Sleeping in a 1940s House: Heritage Lodgings in the Granada Neighborhood

The charm of Granada: a neighborhood that breathes history

If you're reading this, you've probably already grown tired of generic hotels with the same sterile lobby and the same bland breakfast buffet. Or maybe you simply want to understand why Cali is not just salsa and partying, but also a city with layers of history that you can touch, smell, and inhabit. And for that, there's no better starting point than the Granada neighborhood.

Here, among fine dining restaurants and modern offices, mansions that witnessed Cali's transformation since the early 20th century survive. In the 40s and 50s, Granada was the neighborhood of Cali's elite, where wealthy families built mansions in republican and colonial style with inner courtyards, clay tile roofs, and solid wood doors that weighed more than a small car. Over time, many of those houses became bank headquarters or shopping centers, but several maintained their essence and today function as heritage lodgings.

Sleeping in one of these houses is not just looking for a roof: it's an immersion in the architecture of an era where rooms had balconies overlooking the courtyard, floors were made of oak planks, and the city noise stayed outside, literally, on the other side of the entrance hall. In September 2026, the heritage lodging offering in Cali is more interesting than ever, with options ranging from boutique luxury to hostels with the soul of a family home. Here's my selection.

1. Casa 1947: a boutique hotel in a restored mansion

The name says it all: this house dates from 1947 and was restored with an almost obsessive respect for original details. Located on Carrera 35 with Calle 5A, in the heart of Granada, Casa 1947 is one of those places that makes you feel like you've arrived at a wealthy great-uncle's house, but with fiber optic wifi and beds that have nothing to envy a chain hotel.

The restoration preserved the high ceilings with wooden beams, the panel doors, and the hydraulic tile floors that are a work of art in themselves. Each room has its own name (not a #), inspired by the stories of the family that lived in the house. Some rooms overlook the central courtyard, where there's a small garden with native plants and an outdoor breakfast area.

• Address: Carrera 35 # 5A-32, Granada neighborhood.
• Price: Double rooms from $380,000 COP per night (reference price as of September 2026).
• Services: Breakfast included, wifi, terrace with neighborhood views, laundry service.
• Fun fact: The house was one of the first in the neighborhood to have central heating, an absurd luxury in a city where the climate rarely drops below 25 degrees.

If you're the type who likes to wake up to the sound of birds and the smell of freshly brewed coffee, this is your place. Breakfast is not a buffet: it's prepared to order, with chócolo arepas, scrambled eggs with tomatoes and onions, and lulo juice, as it should be.

2. Hotel San Antonio del Río: where tradition meets design

Although its name refers to the San Antonio neighborhood, this hotel is strategically located on Calle 5A with Carrera 34, steps away from Granada. Hotel San Antonio del Río occupies a 1940s mansion that was adapted by a local architecture studio, and the result is a constant dialogue between the old and the contemporary.

The facade preserves the original structure, with its running balcony and wrought iron railings. Inside, the rooms mix designer furniture with restored pieces: a 1950s dresser next to a minimalist lamp, a colonial mirror facing a smart Transversal The inner courtyard is the heart of the hotel, with a small but sufficient pool to cool off after an afternoon of walking through downtown.

• Address: Calle 5A # 34-08, San Antonio neighborhood (5 minutes walking from Granada).
• Price: Rooms from $420,000 COP per night, breakfast included (reference price as of September 2026).
• Services: Pool, restaurant, rooftop bar, city tour service.
• Fun fact: The hotel has a mural on the restaurant wall by a local artist that depicts the history of the Granada and San Antonio neighborhoods in a single image.

The location is ideal if you want to explore both neighborhoods: Granada for nightlife and San Antonio for art galleries and viewpoints. And if you like salsa, the city's most famous dance schools are less than a 10-minute walk away.

3. El Viajero Hostel: the big house that became a meeting point

Not everything is luxury. If you're traveling on a tight budget or simply prefer the hostel vibe, El Viajero Hostel occupies a 1940s mansion on Carrera 36 with Calle 5A, on the border between Granada and San Antonio. The house preserves the original structure but was adapted to receive travelers from all over the world: shared and private rooms, communal kitchen, hammocks in the courtyard, and a terrace that fills up at sunset.

