Restoration Of A Colonial Jewel

Location:
Nicaragua

Amazing Elegance Luxury

Hotel La Bocona is now a six guestroom/ three courtyard, amazing colonial hotel and spa to be enjoyed by travelers from all corners of the world who come to Granada, Nicaragua--looking for an authentic portal to exciting times gone by in Latin-American history.

This 2000 square meter mansion was originally built over a seven year period by 1860 by a highly-respected, wealthy businessman and politician named Agustin Gomez. (It was still owned by the family until 2007.)

An architectural showpiece, the home included all colonial period features including cathedral ceilings throughout, solid wood ornate doors, pillars, chandeliers and curtain rods, embellished wood sun-catchers above the doors and of course, Spanish courtyards of tailored gardens inside.

Due to unfortunate political circumstances in the latter part of the twentieth century, the home fell victim to neglect. Motivated to save the now two properties and preserve the architectural heritage of the city, the current owner purchased all of what was the original mansion and began a renovation in 2007 that would last two years, re-establishing the home's original glory.

Mindful to respect all colonial details, the owner decorated with more than one hundred pieces of Nicaraguan antique furniture, some contemporary Danish-designed furniture and accented the mansion with the largest collection of the world-renowned Dirk De Bruycker's paintings. The synergy of these decorative elements woven together with the majestic architecture creates an ambient worthy of the deserving traveler who has come so far for that glimpse of the luxurious, colonial times of yesteryear.

Today, the mansion operates as Hotel La Bocona, named for the famous landmark "La Piedra Bocona" that sits diagonal to the front door, across the street. Half of all revenue goes to support Carita Feliz, a charitable entity that offers personal, professional, health and educative programs to young people and serves more than one hundred thousand meals annually to children and other local community members of little means.

Further Information

Travel tips: Try to get a room and stay but, if the hotel is full--at least take a tour with staff member!

Must see/do at this place: Make a point to visit Mi Museo--the PreColumbian ceramic museum.

You should avoid here: Make sure to always have enough water on hand--Granada can get very hot!