FIRENZE LOFTS LAURELES MEDELLIN ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA

PERFECT BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH FULL KITCHEN NEAR TRANSIT

My suggestions on things to do while staying at Firenze Lofts:

Take a waterfall tour of nearby Barbosa.

Ride a bus from Terminal Norte to the upscale colonial town of Retiro -- then catch a ride to Tequendamita waterfall.

Walk to all the restaurants and dessert shops of Premier Parque Laureles and Segundo Parque Laureles.

Go to the historic center for the world class Museo Antioquia traditional art museum.

Check out Botero Plaza outside it.

Walk among the thousands of street vendors and mom and pop clothing shops.

Catch live music at El Club Del Jazz -- Colombia's only jazz club.

Take a rideshare home, as the emerging area is sketchy after dark.

Eat bandeja paisa at Hacienda Junin downtown.

Support homeless cats with a gourmet pizza at Gatelier near the Floresta Metro Train station.

FIRENZE LOFTS LAURELES MEDELLIN ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA

PERFECT BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH FULL KITCHEN NEAR TRANSIT

Firenze Lofts’ free breakfast is at a property a block away.

As it is served 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m., I was unable to take my meal there due to travel plans at dawn.

I contacted the property through WhatsApp, and it had a breakfast meal tucked into my room’s full-sized fridge the night before.

When I rose well before 6 a.m., I could re-heat it on the stove or in the microwave, along with the juice from the restaurant and coffee in the room.

The staff speaks limited English (I speak pretty good Spanish) so the WhatsApp was a perfect communications means, because staff could feed my requests and questions into a translate app.

All of my requests, including no maid service, were honored.

I walked to a half dozen excellent restaurants in the wonderful and safe Laureles neighborhood.

FIRENZE LOFTS LAURELES MEDELLIN ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA

PERFECT BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH FULL KITCHEN NEAR TRANSIT

Firenze Lofts is in Laureles -- an upper middle class area that is super flat and walkable -- compared to other areas of hilly Medellin.

They always try to steer anglos to Poblado.

I think this location is 10 times nicer and more authentic.

I loved walking less than 15 minutes to the inexpensive elevated Metro train.

One electronic card can be used for the trains, trams, gondola cars to the upper hills and endless city buses.

Firenze Lofts is in a green, leafy area next to a small waterway.

The staff is amazing at this hotel.

I asked quite a few questions before I arrived – including my standard request of getting a room farthest from the elevator (because people are noisy coming off of them, even at upscale properties) and it was honored.

FIRENZE LOFTS LAURELES MEDELLIN ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA

PERFECT BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH FULL KITCHEN NEAR TRANSIT

Firenze Lofts’ only small drawback is the unit available when I booked comes with two twin beds -- and they cannot bring in a full-sized bed.

As I travel solo, I am used to a king or queen bed -- not a pair of twins. A twin bed is somewhat small for a grown-up.

But the property more than made up for it with a well-equipped room with tons of outlets, lighting options and a powerful AC unit.

FIRENZE LOFTS LAURELES MEDELLIN ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA

PERFECT BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH FULL KITCHEN NEAR TRANSIT

The Firenze Lofts kitchen is bigger and more modern than what I have in my full-sized house.

Same goes for the bathroom -- clean, modern, spacious with plenty of hot water in the big shower.

The elevator works fine and I never heard any noise from guests.

The unit comes with a large, private balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRENZE LOFTS LAURELES MEDELLIN ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA

PERFECT BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH FULL KITCHEN NEAR TRANSIT

Firenze Lofts is exactly what I want in a property -- small enough to get personal service, but large enough to a super professional staff.

It is one of the greatest price points for quality returned -- that I have ever experienced.

The units are the size of a studio apartment.

The staff is on duty 24 hours and each team member works hard to ensure that you have a tranquil and comfortable stay.

