The best hotels in Cali

This older Dann Carlton property sits in El Peñón, a quiet residential neighborhood close to the Río Cali and several good restaurants. Rooms are dated but clean, and the beds are comfortable enough for a few nights. The pool area is a genuine bonus at this price point. Staff are friendly and helpful with directions around the city. Not glamorous, but reliable for budget travelers.

Housed in a restored colonial building one block from the Iglesia La Merced in downtown Cali, this small hotel has genuine character that chain hotels cannot replicate. The interior courtyard with its fountain is a calm retreat from the busy streets outside. Rooms are simple but well maintained, with high ceilings and tiled floors. The location puts you walking distance from Cali's main historic sites and the Río Cali boardwalk. A solid pick for travelers who want history without a high price tag.

The Spiwak Chipichape is connected to the Chipichape shopping mall in northern Cali, which makes it extremely convenient for business travelers and shoppers alike. Rooms are modern, well-lit, and consistently maintained across the property. The breakfast buffet is generous and one of the better ones in the city at this price range. Traffic on Calle 38 can create noise during peak hours, so request a higher floor room facing inward. Conference facilities are reliable and frequently used by local companies.

Set on a tree-lined street in the Granada neighborhood, this boutique hotel is surrounded by Cali's best restaurants and cocktail bars within easy walking distance. The rooms are individually decorated with a mix of local art and warm tones that feel more like a private home than a hotel. The small rooftop terrace is ideal for an evening drink after dinner on Avenida Colombia. Service is attentive and the staff know the neighborhood well. It fills up on weekends, so book ahead.

Located in the upscale Ciudad Jardín district near the south end of the city, this GHL property is popular with both leisure and business guests. The pool and gym facilities are well above average for a mid-range hotel in Cali. Rooms are spacious with good air conditioning, which matters during the warmer months. The surrounding area has supermarkets, pharmacies, and several solid local restaurants within a short walk. Getting to the city center requires a taxi or rideshare, which is easy to arrange.

This Dann Carlton sits directly adjacent to Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, making it the most practical option for early departures or late arrivals. The shuttle to the terminal runs around the clock and takes under five minutes. Rooms are quiet despite the proximity to the runway, with solid soundproofing throughout. The restaurant on site is functional rather than exciting, but it covers breakfast and dinner without needing to go anywhere. Not a destination hotel, but it does exactly what it promises.

The Intercontinental is one of Cali's most recognizable hotels, sitting on Avenida Colombia in the San Fernando area with views toward the surrounding hills. The outdoor pool area is large and well maintained, and it gets lively on weekend afternoons. Rooms in the tower have good city views and are kept in consistently good condition for an international-brand property. The restaurant serves a mix of Colombian and international dishes and is reliable for business dinners. It is a solid all-around choice with the reliability of a major chain.

The Estelar Altamira occupies a hilltop position in the Altos de Normandía area, offering some of the best panoramic views of Cali from its upper floors. The Colombian chain Estelar runs a tight operation here, with well-trained staff and consistently clean, modern rooms. The outdoor pool takes advantage of the elevated setting and is a real highlight. It is a few kilometers from the city center, so a car or rideshare is necessary for most activities. The value for what you get, including the views and facilities, is hard to beat in this price range.

The Hyatt Centric opened in the El Peñón neighborhood and quickly became the reference point for upscale stays in Cali. The design is contemporary and polished, with a rooftop pool and bar that draws both guests and local residents on weekends. Rooms are large by Colombian standards, with quality linens, strong Wi-Fi, and well-designed bathrooms. The ground-floor restaurant is one of the better dining options in the neighborhood. It is the most complete luxury option currently operating in the city.

Converted from a 17th-century convent in the historic San Antonio hill district, this Sofitel property is the most atmospheric hotel in Cali by a considerable margin. The original stone corridors, chapel spaces, and courtyard gardens are preserved alongside modern rooms that are genuinely luxurious. The spa and pool area occupy what were once the convent gardens and feel unlike anything else in the city. The restaurant focuses on high-quality Colombian cuisine and is worth a visit even for non-guests. If budget is not a concern, this is the clear choice in Cali.