I don't know what they remodeled, but it surely wasn't the beds and decor. The restaurant did not offer what they advertised as far as the various types of cuisine. When we first pulled up in front of the hotel, I thought it was closed. No curb appeal, and the pool needed resurfacing or painting. Very tacky. My worst fears come true. Staff was not very experienced in customer service, nor did they make an effort to know some english to greet amercian or english speaking guests.

The pool is fabulous. It was our favorite thing about this hotel. The rooms are average looking, but very clean and spacious. The restaurant on the first floor has nice breakfasts and coffee, and the waiters are more than happy to bring your drinks or food over to the pool-- which is very nice. Antonio and Oscar are the nicest, sweetest waiters we had in La Paz, and they both work at the hotel in the morning and around lunchtime. Bugambilias is also a great price, and is perfectly located four blocks from the Malecon, and about a ten minute walk to the center of downtown La Paz. Nearby is a local pottery factory, beautiful churches, delicious taco stands and music and endless dulcerias. We loved Hacienda Bugambilias and it definitely shined over the other divey hotels we saw along the Malecon.

I used to love the Gardenias and stayed there lots over the years, I was just there Jan 08 and it appears that someone from France bought it and raised the rates from $50 to $70 and tore out the locked gated parking area. They have done some improvements, like paint murals around the interior walls and are putting in European style restaurant. For some reason the beds we got this time were ROCK hard as well. We used to value the big, locked gate at night on the large parking area for our truck and windsurfing equipment. I still think this is a nice place in a residential type neighborhood that is probably a 15 minute walk to the center of town. Maybe this is one of those things that when you liked something and you didnt need the changes, nor the $20 increase it makes you want to look elsewhere to see what you can get for $70, or what you can find for $50. You know what I mean? Oh, by the way, they changed the name to Bugambillas or something like that!

Hotel Gardenias is a great place to stay if you're visiting La Paz on a budget, or if you want to avoid American tourists. Management was very accomodating of our 20-person group.
The atmosphere is currently a little faded-- you can see how the lobby and pool area were probably glamourous in the 70s. But they're renovating, so it could be snazzier in a few months.

Pros:
-clean
-nice pool
-quiet
-inexpensive

Cons:
- noisy air conditioner
- a little far from town, albeit walkable and fine with a car
- very basic amenities