Where to Stay in Medellín with Kids (3 Easy Picks)
Updated October 2025 • We haven’t stayed yet, this is the shortlist we’d book today from real parent reviews + location checks. We’ll update after our Colombia leg with photos + tweaks.
We’re a slightly overwhelmed family of four who care about two things: Genuine experiences and non overly touristy adventures. Medellín is “eternal spring,” so our routine is parks and museums by morning, chill time in the early afternoon, and then out again early evening.
Here are the three stays we’d actually choose, each aimed at a specific family need: a walkable base with kitchen space, a pool-forward option, and a best-value under £50 pick.
For a quick guide, here is a rundown of the best hotels in Medellin
➡️ Best Overall Hotel in Medellin: Book SITES Hotel Medellín
➡️ Best Hotel with a Pool in Medellin: Book InterContinental Medellín
➡️ Best Value Hotel Under $50 in Medellin: Book Hotel Vivre
Medellín neighbourhoods at a glance (for families)
El Poblado (Provenza/Golden Mile): safest, most hotel options, great restaurants; can be hilly and lively on weekends. Good if you want convenience and services.
Laureles–Estadio: flatter, tree-lined, more residential, plenty of cafés and parks, easy family rhythms (and usually better value than Poblado).
Envigado: calmer, local vibe just south of Poblado; lovely residential feel but farther from main sights, best if you want slow days.
The 3 Easy Picks (we’d book one of these, no endless lists)
1) Best Walkable Base: SITES Hotel Medellín (El Poblado)
Why we picked it: Suite-style units with full kitchens (stovetops, microwaves, dining areas) mean simple kid meals and doors that actually close. Rooftop terrace/pool and gym on site; you’re near the Poblado “Golden Mile” for groceries and cafés.
Good to know: No “resort” pool scene, this is more appartment-hotel convenience. Poblado is walkable but hilly; choose a quieter, upper room if your kids are light sleepers on weekends.
2) Pool Time for the Kids: InterContinental Medellín (El Poblado/Las Palmas hillside)
Why we picked it: A legit large outdoor pool plus a children’s pool—rare in Medellín—so the kids can splash for hours. Big-hotel perks (tennis, space to roam) and easy taxi access to Poblado or Laureles for dinners.
Good to know: Not in the thick of Provenza nightlife; it’s a hillside property where taxis are your friend. Families rate the pool setup highly for downtime between outings.
3) Best Value Under £50: Hotel Vivre (Laureles)
Why we picked it: Wallet-friendly Laureles base near La 70 and the stadium area, breakfast available, and rooms that work for small families—often from about $49 (≈£38) on off-peak dates. It keeps the budget happy without sacrificing walkability.
Good to know: Simple, clean hotel—not a pool property. Ask for a quieter upper floor; cafés and bakeries are close by for easy mornings.
How we choose (quickly, like parents do)
Walkability: food/play within 10–15 minutes
Room setup: suite/loft or at least space to put kids down early
Cool-down: pool or a nearby park if not available
Food: in-room kitchen or kid-friendly options steps away
Recent parent reviews: we prioritise consistent family feedback over one-offs
Read More: Where To Stay In Colombia (Top 3 Bases)
Safety & practical stuff for families
Altitude & climate: Medellín sits in a valley with mild temps (“springlike”), not coastal heat, layers over swim gear.
Taxis & rides: Use ride apps; expect 10–25 minutes by taxi between Poblado/Laureles, depending on traffic.
Parks & green time: Laureles has leafy streets and small playgrounds; Poblado has cafés and malls for easy food runs.
Evenings: Stick to main restaurant corridors in Poblado/Laureles; switch to ride apps after dark (standard big-city sense).
Getting around & when to book
Base choice: If you want hotel services + kitchens, Poblado (SITES). If you want calmer, flatter wanders and better value, Laureles (Vivre or apartment hotels).
When to book: Weekends and festival weeks fill fast; shoulder weekdays = best value (that’s when Vivre most often dips under £50).
Flights: Compare options here
Other Places To Stay In Medellin
Family logistics near each area (quick hits)
El Poblado: supermarkets on the Golden Mile, heaps of restaurants, malls with food courts (predictable kid options).
Laureles: cafés/bakeries galore, tree-lined streets for short strolls, stadium/La 70 area for eats (ask for quieter rooms off the main drag).
Read more: Cost off living in Colombia
FAQ (for parents, by parents)
Is Medellín safe with kids?
Stick to Poblado/Laureles/Envigado routines, keep phones tucked away, and use ride apps at night, standard big-city sense.
Which area is best with younger kids?
If you want suite space + kitchens with easy services: Poblado (SITES). If you want flatter, quieter walks and value: Laureles (Vivre/apt-hotels).
Where can kids actually swim?
Medellín city hotels with big pools are rarer, InterContinental has a large outdoor pool + children’s pool; some aparthotels have smaller rooftop plunge pools.
Final Thoughts: Where We’d Stay in Medellín With Kids
We haven’t made it to Medellín yet, but after weeks of planning routes through Colombia, this is where we’d start if we were booking tomorrow. Every spot on this list came from a mix of family reviews, local expat forums, and travel blogs that felt lived-in, not polished.
Laureles still sounds like the easiest base for everyday life, walkable, green, and full of cafés that don’t mind kids. El Poblado wins for short stays or a soft landing after flying in, with parks and grocery options nearby. And Envigado, just outside the centre, looks like that slower stretch of suburbia that families always end up loving once the novelty wears off.
When we finally get there, we’ll update this with real photos, street names, and the spots that actually worked. Until then, consider this a research-backed first draft, built for families trying to picture what daily life in Medellín could look like, before they book.
