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Which are the best luxury hotels in Cartagena, Colombia? Our list includes InterContinental Cartagena, Bastión Luxury Hotel, Casa San Agustin, Charleston Santa Teresa, Hyatt Regency Cartagena, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Tcherassi Hotel, and Hilton. There is no Four Seasons in Cartagena.
Colombia is situated on the northernmost tip of South American. The rainforest-covered country of Colombia boasts the Andes mountains, numerous coffee plantations, wonderful colonial architecture, and plenty of fabulous all-night salsa clubs.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias is an unmissable city in Colombia and is now Colombia’s main travel destination. Cartagena is the most popular tourist destination in Colombia, a place where the magic of the old city meets modernism and where you’ll find a warm-hearted welcome from locals.
Its walls that once served as the city’s defense, but now they harmonize with colonial balconies and republican structures reminiscent of the splendors of its past. In recognition of its vast cultural wealth and architecture, UNESCO declared Cartagena’s walled city and fortresses World Heritage Site in 1984.
1. InterContinental Cartagena
InterContinental Cartagena is located on the waterfront Bocagrande. The InterContinental Cartagena de Indias offers seaside sophistication and upscale amenities. It has one of the best club lounges in Cartagena too.
With a privileged location in waterfront Bocagrande, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city, InterContinental Cartagena is blocks away from the beautiful bay of Castillogrande, five minutes from the old city, and 15 minutes from Rafael Núñez International Airport.
The rooms here are stylish and modern with hardwood floors and floor to ceiling windows. Book a Club Room and you will have access to their InterContinental Club Lounge which offers breakfast, snacks during the day, and evening drinks and canapes.
There have been very few reviews of the executive club lounge at this InterContinental but you can see what we have experienced in terms of food and drink at the club lounge at InterContinental O2 in London and the club lounge at InterContinental Park Lane which will give you an idea of what to expect. This will undoubtedly be one of the best club lounges the city with a substantial hot and cold buffet and a la carte breakfast and evening canapes and alcoholic drinks.
2. Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is really special with just 123 beautiful guestrooms. It is one of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena.
Originally built as a convent in 1621, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is a legendary landmark in the heart of Cartagena’s walled city. Transformed into a luxury hotel in 1995, the Sofitel Santa Clara, unique in style, combines the allure of history with the art of French savoir-faire.
Mixing Colonial and Republican-style architecture with modern comfort, the hotel features gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, a world-class spa, meeting facilities, and state of the art technology for events, conventions, and weddings.
After more than a decade in service, the hotel has been recognized as “Best Hotel in Colombia” in Travel + Leisure’s Spanish edition. In 2009, the hotel is pleased to be included in Condé Nast Traveler prestigious Gold List for the first time and a proud member of Virtuoso’s exclusive travel network, which means you get benefits here, much like you do at most of the hotels that we feature, by booking your stay via our luxury travel concierge.
Guestrooms are distributed along a Colonial and Republican wing and overlook the Old Town, the Caribbean Sea as well as the hotel’s poolside and interior courtyards. They are decorated in contemporary or authentic colonial style and feature the Sofitel MyBed concept for a calm and peaceful sleep guaranteed.
In terms of dining, “El Claustro” (cloister) restaurant has a brasserie atmosphere and fare. Guests can enjoy delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner either buffet style or à la carte. Open from 6:30 am daily. Another great option is “El Coro”, named after its convent’s choir, and offering an exclusive lounge bar offering signature cocktails, cigars, and live music from Thursday to Saturday.
Designed to transform body and soul, LeSpa at the Sofitel Santa Clara is huge at 800 m² and offers fully equipped cabins and professionally trained staff. Select from an array of facials, deluxe treatments, rituals, or special packages all year round.
3. Casa San Agustin
Casa San Agustin is a little boutique hotel in lively Cartagena. This romantic boutique hotel offers charming and authentic rooms with large picture windows and super balconies that both enjoy plenty of natural light and breezes.
This elegant boutique hotel, one of the best boutique hotels in Colombia, is comprised of just 31 rooms set within the Walled City of Cartagena. These rooms are spread across three exquisitely restored, whitewashed 17th-century colonial-era homes with thoughtful details that evoke the Spanish stronghold. Some of the rooms even have private plunge pools and these are the ones to pick.
You will discover original frescoes in the Library, hand-wrought iron sconces, wood-beamed ceilings, elegant tile accents, and a central pool set against an ancient aqueduct.
Accommodations are stylish, blending the hotel’s colonial past and contemporary Colombian energy. The acclaimed Alma Restaurant offers traditional Colombian flavors, presented with global refinement in an atmospheric indoor-outdoor setting.
Hotel Casa San Agustín is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and has earned numerous awards since opening in 2013, including TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards 2013 to 2017 and Andrew Harper’s Grand Awards 2015.
