Escape to Paradise: Hotel Xilon Resort Plaza's Colombian Oasis Awaits!
Escape to Paradise? Hotel Xilon Resort Plaza: My Colombian Oasis Diary (and Maybe Some Regrets)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't going to be your average, sterile hotel review. I'm fresh back from a whirlwind trip to Hotel Xilon Resort Plaza, that Colombian Oasis promised. And honestly? It was…an experience. Let's dive in, shall we? Warning: May contain rambles, unsolicited opinions, and a whole lot of “WTF?” moments.
First Impressions: Paradise Found (Maybe?)
The website promised a lush Colombian escape, and the photos? Stunning. Rolling hills, turquoise pools, and…well, I was ready to escape. Which is good, because I desperately needed one. Getting there was smooth, thankfully. Airport Transfer (thank God!), and the drive felt like a slow, humid exhale. The Exterior corridor took a minute to get used to, but hey, adventure! The Elevator was a godsend because, hello, no stairs after a red-eye.
Accessibility: Navigating the Maze
- Accessibility: This is where things got a little…hmmm. The website claimed to be accessible, but I didn't test it to the fullest extent. I am able bodied, however, I did notice Elevator access to the main areas. However, navigating the sprawling grounds would have been a challenge for someone with mobility issues. I didn't see any obvious Facilities for disabled guests advertised. My advice? Call ahead and ask specific questions. Don't just trust the marketing fluff.
The Room: My Temporary Sanctuary
My room, available in all rooms, felt like a cave of calm. The Air conditioning blessed my soul. Let's take a moment to appreciate that, because the Colombian heat is no joke. Blackout curtains? Genius. I could sleep like the dead. And I did. Extra long bed was a lifesaver. The Bathroom phone and Bathroom phone? I'm not gonna front, I never used them, but a cool feature to be fair. Free bottled water – essential. The Mini bar had a decent selection. Although a little on the overpriced side. The Shower was great, the Toiletries were decent. The Safe box was a must-use, because you know, valuables. The Alarm clock was…adequate. But I’m not a morning person so I turned that off. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy. I'd happily take Complimentary tea and Coffee/tea maker in the room.
The Good Stuff: Spa Days and Poolside Bliss
- Things to do, ways to relax: Now this is where Hotel Xilon really shone. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was heaven. Seriously, the pool with a view was what Instagram dreams are made of. I spent hours poolside, sipping cocktails (thanks Poolside bar) and pretending I wasn't stressed about the bills back home. The Spa was the highlight. The Massage was so good, I nearly melted into the massage bed. I highly recommend the Body scrub. This was heaven. The Sauna was invigorating, though I skipped the Steamroom because, honestly, I was already melting from the humidity. And, well, I am now a fan of Foot bath.
- Fitness: I made a half-hearted stab at the Fitness center/ Gym. I'm not sure if it's the altitude or the fact that I was on vacation, but I think I maybe used the treadmill for about 15 minutes. Shameful.
Dining: A Mixed Bag of Flavors (and a Mystery Coffee)
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, let’s talk food. The Breakfast [buffet] was the usual suspects and not bad, the fresh fruit being the best part. I'm a sucker for a Western breakfast so I made the most out of it. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was an abomination. And again, I'm a Coffee shop junkie anyway, so I was a bit biased. The Restaurants were varied, offering International cuisine in restaurant to Asian cuisine in restaurant. The A la carte in restaurant options were a bit pricier, but the food was generally delicious. I got a bit of a food poisoning incident near the end, so I skipped the Soup in restaurant. The Room service [24-hour] was useful, especially after a late night. I tried the Desserts in restaurant and loved it! I was less of a fan of the Salad in restaurant, let’s just say it.
Cleanliness and Safety: Comforting but a Little Much
- Cleanliness and safety: I appreciated the efforts, even if they felt a bit…excessive. Daily disinfection in common areas, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol… It felt safe, but also a little like living in a surgical ward. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Anti-viral cleaning products. They took it seriously. They also had First aid kit. Rooms sanitized between stays. I personally didn't opt for the Room sanitization opt-out available.
Services and Conveniences: The Everyday Essentials (and Some Surprises)
- Services and conveniences: Concierge was helpful with booking excursions. Daily housekeeping kept things tidy. Laundry service was a lifesaver. The Gift/souvenir shop was…meh. The Currency exchange was a must. The Elevator was a lifesaver, though I'm thankful I didn't need Facilities for disabled guests personally. The Dry cleaning was expensive.
