Casablanca Belle & Boutique

Casa Letty is a private beachfront retreat located on the shores of Barú, just 50 minutes from the heart of Cartagena’s Old City.

Casa Don Sancho is a lovely boutique hotel towards the edge of the walled city but within easy reach of everything Cartagena has to offer.

This is a tall townhouse with six bedrooms spread over three floors. Greenery hangs down from the wraparound balcony, tumbling down to the ground floor where you’ll find a small shaded pool.

Rooms are bright and fresh with lots of natural materials and neutral colours. There is a lovely living room and library which leads onto a dining room where a large table is set up for breakfast. Shuttered windows look out over Calle de Don Sancho.

The small rooftop terrace is the perect place to watch the sunset. In one direction you have the colourful spire of Cartagena Cathedral and the high rises of Boca Grande in the distance, and in the other you have the pale pink facade of the theatre, beyond which are the vast waters of the Caribbean.

Behind the doors of a typical house from the 17th century in the heart of Cartagena is Hotel Amarla, a beautiful space which we recommend booking as a private property.

On entering the house, you’ll find yourself in a gorgeous lounge area characterised by whitewashed walls, large archways and wooden ceiling beams and filled with  antiques and Colombian handicrafts. Part of this area is open-air and filled with tropical plants.

There are seven rooms including their signature duplex suite with two bedrooms and bathrooms. One of the highlights of Hotel Amarla is the spectacular rooftop pool which overlooks the candy coloured dome of the cathedral. There is plenty of shaded space up here as well as a staircase that leads up to another small terrace which is a real sun trap. Views don’t get much better than this.

Bastion Luxury Hotel is located in Cartagena’s charming old town in a restored 16th-century private home. A colonial aesthetic runs though the hotel balanced perfectly with more contemporary touches.

Its 51 elegant rooms and suites have a neutral colour scheme and feel bright and fresh. Some come with a separate living area and outdoor terrace.

The hotel’s restaurant, El Gobernador, showcases the best of Colombian cuisine and offers a nine-course tasting menu, while the patio restaurant offers more relaxed dining. El Gobernador also has a small patio which is a lovely space to enjoy breakfast.

The rooftop terrace is a real highlight of the hotel with a good sized swimming pool, ample space to relax under a cabana and a bar where you can enjoy a drink and light bites as the sun goes down of the beautiful city of Cartagena.

There is also a small spa with treatment room and outdoor Jacuzza and relaxation area, as well as a small gym.