Sometimes, a place just needs to be “put on the map.” Once a place is so called discovered, a tornado of tourist fanfare can happen. Iceland had such a discovered moment a decade and a half ago, as did Cuba once the US allowed Americans to easily travel to the once closed off island. Perhaps Bolivia is about to be put on the map, too.
“We got on TIME Magazine’s 100 places to visit, and that was our moment,” said Fernando Rodriguez, founder of Panorama Hospitality Group and owner of the MET Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia. “Then right after, Mr. and Mrs. Smith called to say they wanted the MET as their only Bolivian property.” Rodriguez and his brother opened Atix, their first Bolivian hotel, in 2016, and followed it with the 75 room MET Hotel in 2022.
Tourists from around the globe seem to be taking note as La Paz blooms into a culinary, art, and hospitality mecca in the mountains. I stayed at the MET Hotel in July of this year in route to Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest (and highest) salt flat. Spectacular salt flats aside, I could immediately sense La Paz is soon to be a destination in itself, particularly as a hotel like the MET becomes a coveted urban respite.
Rodriguez called upon local Bolivian architect Ivan Valdez to collaborate on the design of the MET’s structure alongside the Zaha Hadid Architects in London. “I saw one of Valdez’s bank buildings in the neighborhood and knew we had to have him design the MET,” enthuses Rodriguez. The hotel is svelte with long rectangular windows and discreet shading that allow mountain views from every room. I enjoyed how radiant the hotel is, from the sun-drenched lobby to my room which was flooded with morning light at sunrise. A complement to the mountain airiness was the beautiful textiles, pillows, and weave work throughout my room, all sourced fromJalq’a culture in Southern Bolivia.
Another one of Rodriguez’s collaboration partners for the MET Hotel, Mariano Ugalde from SALAR GALERIA DE ARTE, has certainly added to La Paz’s rising “on the map” status. The hotel is meticulously filled with contemporary artworks from early to mid-career local artists. My favorite piece is a photograph by Rover Claure that depicts an Aymara doctor, draped in a traditional red garment, looking towards the sun with virtual reality glasses strapped around his head. The contrast is amusing, a bit unsettling, and intriguing, all elements of Claure’s work to reimagine the classic Bolivian work, The Little Prince. A close second favorite work of mine is a wire sculpture by Andres Pereira Paz, a delicate piece that floats off the wall in the lobby, showcasing a sun, feet, birds, and more. Great art sets a tone to a space, and the tone Ugalde helped set in the MET was one of now and alive.
With two moment creating hotels completed, I had to ask Rodriguez what was next. I wasn’t surprised to hear the brothers will be expanding to Salar de Uyuni with an art-forward, 10-room property opening this February. “It will be a homage to the late Gaston Ugalde, the man considered the father of contemporary Bolivian art, who owned Salar Galería de ART until his passing,” explained Rodriguez. I can’t wait to see the design and Ugalde’s vivid works contrasted with the brilliant white of the salt flats. “It’s another reason to visit Bolivia,” said Rodriguez. “The world is feeling bullish about Bolivia.” I agree.
The MET Hotel's restaurant, DOMINGA, is airy and surrounded by works selected by SALAR GALERIA DE ARTE.
The spa area of the MET Hotel.
One of the MET Hotel's 75 rooms.
The lobby of the MET Hotel showcases two of my favorite pieces.
