Cartagena de Indias was one one of the gems of Spain’s colonial empire. It was center of trade, commerce, and military might.
You can see that history today not just in its iconic city walls and fortifications, but also in the lovely and charming colonial architecture.
I lived in Cartagena for over a decade. If you want my honest advice on where to stay, I’d say staying at one of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena’s Walled City is my top recommendation without a doubt.
Many of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena are located in the former mansions that were the homes of the colonial rich and powerful.
In my experience, not only is this by far the best area to stay since it offers easy access to many of the city’s top sights, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, but there’s just something so special about staying in a Cartagena boutique hotel in Old Town that lets you fully capture the magic of the historic city.
If you close your eyes, you may very well be able to imagine yourself back in the 17th or 18th century!
Read on to see my picks for the 11 best boutique hotels in Cartagena, Colombia so you can get the most out of our own stay!
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Best Boutique Hotels in Cartagena, Colombia Quick Picks
I’ll go into more detail in the full list below, but if you just want a few quick picks for the best Cartagena boutique hotels, here are a few recommendations:
- Best Small Luxury Boutique Hotel in Cartagena: Casa San Agustín
- Best Value for a Boutique Luxury Hotel in Cartagena: Casona del Colegio
- Best Budget Friendly Cartagena Boutique Hotel: Casa Cordoba Estrella
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Why Choose a Cartagena Boutique Hotel?
If you’re currently planning a trip here, stop and ask yourself why you were drawn to this gem on Colombia’s Caribbean coast?
Perhaps it was the lovely beaches of Cartagena or the even more lovely Rosario Islands nearby. Perhaps it was some combination of the vibrant culture, the tasty food, the many terrific restaurants, and the fun Cartagena nightlife.
However, surely the lovely and charming colonial era atmosphere was at least a part of why you chose to visit Cartagena!
That charm is a big reason why Cartagena is without a doubt one of the best cities in Colombia for travelers.
Just strolling it’s narrow, historic, and flower draped balcony streets will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. If you have every visited Old Havana in Cuba or Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, two of Cartagena’s sister colonial cities, you have a good idea of what to expect.
Staying at one of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena de Indias is the perfect way to fully immerse yourself in that historic charm, and why it’s what I recommend for most travelers coming to Cartagena, especially first time travelers.
Most of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena are in the historic city center, also called the Walled City or Old Town, and that’s where all of the hotels on the list below are located. You can also find some good options in neighboring and equally historic Getsemaní too.
Those areas stand in contrast to the skyscrapers, including plenty of nice hotels, in the beachfront Bocagrande area. Those looking for larger, modern style hotels should look here.
While I can’t fault anyone for wanting to have 30th+ floor views of the Caribbean, I just think most travelers will get more out of being in Cartagena historic downtown where it’s easy to walk to so much.
Most travelers will get more out of doing one of the best day trips or staying at one of the best hotels in the Rosario Islands than trying to enjoy the crowded beaches in Bocagrande.
11 Best Boutique Hotels in Cartagena
This is a top 11 because, well, everyone does top 10s, 11 has a special significance for Cartagena since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and I think you deserve just a bit more.
While I’ve presented this as a numbered list, it shouldn’t be seen as a strict countdown. The best Cartagena boutique hotel for you may depend a bit on the type of traveler you are, so be sure to read over the descriptions and click the links to check them out in more detail.
Most of these are higher end properties and there’s a good bit overlap here and in my list of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena. I did include one more budget friendly pick though.
The truth is there are not bad options here though!
Ok, now, without further ado, let’s get to this list of the top 11 best boutique hotels in Cartagena, Colombia!
1. Casa San Agustín – Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Cartagena
The Casa San Agustín is considered not only the best of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena’s Walled City, but the best hotel in Cartagena period.
It is located in what used to be 3 former colonial mansions now joined together. It still feels like a small, intimate property.
And, it is absolutely gorgeous!
The rooms here are lovely and luxurious, there is a nice pool, and the hotel has been recognized and awarded many times over for its impeccable service.
Plus, the restaurant Alma is one of the better gourmet restaurants in the city (and is worth visiting rather you stay here or not).
This is the absolute finest hotel in Cartagena so if your budget permits it, this should definitely be your first choice for a Cartagena boutique hotel.
