feels like a private apartment. (Read my full review of Las Clementinas here; the hotel was named one of the 10 Best Hotels in Panama City this year by LatinFlyer.com.)
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fasano Hotel: Rio de Janeiro doesn’t have a lot of chic boutique hotels, but the Fasano would likely be at the top of the list even if it did. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the Fasano offers lots of style in the always-stylish Ipanema district, as well as a great rooftop deck. With the 2014 World Cup coming up soon, this will likely be where some of the best-dressed spectators from Brazil and abroad will check in.
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San Juan, Puerto Rico
Olive Boutique Hotel: A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Olive Boutique Hotel brings a breathe of elegantly fresh air to the beachfront Condado district in Puerto Rico‘s capital, with its handsomely appointed guest rooms, excellent restaurant and rooftop deck. (Read my full review of Olive Boutique Hotel here.)
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Santiago de Chile
The Aubrey: It’s appeared on the lists of Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic and other publications, and with good reason. Set in a beautifully restored 1920s mansion, the property offers wonderful service and beautifully furnished rooms, each of which is different from the rest. It was one of the first properties to bring unique, upscale style to Chile‘s capital in recent years.
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Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hotel Unique: It’s hard to miss the eye-catching architecture of this hotel, which some say resembles a gigantic slice of watermelon. But the style inside is just as impressive, with clean lines and decor, and a rooftop bar and restaurant with commanding views of Brazil‘s largest city.
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