6 Best Hotels in Merida and the Andes, Venezuela

Hands-down the most elegant little posada in town, this quiet gem a short walk from the Plaza Bolívar is the best place to stay, whether you are coming to Mérida for two nights or two weeks. Behind the plain colonial facade lies an elegance rarely found in this country—yet. Kathrin Kocher, the owner, is definitely on the cutting edge. She has covered the multilevel space with simple tiles, lovely window coverings, sublime and understated colors, and tastefully edited local artwork and crafts. The beds are new and the sheets are of high quality. Views of the surrounding mountains are lovely from the rooms that have balconies. Sit by the open-air pond in the lobby, or grab a cushy, mod chair to read some magazines before you hit the town—or use this as your ultimate refuge during the hottest hours of the day. A small restaurant serves simple meals.

The imposing white wall outside this vast property and the lovely hillside drive up toward the reception area are your first two clues that this hotel is out of the ordinary. It sits on a whopping 500,000 square meters of lush, walkable Andean land. At this country inn you can catch trout in a private lagoon and have the chef cook it up for dinner with freshly baked arepas (made with whole-wheat flour in the Andes). Little extras like the down pillows and comforters, cushy bathrobes, and cozy fireplaces make this deluxe mountain retreat worth every bolívar fuerte. All the two-level suites feature spectacular views of the valley; the more luxurious three-bedroom chalets have their own kitchens.

A top choice among picky Venezuelans and an institution in Mérida, Mediterranean-style Belensate is close enough to downtown Mérida that you can get there in just a few minutes, but far enough away that you can soak up the quiet and peace of the surrounding mountains. Rooms, many of which have two floors, are scattered in various buildings across the hotel's sprawling grounds. The open-air dining takes place in well-tended gardens and next to a gorgeous swimming pool. Quite child- and family-friendly, the hotel also caters to couples willing to share the pool with youngsters. La Era, the restaurant right off the lobby, is a great place to have a cold beer and an antipasti plate. They also serve simple risottos, seafood, salads, and meat dishes.

You reach this colonial-era hacienda, which clings to a mountain ridge, via a steep road that takes you literally into the clouds. When it's clear, which is virtually every morning, the view from each of the cozy rooms is breathtaking. Colorful hammocks slung on the lower-level patio command the same view. A two-hour hike takes you to the Aguas Termales de la Musui, a local hot spring where you'll catch sight of Humboldt Glacier. The restaurant ($–$$) serves food worth going out of your way to sample; don't pass up the trout.

True Andean charm and rusticity merge at this family-run posada perched on the Trans-Andean highway. Crafts adorn nearly every available inch; an open-air courtyard lets the sun stream in come morning. Delicious breakfasts are enjoyed on the terrace or in the small restaurant filled with simple wooden chairs.

This tranquil refuge near Tabay is run by a Venezuelan-German couple who work hard to make you feel at home. Every detail is perfect, from the fresh flowers on the tables to the thick comforters piled on the beds. The two tile-roof cabins have handcrafted furnishings and fully equipped kitchens, making them perfect for an extended stay. The staff can arrange for horseback, fishing, and hiking tours. The place is popular, so reservations are necessary at both the hotel and the restaurant.