For the Kids: Babysitting, Be Careful
- For the kids: I didn't bring any kids (thank GOD), but I saw a Babysitting service offered. I noticed the hotel was very Family/child friendly.
Getting Around: Car for Days
- Getting around: I used the Car park [free of charge] most of the time. I didn't use the Taxi service.
Internet and Tech: Connecting (or Not)
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN. The Wi-Fi was decent, occasionally patchy. I’m not a fan of slow Internet, but at least available and free.
The Quirks, Imperfections, and Overall Vibe
Okay, here’s where things get real. Hotel Xilon is not flawless. The service, while generally friendly, can be a bit…slow. There was this one waiter at the pool bar who seemed to have forgotten how to smile. The music constantly playing was a little too repetitive after a few days. The air conditioning in the lobby felt like a rainforest during the rainy season. My room’s view was not the promised "lush garden" but the maintenance shed.
And then there’s the…ambiance. It’s beautiful, but occasionally the vibe was a bit…corporate retreat. Lots of suits milling about. The place didn't have the genuine, lived-in feel that some hotels possess.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Maybe. The spa was divine. The pool was glorious. The rooms were comfortable. The location was stunning. And yes, despite the quirks, I did have a good time.
But, and it’s a big but… I would temper my expectations a bit. Do your research. Ask the right questions. And don’t be afraid to embrace the imperfections. Because that, my friends, is life. And sometimes, even a flawed paradise is still paradise.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the messy, glorious, and utterly unpredictable whirlwind that is… drumroll… Hotel Xilon Resort Plaza, Pasto, Colombia! (Cue dramatic music, preferably something a little off-key.)
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Adjustment (Mostly the latter)
- 6:00 AM (ish) - The Great Awakening (Or Slumbering Inconvenience): My alarm. Ugh. Flights. Why are flights always so early? I swear, the travel gods are actively plotting to make me perpetually sleep-deprived. Anyway, fumbling in the dark, packing the last-minute essentials (toothbrush, sanity, maybe a tiny bottle of emergency tequila), and dragging my weary carcass to the airport.
- 8:00 AM - Flight Hell (aka Bogota's Holding Pattern): Finally, airborne! But of course, there are delays. This is how it always works, right? This specific plane was late and my stomach was already rumbling for breakfast.
- 12:00 PM (ish) - Arrival in Pasto! (And the Holy Quest for Oxygen): Pasto… welcome to high altitude! I step off the plane and promptly feel like I've run a marathon while simultaneously drowning in a vat of molasses. That's the altitude, folks. Take a deep breath, and try not to pass out. (I actually did feel a little dizzy, but I managed to hold it together.)
- 1:00 PM - Check-in at Hotel Xilon. (Or, The Art of Pretending to Know Spanish): Okay, so the reception is beautiful, all sleek modern lines and colorful art. "Hola!" I chirp, feeling like I might be about to win an Oscar for my flawless pronunciation. The receptionist, bless her heart, probably wants to laugh, but she's too polite. I fumble through the check-in (thank goodness for Google Translate), and finally, triumphantly, have a key!
- 2:00 PM - Room Revelation (with a Side of "Where's the Air Conditioning?"): The room is… fine. Clean, bright, and has a balcony. No AC. Oh dear. That means it can be hot. I’m a sweat person. Now, where is the fan?
- 3:00 PM - Lunchtime Struggle (Or, Learning the Hard Way About "AjÃ"s Power): Down to the hotel restaurant! I order something that looks vaguely like pasta (because I'm a predictable tourist). The food arrives… looks delicious! Then I take a bite. Dear God. The ajà (chili sauce) is like a miniature volcano exploding in my mouth. Tears streaming down my face. I politely (but desperately) wave for water. Lesson learned: always ask about the spice level. The pasta was actually quite good.
- 4:00 PM - Rest and Recover (And Contemplate the Existence of Air Conditioning): I spend the afternoon napping off the altitude sickness and the ajà assault.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner… I’m afraid to eat. Is it the altitude? Spicy food? Perhaps it's simply my brain having a bad day. I decide to order a pizza.
