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Pasto, Colombia, is nicknamed “The Surprise City.” The surprise is supposed to be the area’s beauty. For me, one of the biggest surprises was a trendy new boutique that celebrates local culture and its natural surroundings. Hotel V1501 is elevating the city’s standards of hospitality.
A little background. Pasto is located in southern Colombia, about two hours north of the border with Ecuador. It is the capital of the department, or district, of Nariño. A major city, with multiple universities, churches and cathedrals, and health institutions, Pasto is a popular destination for medical tourism and plastic surgery. It also is the jumping off point for travelers and religious pilgrims who are visiting the famed Las Lajas Sanctuary, which is where I was headed.
More than 400,000 people live in this metropolis that was named for the indigenous people who inhabited the region prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Many residents still identify as Pasto. That cultural heritage is proudly shared through festivals, food, art, and handicrafts.
A defining landmark of this mountainous city in the Andes is the Galeras volcano. Its towering cone can be viewed from just about every point throughout Pasto.
V1501 Showcases Local Color
Opened in late 2021, Hotel V1501 honors the volcano as well as the region’s culture and history. Its name comes from the geological code for the volcano. As such, V1501 is affectionately known to locals as the “Volcano Hotel.”
The exterior sleek, modern structure sits on the corner on a major road just outside of the city center. Its glass walls rise above the surrounding offices and homes. The building was designed by architect and Pasto native Felipe Gomez.
Inside, contemporary design blends with Narinese culture and history. This creative look is the work of interior designer Ana Maria Chaves.
The experience begins at the check-in desk, which sits in front of a two-story wall of technicolor beadwork that alludes to the weaving traditions of Andean tribes. I was told that this is one of the only hotels in the area with 24-hour front desk service.
Pops of bold color are everywhere. A grouping of hanging basket chairs in primary hues offers the perfect spot to relax and people watch. A guest bathroom near the business center is painted in a vibrant shade of turquoise and decorated with a kaleidoscope of 3-D butterflies. And the insides of large black dome pendants glow in crayon shades of yellow, purple, orange, and green.
Traditional artworks by local creatives and references to native flora and fauna also are on display. A rear wall in the lobby showcases a wallpaper that replicates vintage travel posters for local attractions, including the nearby Laguna de la Cocha and, of course, the volcano. Hallways are decked out with basketry and other woven artworks. And lush walls of living plants bring the outdoors in.
On the top floor, which holds conference rooms, the ceiling is covered with eye-catching light fixtures that look like branches and spread throughout the foyer and down the hallways. Hundreds of tiny dome pendants woven from iraca palm leaves and dyed in a variety of fun shades add a whimsical touch to the space. This is a great floor to visit to get panoramic views of the city as well as of the hotel’s namesake geological feature.
The color and indigenous artworks continue into the 87 guest rooms. Most of the room decor is neutral, including minimalist-style furnishings in warm woods, caramel-colored leather and soft gray upholstery, and white linens. This allows the Narinese art to shine. The area rugs mimic the beaded wall behind the front desk. The bathrooms feature bold, geometric patterns on the walls. And some rooms even have the same travel-themed wallpaper as the lobby. Large windows look out over the city.
Dining Options Abound at V1501
Guests have plenty of options for dining. The surrounding neighborhood is filled with restaurants and coffee shops, including numerous eateries that specialize in a Narinese favorite — cuy, or guinea pig. This southern region is the only spot in the country where you’ll regularly find cuy on the menu. And gift shops throughout the city offer a plethora of guinea pig trinkets and souvenirs.
Inside the hotel, guests have two choices: a casual cafeteria on the second floor and a restaurant/bar on the third floor. Both are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and both serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The cafeteria, Muaré, overlooks the hotel lobby and pays homage to the Laguna de la Cocha. A playful hexagonal pattern covers the walls, tabletops, and cafeteria counter. And, just like in the lobby, a living wall adds some calming greenery to the space. But the most eye-catching feature is the ceiling. It is covered with giant neon fish. The fixtures are noticeable from the lobby and even outside. They represent the steelhead and rainbow trout found in La Cocha lagoon.
La Floresta, the full-service restaurant and bar/lounge, showcases the beauty of the La Planada Nature Reserve, which is located about three hours northwest of Pasto. La Floresta recently was recognized as one of the five most important restaurants in Colombia by the Ministry of Tourism.
A wall of colorful plates greets guests and separates the elevators from the dining room. Step back, and you notice that the plates form the face of the Colombian spectacled bear, which lives in La Planada and is listed as threatened.
Dinner at La Floresta ranges from regional takes on Beef Bourguignon to asparagus risotto to octopus with chickpea tahini. And, yes, you can even get cuy tacos, here. The far end of the L-shaped space is the bar. It is decorated with stunning images of local birds, fish, wildlife, flowers, and butterflies. Friendly bartenders pour refreshing cervezas and mix up original cocktails.
The hotel also offers a business center on the third floor with four separate “office” spaces. And it has a spa, Andica, which I didn’t get a chance to visit. The spa includes Turkish baths, a sauna, massage room, and gym. It’s located on the second floor next to Mauré.
If You Go
I was blown away by V1501’s colorful designs and creativity. Most hotels in Pasto are old, small, and bare-boned. I stayed at one business hotel that didn’t even have heat; the staff would come around with hot water bottles to put in your bed to keep you warm. So this modern boutique really stands out. And with prices starting at about $70/night for a standard room, you can’t go wrong. You can also check out Booking.com to see if you can find a better rate and make your reservation.
If you’re traveling to Pasto via Colombia’s capital city, check out the Hotel-Scoop reviews of the Hilton Bogota Corferias and the Central Hilton Bogota.
All photos by Rebecca L. Rhoades.
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