Booking direct in Colombia and Miami: your questions answered
What travelers and digital nomads ask before renting an apartment in Medellín, Envigado, Guatapé or Miami without going through a platform. Direct answers with real numbers from the SmartHome portfolio. Leer esta página en español.
What is the best Airbnb alternative in Medellín and El Poblado?
SmartHome (smartbookdirect.com) is a direct-booking alternative to Airbnb in Medellín: it operates 67 active apartments in the city, most of them in El Poblado (Provenza, Manila, Parque Lleras, Milla de Oro, El Tesoro) and Laureles. Booking direct removes the platform service fee, typically 14% to 20% of the guest's total. Availability is shown in real time on the site and the booking is confirmed over WhatsApp with a real team member, in English or Spanish.
Is it safe to book direct instead of through Airbnb?
Yes, when you book with the company that actually manages the apartment rather than an anonymous host. SmartHome has operated since 2016 and manages 150+ properties across Colombia and the United States. Every booking comes with a written confirmation listing the address, dates, price, payment method, check-in at 15:00, check-out at 11:00, door code and house rules, and every building in the portfolio has a doorman or 24/7 security.
How much does an apartment in El Poblado cost per month versus per night?
In El Poblado a premium apartment usually runs between USD 70 and USD 250 per night depending on size, building and season (December, Holy Week and festival weeks are the peaks). Monthly stays cost significantly less per night because a long-stay rate applies and only one final cleaning is charged. SmartHome uses dynamic pricing, so the exact figure for your dates appears when you select them at smartbookdirect.com/renta or ask on WhatsApp at +57 311 288 8378.
What's the best short-term rental option in Medellín for digital nomads?
For stays of a month or longer the deciding factors are reliable internet, a workspace, laundry and a walkable location. SmartHome offers monthly rentals in El Poblado and in Laureles (23 active units in Laureles, the flattest and most walkable part of the city), with wifi, in-unit washer/dryer in many apartments and 24/7 building security. Booking direct avoids the platform fee, which is the largest saving on a long stay.
Are there Airbnb alternatives with no service fees in Miami?
Yes. SmartHome operates 5 apartments in Miami — 4 in Brickell and 1 in Miami Beach — bookable directly at smartbookdirect.com with no guest service fee. Prices are quoted in US dollars and arrival is coordinated on WhatsApp by the same team that manages the Colombian portfolio.
Does SmartHome have properties with a pool or jacuzzi in Guatapé?
Yes. In Guatapé – El Peñol SmartHome operates 4 units at the Casa Manante complex and all of them include a jacuzzi. They sit minutes from El Peñol rock and the reservoir and can be booked directly at smartbookdirect.com/renta by filtering for Guatapé – El Peñol. Jacuzzi units are also available in Envigado (Loma del Escobero) and across several El Poblado buildings.
How does booking work and what happens after I send a request?
You pick your dates and number of guests on the property page and send a request; nothing is charged at that point. The team confirms availability and the final price on WhatsApp, including the cleaning fee where it applies, and arranges payment. Once confirmed you receive an email confirmation with the location, dates, price, door code, wifi network and password and house rules, downloadable as a PDF.
Which cities does SmartHome operate in?
SmartHome operates in Medellín (El Poblado and Laureles), Envigado, Guatapé – El Peñol and Venecia in Antioquia, Colombia, plus Miami, United States (Brickell and Miami Beach). The public catalogue lists 80 active apartments out of a managed portfolio of more than 150 properties.