The city of Cartagena de Indias, the fifth largest in Colombia, feels like it belongs to a different era. Once an important port on the silver and gold trade route, Cartagena was extremely wealthy and well fortified, and has the architecture to show for it. This historic legacy is the reason why, today, it's a UNESCO world heritage site, and why it's so popular with visitors. The city undoubtedly has a fairytale quality to it, boasting an atmospheric, walled old town of cobbled streets, and the best places to stay in Cartagena offer visitors a fantastic glimpse into this historic Spanish settlement. For example in the old middle class district of San Diego you'll find many of Cartagena's most beautiful colonial townhouses, many of which have been converted into excellent hotels or B&Bs.These charming boutiques may not always have a lot of guest rooms, but the delight of staying in this area is well worth your seeking them out. We have listed the best of them below.
While it feels like an exotic destination, Cartagena is also a great place to simply chill. One of the best things to do here to get a feel for the place and its inhabitants is to stroll the sea wall, and follow up with some mojitos and indulge in some people watching in one of the many bars and cafes that line the port. If you have kids in tow, and for a different experience, visit Oceanario with marine life, including turtles and sharks, on show in the beautiful waters - it's a great excursion for visitors of all ages.
Our pick of the best places to stay in Cartagena includes everything from luxurious retreats to chic boutique properties in the heart of the town ensuring there's something for everyone. Many have roof-top pools and rooftop sun terraces.
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Cartagena (Bocagrande)
A smart modern hotel located just moments from the beach and within easy access of the historic centre. Rooms and suites are simple and stylish with soft hues, large windows, and clean lines. A restaurant serves regional and international cuisine. A well-priced and convenient stay.
Cartagena
This hotel is centrally located in Cartagena de Indias. It features incredibly spacious and simple white rooms and even has its own rooftop pool as well as a terrace. Make the most out of the fabulous location to explore every inch of this historic city. A great value stay with very friendly staff.
Cartagena
Boutique hotel lovers on a budget will adore this centrally-located colonial-era property. Rooms are on the small side but inviting with exposed brickwork, wooden beams & ethnic prints. Terraces and vaulted courtyards wind around the property, there's also a small pool. Affordable old-town delight.
Cartagena
An intimate hotel with well-priced rooms set in the lively Getsemani area. Light and airy rooms are decorated in soft hues with whitewashed walls and simple modern furniture. On the roof terrace is a plunge pool and there are several communal seating areas. A chic city bolthole.
Cartagena (San Diego)
This boutique hotel is located in Cartagena, Colombia. The spacious guestrooms are themed around Colombian artists and feature heritage-style furnishings, tiled floors and local artwork; book a luxury suite for a private terrace. Unwind by the chic pool or in the cosy sitting room; a stylish hotel.
Cartagena (Getsemani)
A gorgeous little B&B in the Getsemani neighbourhood. Four individually designed bedrooms effortlessly combine traditional features with contemporary style to create a boho-chic haven. Plus there's a courtyard and plunge pool for post-exploration cool downs! A fab find that won't break the bank!
Cartagena (Calle del pozo Número 25-56)
A chic boutique hotel set amongst the colourful streets of the bohemian Getsemani area. Rooms range from spacious doubles to vast suites. One of the best has an internal courtyard with a romantic hot tub for two. Breakfasts are served on the roof terrace and there's a pretty courtyard pool.
Cartagena (Cra. 10 #29-71)
A charming and well-priced boutique property located within the historic walled city. Singles, doubles, and suites are compact but well-designed; expect colonial architecture mixed with fresh modern style. There's a lovely rooftop bar and plunge pool. A chic little base for city exploring.
Cartagena
A chic contemporary hotel with located just outside the historical walled city. Cleanly designed rooms feature floor to ceiling windows, crisp white linen and large terraces. A rooftop pool is the perfect spot to sip a cocktail and a hip restaurant serves international and Caribbean fare. Fabulous.
Cartagena
A stylish little boutique hotel set in the heart of the city. Spacious rooms boast high ceilings, simple modern furniture, and modern artworks. The best have private balconies. There's a lovely roof terrace with a plunge pool and a pretty courtyard downstairs. A convenient city base.
Cartagena (Centrohistori )
Alfiz Hotel is great value and perfectly located near Cartagena de Indias' historic Old Town. It features traditional & elegant rooms decorated in a typically colonial manner with plenty of antique furniture. Relax in their reading room with a book or head off to explore the gorgeous city.