- 8:00 PM - Sunset from the Balcony (And the Unsolicited Commentary of a Nearby Parrot): Glorious. The light over the hills, that vibrant South American sunset. The balcony gets all the points. And then, squawk! A parrot in a nearby tree starts yelling at me. "Hola! Que tal!" (Whatever, I guess "how's it going" in parrot.)
Day 2: Laguna de la Cocha & the Island of Dreams (Or, The Day I Almost Fell in a Lake)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast Mishap & Pre-Adventure Jitters: The hotel breakfast buffet looks promising! But I somehow manage to spill juice all over myself. Great start. Then, I remember I also don't speak any useful Spanish to the locals. Oh, well. The most important thing is to keep my coffee cup.
- 10:00 AM - The Drive to Laguna de la Cocha (And a Deep Dive into Colombian Music): The drive is magnificent, weaving through the mountains. And the driver’s blasting some Colombian music.
- 11:00 AM - Laguna de la Cocha: The Beauty, the Boats, and the Near-Disaster: The lake itself is stunning. A massive expanse of water, reflecting the mountains. We hire a boat to take us to the Isla Corota, the "Island of Dreams." Getting on the boat involves a wobbly dock and a serious fear of falling in. I almost fell in the water but managed to grab onto the side of the boat.
- 12:00 PM - Isla Corota: A Sanctuary of Serenity (And, Again, the Lack of Convenient Bathrooms): Isla Corota is magical. Trees, birdsong, the air smells fresh. A little trail leads to this nice, quiet place. And then… nature calls loudly. I spent about 20 minutes trying to find a place to do my thing.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch with a View (And a Moment of Zen): We eat a picnic lunch overlooking the lake. The fish is fresh, the scenery is unbelievable. I'm starting to calm down.
- 3:00 PM - Back to Pasto (And a Moment of "What Did I Get Myself Into?"): The ride back is filled with beautiful scenery, but also the creeping sense of my adventure being over. I never know what to expect.
- 4:00 PM - Hotel Down Time. Rest. I'm tired.
- 5:00 PM - Spa. All the massages. This place is beautiful.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner. Good food. I’ll be kind to myself, I think.
Day 3: City Explorations, Last-Minute Souvenirs, and the Bitter-Sweet Goodbye
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast (and a renewed appreciation for the hotel coffee maker): I feel less panicked today. The coffee is strong, and the buffet is well-stocked.
- 10:00 AM - City Exploration (and another attempt at the Spanish language): Pasto has all sorts of cool stuff to explore. I want to be a tourist but I can't. I need something to bring home. I buy some artesan's crafts.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Restaurant (and a final taste of the local cuisine): I find a restaurant where the menu is written in both Spanish and English.
- 2:00 PM - Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping (and the panic of overpacking): Okay, time to buy gifts. I realize I haven't bought enough and start rushing.
- 4:00 PM - The Flight Home (and a flood of memories): The airport! I'm exhausted. I am leaving. I am sad but ready.
- 6:00 PM - Arrival at my home.
- 7:00 PM - Sleep.
Things I learned:
- Altitude sickness is real.
- Ajà is a force to be reckoned with.
- The parrots of Pasto are very opinionated.
- I need to learn more Spanish.
- Colombia is beautiful and complicated and totally worth braving the chaos for.
- I want to come back.
Final Verdict on Hotel Xilon Resort Plaza:
Look, it's not perfect. But the staff is lovely, and the altitude is not entirely the hotel's fault, and the views are amazing. Come prepared; and be ready for anything. And for crying out loud, bring a fan!
Unbelievable Salford Quays Apartments: Manchester United Views Await!
Okay, so this "Escape to Paradise: Hotel Xilon Resort Plaza's Colombian Oasis" thing... is it actually paradise? Because, you know, marketing...
Alright, let's get real. Paradise? Define paradise. If your definition involves, like, perfect weather 24/7, no mosquitoes (ha!), and a bottomless piña colada fountain... you *might* be disappointed. But if paradise means lush greenery, a seriously friendly staff (seriously! They're ridiculously helpful), and that feeling of "finally, I'm away from the *bleep* of everyday life"... then yeah, Hotel Xilon is *pretty* close. I mean, I saw a sloth. A freaking *sloth*! Just hanging out in a tree. Try getting *that* in your Monday morning commute.
Look, things aren't always perfect. The wifi was, shall we say, "intermittent." And one morning, I swear, a chicken woke me up at like, dawn. But those little hiccups? They're part of the charm, honestly. Part of the *realness* of it all.
