In Cartagena, the stones speak. Not with words, but with arches that have seen centuries pass by, balconies that have witnessed forbidden loves, and courtyards where time seems to have stopped forever. This city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves its colonial and republican architecture not only in museums and plazas, but in hotels that have skillfully transformed historic mansions into luxury retreats where past and present shake hands every night.
The magic of these accommodations isn't just in their thick coral stone walls or wooden ceilings that creak with the Caribbean breeze. It's in the sensation of sleeping where Spanish merchants once lived, bathing in rooms that were ballrooms, breakfasting in courtyards where independence conspiracies were woven. These hotels don't just offer a bed; they offer a journey through time.
Where History Becomes Accommodation
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel
What is now one of Cartagena's most luxurious hotels was in the 17th century the Convent of Santa Clara, founded in 1617. For nearly 300 years, this building housed Clarissan nuns until it was transformed into a hotel in 1995. Its colonial architecture remains intact: the main cloister with its rounded arches, the original chapel converted into an events hall, the corridors that were once monastic cells. Prices range from COP 1,200,000 to COP 3,500,000 per night, depending on season and room type.
Practical Information: Address: Calle del Torno 39-29, Historic Center, Cartagena. Phone: +57 5 6504700. Website: sofitel.accor.com. View on Google Maps
Casa San Agustín
Three 17th-century colonial houses united with such artistry that they seem to have always been together. Located in the heart of the Historic Center, this jewel preserves original frescoes discovered during restoration, coffered ceilings, and a swimming pool that seems to emerge from the ruins of an ancient wall. Its library is in what was once a private chapel. Rates: COP 900,000 to COP 2,800,000 per night.
Practical Information: Address: Calle de la Universidad 36-44, Historic Center, Cartagena. Phone: +57 5 6810000. Website: casasanagustin.com.co. View on Google Maps
Charleston Santa Teresa Hotel
Former convent of the Discalced Carmelites founded in 1606, this hotel maintains the original cloister structure while adding modern amenities. The most impressive feature: its tower, from where nuns once watched over the city, is now a lookout with panoramic views of Cartagena. Located facing the bay, it offers rooms from COP 750,000 to COP 2,200,000.
Practical Information: Address: Calle del Sargento Mayor 6-21, Historic Center, Cartagena. Phone: +57 5 6649494. Website: hotelcharlestonsantateresa.com. View on Google Maps
Ananda Hotel Boutique
A 19th-century republican mansion in Getsemaní that has preserved its original marble floors, high ceilings, and spatial layout from the period. What sets it apart: each room is dedicated to a different Colombian artist, creating a unique cultural experience. More accessible prices: COP 450,000 to COP 1,200,000.
Practical Information: Address: Calle del Guerrero 29-02, Getsemaní, Cartagena. Phone: +57 5 6644444. Website: anandahotelboutique.com. View on Google Maps
Casa Pestagua
Built in the 18th century for the Count of Pestagua, this mansion is considered one of the most beautiful in Cartagena. Its spiral marble staircase, hand-crafted balconies, and drawing rooms with golden details transport you directly to the Colonial era. Today it operates as a boutique hotel with only 11 rooms, starting at COP 1,100,000 per night.
Practical Information: Address: Calle de Santo Domingo 33-63, Historic Center, Cartagena. Phone: +57 5 6649515. Website: casapestagua.com. View on Google Maps
Las Carretas Boutique Hotel
For more modest budgets without losing authenticity, this former 18th-century mansion in Getsemaní offers rooms around a traditional colonial courtyard. It preserves original elements like wooden beams and stone walls, with prices between COP 300,000 and COP 650,000 per night.
Practical Information: Address: Calle de la Media Luna 10-20, Getsemaní, Cartagena. Phone: +57 5 6641234. Website: hotellascarretas.com. View on Google Maps
Experiences Only These Hotels Can Offer
These historic accommodations go beyond a simple room. The Santa Clara offers private dinners in its ancient cloister, illuminated only by candles. Casa San Agustín organizes tours of its restored frescoes with specialized historians. The Charleston Santa Teresa occasionally holds masses in its original chapel, keeping the place's tradition alive.
Exclusive services include butlers who know every corner of the building's history, spas in former colonial warehouses, and restaurants that recover recipes from the 17th and 18th centuries. Many offer private access to sections of the city walls to watch sunsets that seem painted by history itself.
Strategic Locations and Comparison
Most of these historic hotels are concentrated in the Historic Center, just steps from Plaza de Bolívar and the Cathedral. Getsemaní, the bohemian neighborhood, offers more accessible options with equal authenticity. Price differences don't always reflect the historical experience: Las Carretas in Getsemaní offers as much colonial charm as some luxury hotels, at almost one-third the price.
For travelers seeking total immersion in colonial history, the Historic Center is ideal. For those who prefer authenticity with a more local atmosphere and more moderate prices, Getsemaní is the choice. They all share something invaluable: the possibility of sleeping within Cartagena's living history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Historic Hotels in Cartagena
What's the best time to book these hotels?
Book in advance to guarantee your stay in these historic hotels, especially during high season (December to March and June to August). Many require bookings months in advance, not due to lack of space, but because each room is unique and deserves to be prepared as one would prepare a work of art for exhibition.
What does the room price include?
Most of these hotels include breakfast, access to historic common areas, and in some cases, guided tours of the building. Additional services like private dinners, spa, and personalized butler come at extra cost.
Are they suitable for families with children?
Yes, although some smaller boutique hotels may have specific policies. It's advisable to consult directly with each hotel about their family services.
Are there more economical options with colonial authenticity?
Las Carretas Boutique Hotel in Getsemaní offers the colonial experience at more accessible prices, maintaining the historical authenticity of an 18th-century mansion.
These hotels aren't just places to sleep. They are guardians of stone and wood that have decided to open their doors so that we, 21st-century travelers, can touch for a few nights what was, better understand what is, and dream of what could be. In Cartagena, history isn't visited; it's inhabited.
