Hotels near Estación Teleférico Naranja, La Paz

2-nights solo stay in April 2019. The hotel is located in the touristy part of old town, close to the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas). That might sound like a good thing, but it isn’t – the area reminded me of Old Delhi… dirty, busy and crowded. I was in a room overlooking the main road, and the windows just couldn’t keep the noise out. Note that despite the chaotic traffic and crowds, the area didn’t feel unsafe, even late at night. Plaza Major de San Francisco, Plaza Murillo and the Teleferico stations for cable cars to El Alto or Zona Sur aren’t very close, but walkable from the hotel (keep in mind that La Paz has steep hills). The hotel is in an old building with LOTS of staircases and open-air areas. Again, it sounds like a good idea until you have to run across an open terrace in pouring rain to get to your room. Also, access to many (most?) rooms requires climbing at least a few stairs. The walls are paper-thin and you can clearly hear conversations and other sounds from adjoining rooms. And that leads to my next gripe / observation – the room safe requires an advance science degree to operate. I read and re-read the instructions in full before being able to use it. Unfortunately, due to the paper-thin walls and the complexity of the room safe, I was woken up at 3am one night by the folks next door repeatedly failing to open their safe by entering wrong number combinations. I heard every beep of them keying in the numbers, the safe mechanism turning, and then beeping to indicate incorrect numbers. The room has an electric room heater, and extra blankets are available in the cupboard. The free WiFi had a good speed. I thought the buffet breakfast finished early for a hotel aimed at tourists. Food availability was an issue both mornings that I ate there, as popular items ran out and weren’t replaced. I was disappointed by the hotel’s service, particularly due to two incidents: • I got drenched in a sudden downpour one evening, and was told the hotel couldn’t provide an iron and ironing board when I asked, in order to dry my clothes. The person I spoke to didn’t offer any other ideas to help with the situation • I asked the receptionist while checking-out to mail postcards for me, and gave him BOB100 for stamps and his assistance. Those are the only postcards from my South America trip that didn’t arrive Free tea and hot water are available in the lobby area. I won’t stay again at the Hotel Rosario – the hotel, the service and the location just didn’t do it for me, especially for the price I paid. I plan to stay in the trendy Sopocachi area next time I’m in La Paz; or the vibrant San Miguel area in Zona Sur.

While its location is centric, the overall look of it is not the greatest! Outdated basic rooms for a night maybe 2. Breakfast menu is very limited and many of the items do not looked fresh at all! Nearby streets looked quite scary, specially at night, there is sense of not being secure... just my impression as if someone is going to jump out of nowhere... I had a 2 night stay before going to Uyuni and at the end of it, when checking out, the front desk staff was asking in an accusatory tone if I had eaten something from the minibar, which I hadn’t, but they insisted as if I was not telling the truth, the the front desk person went about the amount of towels and the it was “very strange” they left only one when it should have been 3! Once again this was done in a accusatory tone that made me think on offering to open my bags so they could check in wasn’t stealing them! Although I had a reservation for an additional 2 nights, upon returning from Uyuni, I decided to cancel, even losing money from doing it and find a “better” accommodation! I just didn’t feel comfortable being accused like that and no one to rely on for support! Bad experience overall!

On the first night I was in a 4 bed dorm and I was woken up at 4 am by the receptionist and a security guard. They got me out of bed and made me show my room key and guest card, as apparently in their system the room should be empty. Well, I was in the right room and I was taken out of bed without any need, apparently the receptionist registered me on room 307 and gave me the keys of 407. It was very unpleasant and I had a terrible sleep after that. I wonder why they couldn't wait until later to settle the matter. So I went to the reception to negotiate some kind of compensation for the unpleasant situation they had put me through, I suggested a complimentary breakfast (it costs about U$4.50). But they basically replied that they didn't care about the situation and that I could complain wherever I wanted. Selina is not a cheap hostel, so you're expected to at least be treated well, which was not the case. Before this happened, I would easily give it five stars, as it is comfortable, safe, clean. But the way they treated me wasn't fair, they treated me like I was doing something wrong, when in fact it was their mistake. Second night the private room smelled cigarette, I also let reception know but nothing was made. There were some dishes from a previous guest at the door and they stayed there until my check out. Both nights were very noisy. During check out I had to request the refund of the 35bs key deposit they charged me when checking in, but they said it wasn't registered on the system (again another ”system” mistake), so I had to insist I paid, very uncomfortable situation once more. It seems Selina La Paz needs to improve its management. The whole situation will definitely make me think twice about staying at another Selina.

I cannot speak highly enough of the Ritz or its staff. Communications were good in advance as I requested an early check in due to my early flight, and they accommodated this. The arranged for a taxi to collect me from the airport. My room was huge, with massive opening windows (I hate aircon and the feeling of being sealed into a room), there was no aircon in the room but with the windows open I got a lovely breeze. I was at the front, overlooking the road and square, with my windows open, it was very noisy and La Paz is a very full on city, but this did not bother me at all. I would say that if you may want fresh air and you need silence, then maybe request a room not at the front ! An observation is that there was no dish cloths or any linens in the kitchen which I would expect when you have a working kitchen, I did have to give plates a wipe over with a bathroom towel when I washed them. I was able to run a ”tab” of a couple of taxis and also some food and drink from the coffee bar downstairs which I paid in one go as I left, this was helpful too. I cannot praise this hotel highly enough - stay here if you go to La Paz !!

After entering this hotel, the environment is very different from the outside. The hotel facilities are good, the service is good, the room facilities are good, and the ragged environment outside is two worlds. La Paz is at a higher altitude.

Comfortable and well appointed hotel in a safe neighbourhood. Room spacious but no view to speak of: the room pictures taken from select angles. Balcony door did not lock and staff seemed unconcerned. Laundry prices extortionate. Only 250ml of water in room, the rest is charged, which felt unfair given the importance of hydration at high altitude. breakfast box a shambles: stale sandwich and no water and, according to check out staff, no possibility of adding water. Not good enough.

What a beautiful hotel! It is brand new and feels like it. Our room is big, comfortable, clean and stylish. We loved hanging at the pool and hot tub. The staff is extremely helpful and attentive. They contacted us via email to set up a taxi pick up from the airport. The staff also gifted us a cake to celebrate our honeymoon. Highly recommend!

It is speculated that the hotel was opened by the boss in China. The daily necessities in the room are very suitable for the Chinese. There is a hot water bottle, disposable slippers, breakfast is equipped with sweet potato porridge, tomato egg noodles, and mustard butterfly. Can you not love it? Hahaha, I have been missing for more than a month after leaving home.