2. Sofitel Santa Clara – Gorgeous Convent Turned Top Cartagena Boutique Hotel
The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is in my opinion arguably the prettiest hotel in Cartagena.
It is located in a former convent so is a bit larger than all but one other property on this list of top boutique hotels in Cartagena. The large rooms with high vaulted ceilings, great service, and charming atmosphere still makes it feel very exclusive.
It really is just an all around stunning property!
Rooms are absolutely lovely, and the setting in a former convent still gives it an elegant, intimate, and charming lived in colonial vibe.
The pool and courtyard are stunning, and the restaurant here is also terrific (it’s actually where I proposed to Susana!). The little bar and newish rooftop bar are also great with some of the better crafted cocktails in town, and it’s in a terrific location right on the Plaza de San Diego near tons of great restaurants.
So, it’s an easy choice for not only the second best boutique hotel in Cartagena but the second best hotel in the city period.
3. Charleston Santa Teresa – Another Former Convent Turned Hotel
The Charleston Santa Teresa is also located in a gorgeous former convent. It’s a bit larger than the Santa Clara, but the colonial architecture, charming rooms, and gorgeous central courtyard with its hanging vines helps it keep that small luxury boutique hotel of Cartagena feel.
The location is also terrific, just behind the San Pedro Claver Church, by an entrance to the wall, and near some of the best boutique shops in town.
The Harry Sasson restaurant here is top notch, and we’ve eaten here a number of times. The crab nachos are one of our favorites! The little patio out front is also a great spot for an evening drink.
The thing that sets this property apart from the other best boutique hotels in Cartagena on this list is the rooftop pool. It’s larger than most rooftop pools in the smaller buildings that house most of the other top Cartagena boutique hotels.
There’s also another nice bar and restaurant on the roof, and the view of the wall and Caribbean beyond, the surrounding churches, and the modern skyscrapers of Bocagrande across the bay is really spectacular.
These 3 top boutique hotels in Cartagena are really the finest hotels in the city, in my opinion. I consider the Santa Teresa a tad more family and kid friendly than the other two, but all work well for any kind of traveler.
4. Casona del Colegio – Best Value Boutique Luxury Hotel in Cartagena
Casona del Colegio is in my opinion one of the best values among the luxury boutique hotels in Cartagena.
While certainly not cheap, it has a luxury quality that is just barely a cut below the top 3 places listed but at a more affordable price point.
Susana and I actually treated ourselves to a little staycation here once, and absolutely loved it (read a review here).
The room was gorgeous with a unique and colorful vibe (every room is decorated after a particular element of Colombian geography and culture), there is a great rooftop pool, and the drinks and food at the restaurant were top notch.
Service was great as well!
For an especially romantic stay, consider booking one of the corner suites with private balconies and mini-pool/jacuzzis at this boutique hotel in Cartagena. We booked a suite called the Magdalena that had a one but it was sort of receded and shaded by trees. It was pretty, but the corner ones looked even better.
For prices similar to what you’d pay for a standard room at the very top end Cartagena boutique hotels, “settling” for staying in one of those seems like it’d be well worth it.
In short, I really think that this belongs among the very best of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena and really is a decent value too.
5. Casa del Gobernador – Colonial Governor’s Mansion Turned Hotel
The Casa del Gobernador offers a similar experience to the Casa San Agustín. Located in the colonial governor’s mansion and with only a handful of rooms, it has a more exclusive and intimate feel than the larger top boutique hotels of Cartagena like the Santa Clara and Santa Teresa.
One of the things I really love about this hotel is the main corridor has never been renovated, so it still shows the original 16th century brickwork.
There’s a great restaurant here that Susana and I have eaten at and really enjoyed. This top Cartagena boutique hotel is also known for impeccable service.
The rooms are lovely, and the location is great too.
If you’re looking for a small and intimate colonial hotel in Cartagena for a romantic or charming stay and couldn’t get a room at the San Agustín, this makes for an excellent alternative.
6. Hotel Quadrifolio – Opulent Cartagena Boutique Hotel
Next up on this list of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena de Indiass is the Hotel Quadrifolio.
