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There are several hotels to choose from in Villa de Leyva, which makes it difficult to find the right place.
Villa Pepita Real
We spent our first three nights in the historic city center at Villa Pepita Real. It’s a guesthouse located just a couple blocks from Plaza Mayor. There are a few modern guest rooms available as well as free parking. Breakfast is not included, but there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance.
We couldn’t have been happier with the room. It was spacious, clean, and very comfortable. The bed was a bit too small for two, but it worked.
Villa Pepita Real is run by a family who live in a separate building on the grounds. They’re very friendly and enthusiastic about helping their guests. They did their best to make sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed during our stay. We stayed for three nights.
Little Glass House
Another two nights were spent at Little Glass House, which is located on a ridge a few minutes drive outside of Villa de Leyva. We had high expectations for it based on ratings and reviews we read, but it was a bit of a disaster from the start.
First of all, the location on Google Maps was completely wrong. We had to call the owners and ask for directions. Unfortunately, there was no sign in front of the property indicating it was Little Glass House. Instead, there was a small sign in front for Las Carcabas. A private house is in the front of the property and the two cabins are behind it.
When we arrived, we were greeted by Javi, who we followed down to the cabins. There are two small cabins with a bed, tables, mosquito nets, and lamps. Unfortunately, the bed was very soft and sunk in the middle. It was very uncomfortable, and we woke up with back and neck pain. The mosquito nets, however, made a huge difference, although we still had a few bugs creep in.
The bathroom and shower were located outside the room and were shared with the other cabin. We knew this going in, but it was still kind of a pain, especially since the other couple weren’t very clean. It was also annoying to have to walk out to the bathroom in the rain.
Breakfast is served outside the cabin at a small picnic table. It was so-so, and we weren’t sure why the reviews said it was wonderful.
The only real positives we found were the host, Javi and Ceci, who were very friendly and helpful. They tried to make us feel at home and were always smiling. The views of Villa de Leyva and the surrounding area were also nice.
Casa del Arte (Permanently Closed)
On another trip, I stayed at Casa del Arte, which is located about a 10 minute drive north of town on the road to Iguaque and Arcabuco. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place with a very hospitable owner, Nelly. She’s an artist, hence the name Casa del Arte, and goes out of her way to make her guests feel at home.
The rooms are very comfortable and extremely clean. It’s nice and quiet at night, with only the sounds of the crickets and frogs. Breakfast is delicious, and consists of fresh fruit, fresh juice, eggs, warm bread with jam, and coffee or hot chocolate.
On the grounds are a small pond with papyrus as well as a teepee for gatherings.
It might be a little far from town, but it’s a great place to relax and unwind. There’s a bus that passes by occasionally, or you can call a taxi.
Conclusion
Overall, we think it’s easiest to stay in town every night. Villa Pepita Real was in the heart of town, and we were able to step outside and find a good place to eat within a few minutes. Little Glass House has the nice view and natural setting, but if you don’t have transportation, you’re stuck walking a half hour into town or paying for a taxi both ways. Casa del Arte is a little better situated, so that’s an exception.
Furthermore, because of the price, photos, and reviews of Little Glass House, we were expecting something a bit less rustic and more modern and romantic. The bathroom situation was fine, but the quality of the mattress and the mosquitoes ruined it for us. Little Glass House has a lot of potential, but Javi and Ceci need to improve the cabins to justify the price.
However, after staying at Casa del Arte, being outside of town wasn’t as bad as when we stayed at Little Glass House. It was much easier to get into town by bus, and the room was fantastic. It’s well worth the price.
