(Kali) Aggrey Rwitseba, Uganda's delegate to the UN Biodiversity Summit in Cali, has a huge mirror above the bed in his room. Since all the hotels in Cali are full, find a base in a “love hostel” usually reserved for romantic dates.
Of the 40 rooms at Hotel Deseos, 12 were assigned to COP16 participants who, at the last moment, saw, for various reasons, that their reservation had not been confirmed or canceled.
Roommates from other delegations sleep in a round bed or in a room with a bar. pole dance In the middle of the room.
There is no closet in these rooms that are rented for a maximum of three, six or twelve hours.
Photo by Joaquín Sarmiento, AFP
Ugandan delegate to the UN summit, Aggrey Rwitseba, in his hotel room.
Mr. Rwitseba has hung up his suits during the two weeks of the World Conservation Forum, until 1:00 p.m.He is November: to the transparent shower glass that opens directly to the bed.
Some items are folded in a box through which, to ensure discretion, customers are served through a hatch.
“I'm not sure I understand what's so special about this hotel, but I noticed some very special things like the mirror on the ceiling. “I've never seen anything like it,” the Ugandan exclaimed with a broad smile.
In this simply furnished room there is no bedside table, the owners have prepared a table for you where you can place your computer and charge it in the only socket on the wall.
“We have modified our establishment a little to be able to accommodate COP16 guests,” Diana Echeverri, manager of the Decius Motel, told AFP.
“It's very good, very clean,” says Mr Rwitsiba, praising the hospitality of the staff. “We can even go out this way,” he points to a door that gives access to a private parking space behind a rolling gate. Always the greatest recognition for clients who spend a few hours.
“100% occupancy”
Diana Echeverri shows AFP the other rooms in the two-story building reserved for her “regular” clients.
The most luxurious ones have a jacuzzi, large flat screens for watching erotic films, disco lights or a “love chair” to allow a wider range of romantic positions.
Photo by Joaquín Sarmiento, AFP
Deseos Hotel Manager, Diana Echeverri
Prices range from 65,000 to 100,000 Colombian pesos ($21 to $32 CAD) for three hours.
For COP16 delegates, the daily rate is set at 150,000 pesos (48 CAD), including breakfast, which is eaten in offices converted into a dining room.
The “love chairs” or “Kama Sutra hammocks” were removed from their rooms.
METROYo The municipality contacted Echeverry “just a week ago,” but she is happy with the arrival of these long-term clients: “This allows us to ensure that the rooms are occupied for several days, leaving the rooms available to attend to requests.” requests from our regular customers.” »
Cali, with a population of almost 3 million, was chosen as the host city for COP16 in February, after Turkey withdrew in the summer of 2023, after being hit by devastating earthquakes.
During a press conference this week, the mayor of Colombia's second-largest city, Alejandro Eder, noted that hotels are “100% occupied” and that there are no Airbnb-type rentals available. Hence the last-minute request for “Love Motels.”
Because if the first estimates indicate that between 12,000 and 15,000 people will participate in COP16, eventually around 23,000 representatives of governments or NGOs will meet in Cali, making the COP the most followed COP in the world.
After expressing his happiness at the facilities available at the Decius Hotel, Mr Rwitseba spread the word that five other Ugandan delegates, including a woman, are now sleeping at an affordable rate in rooms which he says are “more comfortable” than many traditional hotels. “We are all happy! »
About 166 motels with evocative names have been registered with the Cali Chamber of Commerce: “Aphrodita”, “Kama Sutra”, “Paraiso Romano”, “Cupido”, “Ecstasis”…
These “love motels” are common throughout South America and are popular with young couples or older couples who want to “break the routine.” And for all those who want to remain discreet.
