Hotel Review: Gorgeous Colonial Hotel Dario
The moment I laid eyes
on the chic Colonial facade of Hotel Dario in on Calle de la Calzada in Granada, Nicaragua, it was love at first sight.
Mostly because of the unusual teal and white colour scheme that makes this nineteenth century building’s Colonial architectural details POP! Even though colourful architecture is the norm in Nicaragua (colour is vital in Latin culture), it always catches me off guard – a major change from the neutral stone buildings in most of Europe. Beyond the wrought iron gate, the chunky plaster moulding and the heavy wood trim, I could spy a fairy-tale style courtyard complete with a centered fountain, beautiful landscaping and even more cloister-style architectural details.
Gorgeous! Love the balconies, the symmetry and the colours. (HotelDario.com)
This is the view that caught my eye. Check out the courtyard with fountain inside!
The concierge welcomed me to come in and take a look around, and when I asked if I could snap some photos of the property, she smiled and answered “Como no?!” (“Of course, why not?!) in Spanish and off I went.
AH!! Lovely landscaping leading to a classical Colonial-style fountain.
The courtyard features the same fun colour scheme as the building facade.
The lush greenery compliments the heavy wood work. Love those arches!
I could really see myselfing enjoying a light lunch and some early evening drinks too. (Love the tile)
Hotel Dario's Tranvia Restaurant features gorgeous hand-painted tiles and tablecloth dining. (HotelDario.com)
Rrounded arches, pilasters, curved ceilings, wood columns....need I go on?
A closer look at the wood arches and delicate wood columns.
The beauty is in the details - hand painted ceiling and crystal chandelier greet guests at the hotel reception.
Unfortuantely, the hotel was booked solid, so I wasn’t able to sneak into a room to check out the interior design, but Hotel Dario‘s official website has some great photos of their rooms:
Double Suite: Gorgeous wood flooring, iron and wood headboards, tall ceilings and a neutral colur palette - love it! (HotelDario.com)
Junio Suite King Bed: The simple Colonial furnishings and finishes make this room feel very inviting. (HotelDario.com)
Junior Suites: Check out the pretty round windows and the chunky wood furniture. (HotelDario.com)
I personally did not stay in this hotel, but would have liked to! The prices were very reasonable; there are single rooms, double rooms, and suites available for $75-$125/night. A steal for such a well-designed hotel in a great location (smack in the middle of the main pedestrian-only strip where all the restaurants and night life are).
Jeff and I would love to return to Granada - such a colourful and laid-back city.
Granada is a fabulous Colonial city, definitely worth a visit if you appreciate historical architecture, pedestrian-only streets, a large Parque Central (Park-style Town Square), incredible churches and view of the nearby volcanos and the Great Lake of Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca). I would love to return to colourful Granada, even though it was very touristy with slightly over-priced restaurants, the city’s historical vibe and friendly locals made for a great experience.
Click HERE to get to the Hotel Dario site to make a reservation.
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Welcome to Passport To Design! My name is Tania. I love Design almost as much as I love Travel, and here is where my two loves collide. Check out the "About Me" page for more info. Thanks for reading. Happy travels, my dear design-loving friends.
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| December 18, 2011 at 6:16 pm
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