Medellin Reports

[RiceRocket99]

I thought that giving myself about 2 months on the ground, I'll come out owning a piece of Colombian paradise / real estate. I'm almost there! Haha. Within a week of landing in Medellin back in April, I picked out a brand new 3 bed /2 bath 28th floor apartment with amazing view for about $80 k USD or about 300 million pesos in Bello. Six weeks later, the only issue is a discrepancy in the registration papers of the storage utility space that comes with the apartment. A very minor issue, but I can't sign the deed until it's corrected. Apt purchase includes parking space that can fit a car or 2-3 motos. I gave power of attorney to my lawyers so they can sign any paperwork while I'm away for the next few weeks. Money from US to Colombia has been transferred, converted, and registered legally to a Colombian investment account. The law firm I hired were very prompt, professional, and proactive in requesting, checking and analyzing all the paper work pertaining to the apartment. Hope that when I get back in July, I'll have keys on hand and next steps would be to furnish the damn thing. I'll do my best to make it into a classy and comforting bachelor pad (wink, wink)z

[Vitrea]

Makes complete sense to stay at hotel M for your first trip. I did too 8 years ago. Have a great time. You will have friendly mongers that will show you the ropes. Other hotels are for more independent mongers or for married mongers who need a legit tourist / business hotel address for people back home. He he. :-)

What do you like about haven over hotel M?

Pros vs Cons for both.

I'll be staying at Hotel M for my first trip.

Is there a website for Haven?

[JjBee62]

What do you like about haven over hotel M?

Pros vs Cons for both.

I'll be staying at Hotel M for my first trip.

Is there a website for Haven?

I've never stayed at Haven hotel, however I've been to Hotel M. It appears the basic price is about the same. Judging from the website the rooms are nicer at Haven, although Hotel M has done some remodeling since I was there.

For a first time visitor I would recommend Hotel M over Haven. It will give you the opportunity to build up a list of girls and there will be Medellin vets to show you the ropes. For a return visit Haven looks like an excellent option to me. If I didn't have other plans I would probably be staying there a few days next week.

[Vitrea]

That would annoy the hell out of me too.

I was in Guadalajara few weeks ago. Stayed at RIU and Westin. The elevators there need a key card so the girl can't come up unless you go down. That is so annoying. I tried leaving my extra card with the bellboy so he can send the girl up. H was happy to do because of the tips. Some supervisor saw it and put a stop to it. Grrrr.

I am going to be in Medellin sometime in June. Likely I will stay at Haven at least for a few days. I will ask the manager why they are doing that to some guests and not all. Could be good intel.

I stayed at Haven and its a good hotel but there's one really annoying guy that works night shifts that forces you to come downstairs and sign the girl in instead of just calling and sending her up. The rest of them just call or just send them up once they check the cedula.

[JustTK]

... and there is a shopping center about 100 meters down the hill on the opposite side of the street that has among other things 3 ATMs, a pharmacy and a selection of restaurants, such as Japanese (Kabuki), Argentinian (La Pampa Parrilla), a casual fare lunch spot called Pecositas, a fast casual Chinese place (123 wok), a good burger place (Fire House) , Subway, Papa Johns Pizza, and an El Bunuelo (Colombian donuts)

Love 123 Wok. May fave Asian food place in MDE. Can't beat their Arma Tu Wok as a takeaway.

[Vitrea]

And I agree with 100% of what Mojo said. Every place has its pros and cons. Thank you for highlighting the positives of Energy. Well said.

I agree with 90% of what Vitrea says, as for location and amenities, Hotel Haven is by far better, and the location cannot be beat for walking out the door and having walking distance access to several restaurants, shops, bars, etc etc, I just wanted to add that anyone who finds themselves looking at an Airbnb in Energy for whatever reason,

There is a good security team that works the building (head of security was walking around with a cannon in his holster that looked like it might be a Dessert Eagle). They are thorough about checking the chicas Cedulas.

While it is nothing like being at Hotel Haven for being able to walk to so many restaurants, there is a Carulla supermarket about 300 meters south (I walked it and I am fat, old and out of shape), and there is a shopping center about 100 meters down the hill on the opposite side of the street that has among other things 3 ATMs, a pharmacy and a selection of restaurants, such as Japanese (Kabuki), Argentinian (La Pampa Parrilla), a casual fare lunch spot called Pecositas, a fast casual Chinese place (123 wok), a good burger place (Fire House) , Subway, Papa Johns Pizza, and an El Bunuelo (Colombian donuts)

The views from the roof and the apartments on the high floors are remarkable as evidenced by the photos below that were taken from there.

[Bastardito]

Thanks man, very appreciated. Nothing beats a daily swim / eat / fuck / swim / eat / fuck sleep cycle. I know, nobody wants to read my crap, except maybe for the passionate swimmers amongst us. They perfectly understand.