Cartagena
A boutique hotel, situated in old town Cartagena. Rooms are vibrant and quirky (each is inspired by a Colombian bird) with private balconies and seating areas. The rooftop bar is one of the hottest spots in town with incredible innovative cocktails and delicious taps served til late! A trendy spot.
Cartagena (Cartagena de Indias )
A chic little boutique hotel set in the heart of the historic centre. Interiors perfectly mix the old and the new with the building's original features sitting alongside simple modern furniture and bright artworks. With a courtyard pool, rooftop hot tub, & a bar — this is a perfect city crashpad.
Cartagena
Elegant 5* hotel in 18th century building. Characterful rooms have exposed bricks, traditional mosaic tiles and light marble bathrooms. Outdoor pool on roof terrace, inner plant-filled courtyard, solarium, hot tub and massages. Caribbean and Colombian fare in romantic restaurant. An authentic stay.
Cartagena (Bolivar)
A beautiful 18th century palace with traditional facades and classical suites to match. Chequered stone floors, romantic balconies, four poster beds, pastel walls, gilt mirrors and winding staircases. Stunning roof top swimming pool and cocktail bar. Very ethereal.
Cartagena (San Diego)
This boutique hotel is located in the historic San Diego neighbourhood of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Guestrooms feature whitewashed walls, heritage-style furniture and tiled floors; book a suite for living space and a terrace. Unwind by the pool before dinner al fresco; a charming boutique stay.
Cartagena
A stylish contemporary hotel set in a traditional building in the historic centre. Fresh bright rooms have whitewashed walls, large black & white prints, crisp white linen, and high-tech. There is a roof terrace lending lovely city views for an evening drink and the city's attractions are nearby.
Cartagena (Cartagena)
Casa La Cartujita is situated in central Cartagena. This stylish property features 16th century colonial architecture with modernist and chic rooms as well as a small indoor pool. Head up to the solarium and work on your tan or go off exploring the area. An incredibly upmarket and elegant city spot!
Cartagena
Once a colonial home, this property has had a complete overhaul creating a fresh modern hotel in the city centre. Sleek rooms are decorated in soft hues with expansive windows and clean lines. The rooftop pool is a welcome respite after a day spent exploring the city. A chic stay.
Cartagena (Provincia de Cartagena)
An elegant boutique hotel set in a traditional colonial house dating back to the 16th century. An all-suite stay, rooms are airy and light with simple modern furniture, whitewashed walls, and original features. There's an outdoor pool and courtyard restaurant. A stylish city stay.
Cartagena
A stylish small hotel located in the hip Getsemani area. Stylish rooms perfectly merge the old and the new with terracotta tiled floors, high beamed ceilings, and simple modern furniture. Superb amenities include a pretty central courtyard, plunge pool, restaurant, and a spa. A chic stay.
Cartagena (Centro)
A beautifully renovated 17th-century townhouse offering guests fully-equipped loft rooms for long and short-term stays. Each room has a kitchenette and seating area. All guests can make use of a stunning sun terrace with an outdoor pool, and there is also an indoor pool, a steam room and a sauna.
Cartagena (Centro Histórico)
A characterful boutique hotel set in the heart of the historic centre. The four suites are all individually styled but each has a heavy-set four-poster bed, high ceilings, and original features. With a spa, a rooftop pool, and a restaurant — you will have everything you need here. A luxe city base.
Cartagena (Provincia de Cartagena)
A boutique hotel tucked away in a colonial-era property in central Cartagena. A wooden gallery lines the hotel's interior courtyard, hiding an azure swimming pool and terrace. Guestrooms feel historic, with exposed stone walls and wooden beams - a characterful stay in this UNESCO heritage city.
Cartagena (Centro)
A magnificent boutique hotel offering 5* accommodation in central Cartagena. There is an outdoor pool and sun terrace where guests can enjoy a relaxing drink from the bar before a meal at the hotel restaurant. All 15 rooms are individually and elegantly decorated in contemporary decor.
Cartagena
A chic hotel set in the historic centre with cool boutique interiors inspired by local design. Spacious suites and rooms are decorated with unique design pieces, mosaic floors, and a bold colour palette. There's a very good regional restaurant and a spa. A real celebration of all things Colombian.
Cartagena
A grand 17th-century home turned into a characterful boutique stay. Expect original features a-plenty with colonial artworks, religious pieces, a central courtyard, and terracotta tiled floors. A spa, Egyptian cotton sheets, and courtyard pool add a contemporary touch. A chic city crashpad.