4. Hyatt Regency Cartagena
Hyatt Regency Cartagena is a modern oceanfront hotel near Cartagena’s Historic Center. With an Aqoral Spa, two fabulous restaurants and infinity pools with Caribbean and city views.
The Regency Club Lounge is worth trying. The breakfast and dinner are very generous. Dinner includes two hot meat dishes, shrimp, and salads plus veggies, guacamole, cheeses, cold cuts, chips, bread, and dessert. More than enough for a full dinner.
The old city is less than a mile away, around a 15-20 minute walk. Rooms are soundproofed and airconditioned.
5. Tcherassi Hotel & Spa
Another boutique hotel in Cartagena is the boutique Tcherassi Hotel and Spa and this hotel is one of the best in Colombia. It has just 7 oversized luxury guestrooms but don’t let its small size fool you; there is a beautiful spa and two pools (one on the rooftop) an exceptional restaurant and a trendy, chic bar.
The views from the rooftop pool are amazing; 360 degrees overlooking the city and sea below. The interior designed rooms all include private walk-out balconies. The hotel is located in the heart of the old city of Cartagena; legendary in Colombia for its colonial architecture; its old town is a Unesco World Heritage site wrapped in an impressive 13km of ancient stone walls.
6. Bastión Luxury Hotel
Bastión Luxury Hotel is located Cartagena’s old town, Colombia, built on the site of an old XVIth-century colonial house. This hotel has been specially designed to offer guests unique experiences that will allow them to discover all the secrets of this fascinating city. This hotel beautifully combines 16th-century craftsmanship with a gorgeous, panoramic pool. Each room is unique and stylish, some come with twin beds if you are traveling with your family. All have a colonial feel.
7. Conrad Cartagena
The Conrad Cartagena is the only Conrad by Hilton resort in the Caribbean and the first in South America. It brings large-scale luxury to Colombia’s northern coast, with a slick style, modern amenities, and a tranquil beachfront location. The famous colonial Walled City is just a 30-minute drive away.
This luxury resort features 268 rooms including 31 suites with balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea & golf course. Enjoy views from every guest room, a TPC Nicklaus Design golf course, an indulgent spa, seven culinary options, and a beach club.
8. Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa
Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa is situated in heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world and next to the 17th-century wall which surrounds the historical district.
The hotel is located inside a historic building that is a testament to Cartagena’s tradition, from its origin as a Caribbean Harbor (port) to the city’s transformation into one of the touristic capitals of South America.
All the historical beauty of Cartagena can be seen from these historic rooms located in the cloister, and the colonial legacy of the original convent of Santa Teresa, and the Republican tower.
In the republican courtyard that once vibrated with the voices of school children and with the smells of spaghetti, you will find their fantastic restaurant. Higher up, find the rooftop pool with panoramic views of Cartagena’s skyline.
9. Hilton Cartagena
Hilton Cartagena Hotel is located on El Laguito Peninsula. It is surrounded on three sides by the Caribbean Sea so the views are inspiring. The hotel is just 10 minutes’ drive from the ancient walled city and is 15 minutes from Rafael Nuñez International Airport. This means there isn’t a lot in the immediate area except for a rather unimpressive beach. The location of this hotel isn’t good.
The rooms are fairly generic and smaller than the InterContinental above. There is a recreational area with a renovated swimming pool complex, lounge area and tennis courts, Game Room, and daily activities for kids.
Book an Executive Tower and get access to the Executive Lounge with panoramic city views. The lounge is small with tables and chairs. It feels a little dated and is rather uninteresting but the views are undoubtedly very good.
The food on offer in the evening is just light snacks and not enough to fill you up. Fresh veggies, wraps, bread, dessert, and two hot options, mini pizzas, and meatballs which arent very appealing. Not very filling. There is also beer and wine and a coffee machine. There have been very few reports regarding the breakfast on offer, but judging by the evening food it is unlikely to be great. We suggest choosing an alternate hotel in Cartagena if possible as the Hilton isn’t one of the best hotels in the city.
10. Las Islas
If you are looking for the best beach boutique hotel in Colombia, Las Islas has to be the one to choose, and although it is not actually in Cartagena, it is just up the coastline, so is the perfect two-center combo with Cartagena. If you are in any doubt about how lovely this teeny resort is, just click through to the website and take a look at the waterways, beaches, and thatched huts. I can’t think of a more idyllic setting.
Las Islas offers the white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Colombia’s Isla Barú. Located just 45 minutes from Cartagena, Hotel Las Islas is a sophisticated, environmentally conscious retreat, with luxurious accommodations and exceptional amenities.
Settle into your immaculately appointed bungalow, with its views of the sea or of the neighboring Parque Nacional Natural Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo.
Enjoy their restaurants and bars for locally sourced, expertly prepared cuisine. Relax by the freshwater pool, take in the views from the solarium, or explore one of the many activities available at the hotel. This is an extraordinary place!
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