great rate for a suite but definitely not 5 star. I've been to several 5 star hotels around Latin America including poor countries this definitely rated incorrectly. Carpets visibly stained, a/c really a fan, bathroom rusty, the decor definitely needs an update. The grounds are beautiful, restaurants are fair, staff aren't that friendly. Definitely first and last! I was suppose to be here for a week but only stayed 2 days and switched to hotel cochabamba!

When new, Hotel Portales may well have merited its 5-star rating. Grounds and gardens still very lovely, staff tries to be helpful. garden's resident parrot a delightful character. However, our suite looked tired and in need of renovation. There was a powerful smell coming from under the bathroom sink, so much that I began to feel headache/nausea. We were moved to another suite: no smell but fixtures definitely needed renovation; toilet made noise all night. Restaurant Goya at hotel: I ordered a typical Cochabamba dish, sillpancho (thin breaded beef served over rice) and the bottom of the meat was burned black, my spouse's chicken in wine sauce not tasty; service very slow. Local Cochabamban friends said hotel had had 4 or 5 owners in the past decade.

Area was very noisy with nightclubs in front and behind hotel (Carnival was in full swing, not the hotel's fault), too noisy to sleep. We moved to Hotel Diplomat (4 star) and were much happier.

I have now stayed her on busines six times over the past three years.Compared to other Hotels in Cochabamba it is by far the best for food and service. The past two Miss South America contests have benn held here and the Summit for all the Presidents of South America was also held here a year ago. I woul dthink from my experience at this Hotel that the negative reviews of two other posters is biased to be not believable. Many front desk and servers speak good english and I find this hotel to be very safe and secure. The furniture may not be New york five star but the ambience is great, with lots of serious business international personnel.

My husband and I stayed at this hotel in September, 2005. We have both traveled the world extensively and stayed in many top resorts. In addition, in years past as a former flight attendant, I have stayed at every type of hotel imaginible. While it is true that there is no elevator (there are 5 floors) at this hotel, it is important to remember--this is Bolvia. We were surprised to find a room that was impeccably clean although the furnishings are reminiscent of an American 3 star motel. We did not feel disappointed because we were not expecting anything high end in such a poor country. There is a television in each room and one CNN English speaking channel from London. Bottled water was in our room, and we bought more at the tiny quick mart (a 7-11 sized place) across the street. Do not drink the tap water in this country; we even brushed our teeth with the hotel's bottled water -and never had any health problems The pool was sparkling clean, and all of the employees were extremely courteous. Breakfast is served at a poolside restaurant, and there is also a bar area on the other side of the pool. The only consternation we had at check-in was being asked to temporarily leave our passports at the front desk while they made a photocopy. We declined and opted to wait in the lobby while they made copies. Room windows open onto the enclosed courtyard built around the pool, and the air is often cool at the city's high altitude (over 8,000 feet.) Exterior doors open to the outside (see photo) This hotel is also walking distance (1 block) to a restaurant area. All of the hotel employees were well groomed and seemed eager to please, though I was glad that I spoke some Spanish. The front desk clerks and one waitress in the employee restaurant spoke a little English--but should we expect people to speak OUR language in THEIR country? Ask an employee to arrange your taxis ahead of time, especially if you have a wee hours departure to the airport. They will unlock the hotel's gated entrance for you when the proper taxi arrives.