Tell me about the rooms. Are we talking luxury, or questionable towels?
Okay, the rooms. So, I stayed in a "deluxe suite." Sounds fancy, right? It was... comfortable. Clean, which is the most important thing, and the bed was actually ridiculously comfy. Like, I almost oversleeped every single morning. Almost. The air conditioning worked a treat, which is crucial in the Colombian heat. (Believe me). The towels... were totally acceptable. Not like, plush hotel-movie-towel quality, but they got the job done. No complaints there.
But here’s a little secret: on my first night, it takes me a while to get settled. I spent too long trying to set up the TV, not sure the remote worked, and I thought I'd broken the air-conditioner! Oh, and I kept trying to open the window, which I didn't realize didn't open. It was a total mess. But when I finally settled down, snuggled in, I felt like I was in a little haven and so peaceful.
Food: Is it all bland hotel buffet food, or am I in for some authentic Colombian deliciousness?
Alright, this is a BIG one. The food! Listen, the buffet? Yeah, it's there. And it's fine. You know... eggs, toast, the usual suspects. But! The *real* food, the Colombian stuff? MagnÃfico! They have an on-site restaurant, and seriously, order the ajiaco soup. Seriously. It's a creamy, chicken-and-potato soup, with a bunch of amazing flavors. I dream about it sometimes. And the arepas? To die for. Just... prepare for the food coma. It's worth it. Trust me.
One night, I saw this guy just staring at his plate of ajiaco with THE happiest look on his face. I totally understood. It's those little moments, you know? Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Activities! Besides eating all day (tempting, I know), what is there to *do*?
Okay, so, sloth-spotting is an activity. Consider that a bonus; just wander around. But, they have a pool (quite nice, and I'm not really a pool person) and some tours too. You can go hiking, which I totally recommend (the views!), or arrange a tour to a coffee plantation. (Coffee in Colombia is, DUH, amazing). There's horseback riding, too, but, full disclosure, I am terrible at riding so I passed on that.
One day, I got hopelessly lost on a hike. Legit lost. Panic started to creep in! I didn't take a map, the trails were kinda vague, and I'm not exactly Bear Grylls material. I eventually found my way back, sweaty and flustered and just glad to see a friendly face at the bar. So yeah, maybe bring a map or a GPS. Or just be a better adventurer than I am!
Safety. Because, you know, Colombia. Is it, like, safe?
Ah, the elephant in the room. Look, I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous before I went. But the Hotel Xilon is in a pretty safe area. Seriously, the whole vibe of the resort plaza and the resort itself is very protected. I never felt unsafe. I wouldn't wander around dark alleys at 3 AM, you know, the usual common sense stuff applies. But overall, it felt totally fine. The staff is super vigilant and can provide guidance. Did I mention the staff, they're so helpful? But, always check the local guidance before you go!
I spoke to a local, and she said that the area has really turned around in recent years. And honestly, the people I met were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Just use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and you'll be fine. Just, you know, don't flash expensive jewelry and everything should be alright. I just kept my backpack by me, and that was fine.
Let's talk about the pool. Is it crowded? Is it a good place to relax?
The pool... Okay, here’s the thing. I'm not a huge pool person. I prefer the ocean, the sea, a lake, a well-placed puddle... but the pool at Hotel Xilon? Actually... pretty darn good. It had this nice, warm vibe. Not over-chlorinated, which is a bonus. It was spacious enough that I didn't feel like I was crammed in with a bunch of screaming kids (though, yes, there were a few, but hey, it's a resort!).
The best part? The swim-up bar. Yes, you heard that right. Swim. Up. Bar. I got to be honest, I'm not sure I've ever had a more relaxing moment than floating in that pool, sipping a margarita. It's worth the trip alone and you will get to know a few people - I felt like a celebrity that day! What a dream!
What was the BEST thing about the Hotel Xilon? Like, the one thing that really stood out?
Okay, deep breath. The absolutely BEST thing? Beyond the food, the sloth, the pool, the surprisingly good wifi on good days... It was the staff. Honestly. They were just so genuinely kind and helpful. I'm talking *above and beyond*. I had a little minor problem with my travel bag - and one of the staff members, saw me fighting with it! (it was a hot day) - and literally helped me sort it out. The sheer level of service... it's hardHotels With Balconys
