Gloria Hotel
A colonial-era stay tucked into central Paramaribo
Why Go
Behind a quiet Gongrijpstraat facade sits one of Paramaribo's most unassuming secrets: a rambling colonial house turned family-run hotel, where an elevator hides among the wooden staircases and a pool sparkles in the courtyard out back.
The Experience
Gloria Hotel feels less like a chain property and more like being handed the keys to a friend's rambling old Surinamese townhouse. The building leans into its colonial bones ΓÇö high ceilings, timber accents, and a layout that meanders ΓÇö while the rooms have been kept practical with cold AC, hot showers, and simple, tidy finishes. Staff greet you like a returning cousin rather than a booking reference, and the on-site restaurant means you can roll straight from bed to breakfast to pool without ever crossing the threshold. It's the sort of place travelers pick when they want to be within walking distance of Paramaribo's historic core but would rather sleep somewhere with character than a corporate lobby.
What to Try
Take breakfast in the interior dining area before the heat sets in, then spend the middle of the day in the pool ΓÇö it's the property's not-so-secret weapon on the hotter Paramaribo afternoons. Ask the front desk to point you toward the nearby Gongrijpstraat food scene: 'ΓÇÿT Vat sidewalk cafe and 168 Restaurant are both an easy stroll for a casual dinner, and 4x4xJankie or 88 Car Rental Suriname can put you behind the wheel for a day trip to Brownsberg or Commewijne.
Insider Tip
Housekeeping tends to leave rooms alone unless you flag it at reception ΓÇö if you want fresh towels or a proper tidy, just ask on your way out in the morning. And don't bypass the elevator: with luggage in the Paramaribo humidity, the extra minute waiting for it beats hauling bags up the old colonial stairs.
The Practical Stuff
Address: RRXW+263, Gongrijpstraat, Paramaribo, Suriname. Category: mid-range hotel in central Paramaribo. Payment is generally cash-friendly (SRD and USD) ΓÇö confirm card acceptance at check-in. Book directly or via Booking.com/Tripadvisor; rates tend to sit in the affordable-to-mid tier for the city. English and Dutch are both spoken at reception.
Pair It With
- 'ΓÇÿT Vat Sidewalk Cafe — A five-minute walk from the hotel and Paramaribo's classic expat-and-locals hangout for a cold Parbo beer after a day of sightseeing.
- 168 Restaurant Guide — Nearby Chinese-Surinamese spot that's perfect when you want a filling, no-fuss dinner without booking a taxi.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Around the corner from Gloria Hotel ΓÇö grab a car here for a self-drive day out to Commewijne's plantations or the coastal road.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — An easy add-on adventure booking for guests who want a river-based day trip to break up the city stay.