The charm of this place is that it hasn't lost its homey spirit: the hallways are wide, the doors are the original ones (with their bronze locks), and the courtyard has a mango tree that provides shade and fruit in season. It's common for guests to end the night sharing a beer on the terrace while someone pulls out a guitar.

• Address: Carrera 36 # 5A-10, San Antonio neighborhood.
• Price: Beds in shared dorm from $65,000 COP; private rooms from $180,000 COP (reference price as of September 2026).
• Services: Shared kitchen, wifi, walking tours, tourist information, basic breakfast included.
• Fun fact: The hostel organizes salsa nights with local instructors, so there's no excuse not to learn at least one basic step.

Don't expect luxuries, but do expect authenticity. Here you breathe the atmosphere of a family home, with all its imperfections and warmth.

4. Casa del Barrio: a bet on lodging with soul

This option is less well-known, but for me, it's one of the most authentic. Casa del Barrio is a lodging project that occupies a family home from the 1940s on Calle 4A with Carrera 35, two blocks from Avenida Roosevelt, in the heart of Granada. It's not a formal hotel: it's more like a house that receives guests, with only five rooms, all different from each other.

The owner, a third-generation Caleña who inherited the house from her grandparents, says the rooms are decorated with furniture that belonged to her family. There are old photos on the walls, books on the shelves, and even a 1950s Singer sewing machine in the living room. There's no reception, no bellboys, no minibar. What there is, is a conversation with the owner about the neighborhood's history, recommendations for restaurants that don't appear in the guides, and a homemade breakfast that's worth it.

• Address: Calle 4A # 35-18, Granada neighborhood.
• Price: Rooms from $250,000 COP per night, breakfast included (reference price as of September 2026).
• Services: Homemade breakfast, wifi, laundry, shared kitchen for guests.
• Fun fact: The house has an inner garden with a water well dating from the original construction that still works.

It's not a formal hotel, so don't expect concierge services. What you get is an experience of total immersion in the life of a neighborhood that was the heart of aristocratic Cali.

5. Charming alternatives: hostels and inns in nearby old houses

If the previous options don't convince you or are already full, there are other alternatives in heritage houses a few blocks from Granada. Here are some worth considering:

Hostal Casa Verde

On Carrera 38 with Calle 5, in the San Antonio neighborhood, this hostel occupies a 1950s house painted green (obviously) with a courtyard full of plants. The rooms are simple but comfortable, and the atmosphere is quiet, ideal for resting after a night of partying. Beds from $70,000 COP.

La Posada del Río

On Calle 5 with Carrera 40, on the banks of the Cali River, this inn occupies a republican-style house from the 1930s. The rooms have balconies overlooking the river, and breakfast is served on a terrace with a view of the water. Double rooms from $320,000 COP.

Hotel Casa del Hidalgo

Further south, in the Centenario neighborhood, this boutique hotel occupies a restored 1940s mansion. It's more formal than the previous options, but it preserves the heritage charm. Rooms from $400,000 COP.

Heritage apartments

If you prefer more independence, in Granada there are several apartments in old houses rented by the night. Search on platforms like Airbnb or Booking filtering by "heritage house" or "restored mansion." Prices vary between $200,000 and $500,000 COP per night, depending on size and location.

How to choose and what to expect: tips for a heritage stay

Before booking, keep in mind that a heritage house is not a modern hotel. There are things you should know so the experience doesn't take you by surprise:

• Noise: Old houses have thick walls, but ceilings are high and courtyards are open, so sound travels. If you're sensitive to noise, ask for an interior room.
• Climate: Cali is hot, and many heritage houses don't have air conditioning. The good news is that high ceilings and ventilated courtyards help keep the temperature pleasant. Fans are available almost everywhere.
• Breakfast: In most of these lodgings, breakfast is homemade and served at a fixed time. Don't expect a buffet or international options. But do expect arepas, eggs, fresh fruit, and real Colombian coffee.
• Location: Granada is Cali's gastronomic and financial heart, so you'll have restaurants, bars, and shops around the corner. But it's also a busy area, so ask for a room that doesn't face the main street if you want quiet.
• Prices: The prices I mentioned are reference prices as of September 2026 and may vary by season. In December and during the Cali Fair (held in December), prices rise considerably. It's recommended to verify rates and availability directly with each lodging.

And an extra tip: don't stay locked in the hotel. Granada is meant to be walked, smelled, and heard.