Casa Reloj is a little slice of paradise I plan on returning to on any trip to Medellin. There are many reasons I was left feeling so awesome after staying here, but I will summarize, as I’m sure you have other things you want to do!
First, and most important, the people behind the property are amazing! As with literally everyone I met in Colombia, they are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Johanna communicated with me for months about the property. She was always prompt with replies, thorough in her information, and thoughtful in not just answering any question I had. I ran into a problem with my airline the night before check out, and Ivan? sat with me as I spoke with the airline, offering advice or translation when needed.
Beyond the people, the location of the property is more than you could possibly hope for. I was told by a few locals that Calle 35 is the best street in Medellin. You are literally surrounded by jungle, with a creak just down the street. Restaurants are everywhere, and almost all of them are high quality. Park Lleras is a few streets away, and offers a bit of centralized activity.
The house itself is well thought out. Each room is clean, modern, very well built and very functional. The bathrooms have a unique design, and the living room has large windows that fully open so you can listen to the frequent rain. The appliances are nice, work well, and easy to use. I stayed in the Jardin apartment, which has a garden in the center of the apartment. This is as beautiful as it sounds, and not only is it nice to look at, it’s quite zen, as well. It frames your view from one of the bedrooms, and you have to walk through it to get to the other one. It is like a living, functioning piece of art that the entire apartment is built around.
Lastly, let’s talk about money. Yes, the nightly rate is on the higher side for Medellin…. but…. that cost is not high relative to other modern, bustling cities. At roughly the same price you’d pay for a lower to mid range hotel in Los Angeles, New York or Amsterdam, you get a very large and luxurious space. I stayed in several other locations in Colombia, and saw a few spaces in Medellin. You get what you pay for. If you want a box to come home to sleep in, you may want to save your money. If you want a nice home base in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Medellin, this is the place you are looking for… without a doubt.