PARADISE ON EARTH FROM A SAFE AND BRILLIANT GUIDE

THREE BARBOSA WATERFALLS IN ONE DAY TOUR FROM MEDELLIN

I hope the local, regional and national government of Colombia supports the Barbosa three waterfalls tour and its kind of world class eco-tourism with marketing and other support.

Barbosa is a magical place.

With proper restrictions – to control overdevelopment and ensure there is not overtourism – this area should be unlocked for those who respect nature and appreciate unique local experiences.

I cannot wait to come back.

 

 

PARADISE ON EARTH FROM A SAFE AND BRILLIANT GUIDE

THREE BARBOSA WATERFALLS IN ONE DAY TOUR FROM MEDELLIN

Some thoughts on safety.

Yes, Pablo Escobar held Medellin and Colombia hostage for more than a decade.

And certainly, the FARC and other groups aiming for revolution have done bad things.

But during a week in the center of Medellin and two days in the countryside – I felt as safe as anywhere in America.

When you think about how dangerous our driving is and how we do nothing in the U.S. to curb gun violence – I think Colombia has rapidly become more safe and tranquil than the nation I was born in.

 

 

 

PARADISE ON EARTH FROM A SAFE AND BRILLIANT GUIDE

THREE BARBOSA WATERFALLS IN ONE DAY TOUR FROM MEDELLIN

The Barbosa three waterfalls tour offers high value for what it costs.

When you are knee deep in cool, pure water -- looking up at cascades of mountain water -- you will reconnect with nature.

Like everybody, I have my concerns about clients, earnings, savings, health and poor local, state and federal government in the U.S.

Hearing rushing water, then coming out of the trees and lush greenery to see a unique waterfall – it is a deeply spiritual and profound experience.

This is one of the most physically and mentally renewing day trips possible.

In less than an hour, you are driven from the urban intensity of Medellin into the paradise that is rural Colombia.

The tour passes the quaint center of the town of Barbosa.

It visits we will visit the Cascada Chorron plus two other waterfalls that I believe are roughly translated to the Waterfall of the Wind plus the Cave of Love/Enchantment.

 

 

PARADISE ON EARTH FROM A SAFE AND BRILLIANT GUIDE

THREE BARBOSA WATERFALLS IN ONE DAY TOUR FROM MEDELLIN

Lunch, at an aquaculture farm filled with trout, is a highlight -- you catch your own trucha then hike while it is prepared as part of an authentic and delicious meal.

The lavish local lunch, as well as an optional brief breakfast, is included in the price along with transportation and admission to the natural sites.

Expert guide Camilo Escobar helped keep my camera and wallet dry during my Andean adventure.

The price is a bit more than the typical Medellin area big group tour -- but it is worth double what is charged.

 

PARADISE ON EARTH FROM A SAFE AND BRILLIANT GUIDE

THREE BARBOSA WATERFALLS IN ONE DAY TOUR FROM MEDELLIN

The three waterfalls tour, booked through Get Your Guide and led by the eco-friendly Enduro Racer Barbosa Antioquia Experience, is top notch.

Barbosa native Camilo Escobar is a passionate and brilliant guide who will emphasize safety while taking you to three hidden waterfalls.

There are three convenient pickup sites, but because I was the only one who booked the $120 tour that day – Camilo came directly to my hotel in Laureles that morning.

He quickly shares his expertise about and love for Barbosa's spectacular nature.

Camilo supplied aqua shoes, a precision walking stick and a steadying hand over slick rocks during small river crossings.

PARADISE ON EARTH FROM A SAFE AND BRILLIANT GUIDE

THREE BARBOSA WATERFALLS IN ONE DAY TOUR FROM MEDELLIN

Medellin has many charms.

Once a feared place, it is a modern city with fabulous gastronomy, green spaces, neighborhoods, historic buildings, transit, music and people.

Colombia is one of the most naturally beautiful nations on earth.

We very highly recommend a day trip outside of the hustle and bustle of Medellin – and into the lush green mountains and cool pure water.

Guatape plus Piedra de Penol are the most famous day trips – but we say under the radar Barbosa is well worth some of your time and money.