Caracas
Political upheaval grabs all the headlines in Caracas, obscuring the fact that business is still going on and caraqueños continue to be serious players. An oil power for decades, Venezuela has an infrastructure – including outstanding restaurants – that accommodates corporate travelers.
Sleeping
Radisson Plaza Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites. This complex features upscale shopping, dining, theater and nightlife. In-room amenities include touch-screen computers and highspeed Internet. The poolside restaurant turns out delicious steaks and seafood platters. Rooms start at $149, or $239 for a suite. www.radisson.com
J.W. Marriott. A large solarium with a rectangular lap pool and full spa greets you at the door of this downtown hotel that opened in 2002. The 269 rooms and executive suites have views of Mount Avila and the city – but there’s an even better vista from the rooftop concierge lounge. Rooms, which run from $99 to $200 a night, have work areas with multiple data ports and CD players. www.marriott.com
Hilton Caracas. Amenities at this busy older hotel include two tennis courts, two pools, a spa and a sauna – and the location is less than two miles from the city center. You’re walking distance from the beautiful Teresa Carreño performing arts complex. In addition to the business center and cell-phone rental, there’s also a cybercafe. Guest rooms have highspeed Internet. Rates from $90 to $220. www.hilton.com
Relaxing
Monte Carmelo. For Venezuelans more accustomed to Caribbean beaches, the Andes town of Mérida – with its snow-capped Pico Bolívar – is an exotic destination (and a local favorite for honeymooners). Trout run in pristine streams, little Andean villages turn out homemade breads and cheeses and horses are available for those who want to see the region close up. The most popular lodging comes in the form of posadas – or guesthouses. Monte Carmelo, a restored colonial country house, is one of the loveliest. A two-night package begins at $240 and includes meals. www.andes.net/montecarmelo
Eating
Tarzilandia. Seafood and steaks cooked Venezuelan style in an exotic jungle-like setting, as the name might imply, has kept this restaurant in business since 1950. Try pabellon criolla, the national dish. www.tarzilandia.com
Sotto Voce. This eatery bills itself as Mediterranean but the kitchen adds Venezuelan flavors, including mango and coconut. The ambience is simple and elegant and the service is first-rate. Sotto Voce is tucked into Caracas’ hot restaurant row, known locally as the cuadra gastronómica. Avenida 2 at the 4th Transversal in Los Palos Grandes; phone: 58-212-285-8510.
Da Guido. Hams hanging from the ceiling and murals of the Italian countryside leave no doubt about the cuisine here. This Italian bistro is a long-time local favorite. Avenida Mariscal Francisco Solano 8, phone: 58-212-763-0937.
Drinking
‘Where’s the rumba?’ is the after-dark catch phrase in Caracas. The style society set frequents the elegant bar
at Malabar in the Las Mercedes district, where you’re likely to see designer-clad starlets lounging on the terrace. www.malabar.com.ve But Central Comercial San Ignacio is the critical mass spot for serious partying, led by bars like Zuca. San Ignacio recently saw the debut of Loft, the city’s first nightclub with a retractable roof. That salsa-under-the-stars option is grabbing the crowds: phone: 58-212-267-8998. One of the city’s hottest dance clubs with live music is El Maní es Asi on Calle El Cristo in Sabana Grande.
Shopping
When the Spanish explorers didn’t find a bounty of silver or gold in Venezuela, they settled for something nearly as good: chocolate. OK, it was cacao, but the cacao harvested in Venezuela makes exceptional chocolate. Belgians Ludo and Lisette Gillis direct the handmade-chocolate operations at the city’s quintessential chocolatier: La Praline on Avenida Andres Bello in Los Palos Grandes; phone: 58-212-284-7986.