Cartagena (Centro)
This colonial boutique hotel is located in the heart of Cartagena's old town. Rooms have elegant, classic interiors featuring local textiles and native wood accents; book a split-level suite for a teak-panelled terrace. Lounge by the pool or sip cocktails at the rooftop bar; a chic heritage hotel.
Cartagena
A small luxury hotel in Cartagena's most exclusive district. Housing just seven individually styled rooms that beautifully mix colonial charm with contemporary style. A picture pretty courtyard complete with pool is the perfect hang out and the kitchen serves up excellent regional fare. Fabulous.
Cartagena (Barrio San Diego)
A former convent in the heart of Cartagena with four bars and the biggest swimming pool in the city. Large rooms are bright and airy with a mix of traditional and contemporary design. Set within the UNESCO heritage walled city this is a luxury spot with superb access to the city's attractions.
Cartagena
A stunning hotel located in a renovated colonial mansion in the heart of Cartagena. Rooms are bright and spacious with marble finishes and a private terrace or balcony. Historical sights, like the, Santa Catalina de Alejandra Cathedral, are at your doorstep, and local cuisine can be enjoyed nearby.
Cartagena (Centro Histórico)
A luxury hotel located in the historic walled city and just a short walk from the beach. Beautifully renovated throughout the house keeps its colonial charm mixed with a clean contemporary feel. Large rooms feature private terraces, wooden fans and high ceilings. A chic choice.
Cartagena (Centro Histórico )
This luxury hotel is located in Cartagena's historic old town. Rooms have colonial interiors and luxurious linens to complement the heritage property; book the Suite de Los Reyes for separate living space plus a private patio. Dine at the hotel restaurant before a spa treatment; a chic city hotel.
Cartagena (Centro)
This luxury hotel is located in the historic district of Cartagena, Colombia. Interiors are inspired by the Caribbean and feature limestone walls, native wood furnishings and local crafts; book the Bayside Suite for a private balcony. Enjoy views from the rooftop terrace bar; a refined city hotel.
Cartagena (Centro)
This hotel offers luxury accommodation in a landmark heritage property in Cartagena, Colombia. Guestrooms feature exposed stone walls, antique furniture and a private terrace; book an apartment for contemporary interior design and a private pool. Unwind on the hotel's roof terrace; a refined hotel.
Cartagena (Cra 9 No. 29 - 52 - Cartagena de Indias)
A luxury boutique hotel set just outside the historic centre. Spacious rooms and capacious suites are utterly spoiling with original features and stylish modern furniture; the best have private hot tubs. There's a stunning rooftop pool & a standout restaurant serving Colombian fare. A chic stay.
Cartagena (Calle del Coliseo #35-23 )
A beautifully renovated colonial house in the heart of the historic centre. Enormous rooms feature beamed ceilings, white washed walls and a mix of contemporary and antique furniture. Boasting a rooftop pool and BBQ area. Rent the whole house or just a room. Fabulous.
Cartagena
A romantic manor house in the old town of Cartagena. Traditional understated elegance throughout suites. Stone floors, wooden furnishings, all the mod cons. Lovely pool, spa and restaurant. Calm, simple, sophisticated.
Cartagena
Glam boutique property with killer views over the Old Town. This former convent's romantic interiors blend colonial-style courtyards and antique furniture with contemproary color-schemes and slick city vistas. With three restaurants, bar, spa, sauna and rooftop pool there's no need to venture out.
Cartagena
A boutique property in the heart of Cartagena de Indias. White on white throughout with beamed ceilings and natural objects as artwork. Rooms are well proportioned and have a whimsical, romantic air. Well located for city exploring or for heading out into the surrounding mountain range. Very chic.
Cartagena (Centro)
A stunning adult-only boutique hotel in the heart of the old town. Seven individually designed rooms are filled with unique artisanal pieces. Attention to detail includes superb silk robes, Egyptian cotton bedding and bespoke furnishings. A rooftop pool, plus delicious food, complete the picture.
Cartagena
An absolute gem of laid-back style in a historic location with enormous bedrooms and bathrooms and a fabulous spa offering exotic luxurious treatments.
Cartagena (Bolivar)
Romantic and grand traditional Cartagenese house in the old town. White washed colonial buildings have frescoed ceilings, hand painted tiles, and coral stone walls. Enormous rooms and suites have high ceilings, four poster beds, and marble bathrooms. Lovely courtyard pool, restaurant and terraces.
