Repurposed mansions, centuries-old retreats, colonial properties: there’s a stylish boutique hotel for you in Sucre, Bolivia. To help you find your perfect vacation stay, we’ve rounded up the best. Better yet, they’re all bookable on Culture Trip.
Sucre has everything – looks, charm and history. The symbolic heart of the nation, it was where Bolivian independence was first seeded, and later signed. Surrounded by gorgeous valley scenery, the city’s tumble of colonial whitewashed buildings, with their pretty patios and terracotta-tiled roofs are a joy to explore – alongside authentic indigenous markets and atmospheric museums. But picking the perfect boutique base is paramount – so we’ve compiled the following list to help.
The modest corner-of-the-street setting, moments from the Museo de Santa Clara, belies the high level of comfort and design at this smart little hotel. Glossy, freestanding baths in the open-plan bedrooms, as well as iPod docks, Frette linen and trendy metro-style tiles contrast cleverly with the exposed beams and wooden floors. Start the day with a cooked-to-order breakfast on the sun-soaked roof terrace, where views over the rooftops or across to the mountains will put you in the exploring mood.
This well-restored historic mansion, dating from 1860, will bowl you over with its striking red pillars, serene terraces crammed with herbs in terracotta pots, and tropical gardens buzzing with hummingbirds. Views over the crumbling city rooftops – stretching to snowy peaks beyond – are instantly soothing, as are the simply decorated rooms with wooden furniture handmade by a local charity. Breakfast on buttery pastries and freshly squeezed fruit juice as you flick through the owner’s book on the history of Sucre and the ancient house.
This refined colonial hotel close to the main plaza was once a stately home and stables. Thankfully, it has retained much of the 18th-century charm, with warm wooden floors, antiques and an arcaded courtyard. Décor-wise, expect period furniture and fittings, thick red drapes with gilt tassels, and canopied brass beds. Want a bit more space? Book the superior master suite, which also comes with a less-historical hot tub. Dine by candlelight in the intimate Watanay – a series of atmospheric underground chambers.
Compared to the decadently OTT, Versailles-like décor of the public areas in this 16th-century hotel, the bedrooms are surprisingly simple. That said, they’re peaceful and generously sized, and come with green views over the flower-filled central courtyard. The hotel is five minutes’ walk from the vibrant Central Market in Sucre, where a restaurant at the entrance dishes up some of the best chorizos chuquisaqueños (spicy pork sausages) in Bolivia.
With a cheerful white and mustard-yellow façade, sunny terraces (with city views) and excellent push-the-boat-out breakfasts (the apple and lemon pie is a must-try), you’ll feel right at home in this trad family-run hotel. Rooms are cozy and in keeping with the colonial heritage of the hotel, with tiled floors, chandeliers and antique brass bed frames. A five-minute stroll brings you to Plaza 25 de Mayo, a central hub for exploring the city – starting, perhaps, with the renaissance Sucre Cathedral with its distinctive bell tower.
This low-rise colonial mansion is an easy six-minute walk from the local landmark, Sucre Cathedral. Dark wooden floorboards, ochre walls and textural local artwork make for romantically atmospheric rooms – but throw open the curtains, and you’ll find private balconies overlooking the prettily planted courtyard. If the in-house continental breakfast doesn’t do it for you, sample authentic Bolivian fare at nearby Los Tejados Restaurant, which serves clay oven-baked bread each morning.
Looking for historical authenticity? The arched brick-and-beam ceilings, terracotta floor tiles and colonnaded staircases in this tucked-away hotel will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Exposed brick walls, antique gold mirrors and claw-foot bathtubs add a patina of colonial chintz, while keeping things warm and cozy. Play a game of darts or billiards in the games room, or, if you’re in the mood for a cultural hit, the Museo de Santa Clara – housed in a former convent – is a short walk away.
Fuss-free whitewashed walls, exposed dark wood beams and traditionally tiled floors uphold the elegant colonial look at this deceptively spacious mansion house. The addition of tasteful indigenous objets d’art, billowy net curtains and cloud-white bed linens add welcome tactility. Request a peaceful room on the first floor for views of the ancient apricot tree in the garden, and dine on the outside terrace on excellent comida típica (a range of traditional foods).
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