[RacShack]

I agree with 90% of what Vitrea says, as for location and amenities, Hotel Haven is by far better, and the location cannot be beat for walking out the door and having walking distance access to several restaurants, shops, bars, etc etc, I just wanted to add that anyone who finds themselves looking at an Airbnb in Energy for whatever reason,

There is a good security team that works the building (head of security was walking around with a cannon in his holster that looked like it might be a Dessert Eagle). They are thorough about checking the chicas Cedulas.

While it is nothing like being at Hotel Haven for being able to walk to so many restaurants, there is a Carulla supermarket about 300 meters south (I walked it and I am fat, old and out of shape), and there is a shopping center about 100 meters down the hill on the opposite side of the street that has among other things 3 ATMs, a pharmacy and a selection of restaurants, such as Japanese (Kabuki), Argentinian (La Pampa Parrilla), a casual fare lunch spot called Pecositas, a fast casual Chinese place (123 wok), a good burger place (Fire House) , Subway, Papa Johns Pizza, and an El Bunuelo (Colombian donuts)

The views from the roof and the apartments on the high floors are remarkable as evidenced by the photos below that were taken from there.

Mojo thanks for always your awesome reports on this site, did I not here at one point energy building completely stopped all quests in building? Has it went back to normal or did it never change?

[RacShack]

I stayed at Haven and its a good hotel but there's one really annoying guy that works night shifts that forces you to come downstairs and sign the girl in instead of just calling and sending her up. The rest of them just call or just send them up once they check the cedula.

Very annoying I agree, but nothing a 5 $ tip every now and then, would probably would fix that problem! Did you try this? Weird because sounds like it's only him doing it, he's probably looking for something!

[Mojo Bandit]

I am taking my 2nd trip to Medellin shortly.

First time, I stayed at Mansion. It went well.

I hope to stay there again for part of the trip. However, they are already sold out for some of the days I will be in Medellin.

As an alternative, I am considering booking Energy Living on Airbnb or Hotel Haven.

Which do you believe is better? I have never been to either place. Which is better neighborhood? Are they both in safe areas? Are they far from the Mansion?

Howard.

I have stayed at both. It is not even a comparison for me. Hotel Haven for sure. They have actual amenities and central in location. Energy is a nice building but not walking distance to anything. Also the security of being in a good hotel can't be beat. I used to be an Airbnb guy in Medellin but not anymore. Tired of Potrero BS. Now I chose a girl friendly hotel with views.

Over the years, I wrote many times about this. I go to Medellin for girls, weather and views. My trips are short but frequent. I keep the hassle to minimum.

I agree with 90% of what Vitrea says, as for location and amenities, Hotel Haven is by far better, and the location cannot be beat for walking out the door and having walking distance access to several restaurants, shops, bars, etc etc, I just wanted to add that anyone who finds themselves looking at an Airbnb in Energy for whatever reason,

There is a good security team that works the building (head of security was walking around with a cannon in his holster that looked like it might be a Dessert Eagle). They are thorough about checking the chicas Cedulas.

While it is nothing like being at Hotel Haven for being able to walk to so many restaurants, there is a Carulla supermarket about 300 meters south (I walked it and I am fat, old and out of shape), and there is a shopping center about 100 meters down the hill on the opposite side of the street that has among other things 3 ATMs, a pharmacy and a selection of restaurants, such as Japanese (Kabuki), Argentinian (La Pampa Parrilla), a casual fare lunch spot called Pecositas, a fast casual Chinese place (123 wok), a good burger place (Fire House) , Subway, Papa Johns Pizza, and an El Bunuelo (Colombian donuts)

The views from the roof and the apartments on the high floors are remarkable as evidenced by the photos below that were taken from there.

[Shawn6430]

So I book a local travel guide to show me around, and with people reporting drugging of visitors I think it's the right thing to do. Does anyone have experience with a person named (passport dog) he wants $130 USD for 4 days of guiding.

[JaredMark333]

I stayed at Haven and its a good hotel but there's one really annoying guy that works night shifts that forces you to come downstairs and sign the girl in instead of just calling and sending her up. The rest of them just call or just send them up once they check the cedula.

[Kafka]

Leaving why Cartagena now after a nice stay unfortunately sorry to report many first hand reports of druggings from mongers. Be careful.

One dude drugged in a nice club in Medellin El Centro for an IPhone apparently. Took several days to recover. He had lived in Medellin for years.

[YyzTravel]

With some of my deutsch hot sauce as a digestif.

OK, got to ask, where is this girl from? Bangkok?

[Shawn6430]

I have stayed at both. It is not even a comparison for me. Hotel Haven for sure. They have actual amenities and central in location. Energy is a nice building but not walking distance to anything. Also the security of being in a good hotel can't be beat. I used to be an Airbnb guy in Medellin but not anymore. Tired of Potrero BS. Now I chose a girl friendly hotel with views.

Over the years, I wrote many times about this. I go to Medellin for girls, weather and views. My trips are short but frequent. I keep the hassle to minimum.

What do you like about haven over hotel M?

Pros vs Cons for both.

I'll be staying at Hotel M for my first trip.

Is there a website for Haven?