Set in a historic former mansion, it still feels like one with its luxurious furnishings. You’ll feel like a true colonial era Cartagena aristocrat in its elegant rooms and common areas.
The architecture of this entire Cartagena boutique hotel is just beautiful with high ceilings and windows that overlook the beautiful courtyard. It’s also a small property. If you want something akin to a boutique bed and breakfast in Cartagena, it fits the bill.
You can enjoy a rooftop jacuzzi here, and the hotel even has its own speedboat you can rent to visit the Rosario Islands or party it up at Cholón Island.
All of that combines to land it a deserved spot on this list of the best Cartagena, Colombia boutique hotels.
7. Casa Pestagua – Cartagena Boutique Hotel in a Count’s House
If you want to really feel like an aristocrat, why not stay in a house formerly owned by a count?
The Casa Pestagua Relais Châteaux is set in a mansion built for the Count of Pestagua in the 18th century, during the late colonial period.
There are only 11 suites here, all of them with lavish furnishings truly fit for royalty, not to mention someone needing some proper R&R and pampering! The small size of this Cartagena boutique hotel in the Old City also mean it has a very intimate and private feel.
You can enjoy the pool in the courtyard or the lovely spa, all while sipping champagne and snacking caviar and imaging yourself a true aristocrat of old.
This classy property is a more than worthy choice for a top boutique hotel in Cartagena and would make for a great stay.
8. Casa de Alba – Stay Where Francis Drake Stayed
We have already seen the home of a count and a governor on this list of the best hotel boutiques in Cartagena. How about one of a famous sailor, or infamous pirate, depending on who you ask.
Ok, maybe that’s cheating. Casa de Alba is located in the home where Francis Drake stayed when he occupied and sacked the city in 1586, not his actual home.
The home that now houses this top option among the Cartagena boutique hotels in Old Town did belong to one of Cartagena’s wealthiest early merchants though.
Today, this former colonial home willingly opens its doors with its lovely inner courtyard and pool to paying guests. It has a great location in the heart of the Walled City, and the rooms are both charming and luxurious.
That makes it another great option amongst the best boutique hotels in Cartagena de Indias.
9. Casa del Arzobispado – Stay in the Archbishop’s House
If the mansions where a count or governor lived doesn’t do it for you, how about one where an Archbishop lived?
The Casa del Arzobispado was once the colonial Archbishop’s residence. However, this church official certainly didn’t appear to be one to give up worldly comforts and live in poverty.
There’s a beautiful courtyard here with gorgeous vine draped balconies, and a lovely little pool that feels like an oasis in the heart of the city.
The rooms are also gorgeous with luxurious furnishings.
It’s a really charming place and another worthy choice for one of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena de Indias.
11. Bastión Luxury Hotel – Lovely Hotel in a Lovely Location
The Bastión Luxury Hotel is one of Cartagena’s long running luxury boutique hotels.
The building that houses this top boutique hotel in Cartagena dates all the way to the 16th century, but has been lovingly restored. The columns and some visible original stonework are testaments to the building’s history.
It’s well regarded for its terrific service, not to mention its lovely rooms that mix colonial splendor and charm with modern sophistication and comfort.
I really love the look of their rooftop pool. It’s fairly large too, probably the largest on this list after the Santa Teresa.
So, it makes for another nice option for a luxury boutique hotel in Cartagena, Colombia.
11. Casa Córdoba Estrella – Best Budget Cartagena Boutique Hotel
The Hotel Boutique Casa Cordoba Estrella is not only the best budget friendly Cartagena boutique hotel and the most affordably priced place on this list, it also gets my vote for coolest and most charming lobby decoration with its sweet old library!
Rooms are lovely and have the classic Cartagena boutique hotel colonial charm with a touch of color.
There is a nice if smaller rooftop pool here. The hotel is also in a good location inside the Walled City. Reviews are also excellent.
So, if you’re looking for a more affordable option while still getting a load of historic charm, this is really a great option.
A few other nice Cartagena boutique hotels that are really good values in my eyes are the Hotel Boutique Las Carretas the Casa de la Factoria, and Hotel Bantú all also located in the Walled City. In neighboring Getsemaní, you can also find the Casa Isabel and the Casa Tere, both of which are lovely Cartagena boutique hotels at good values too.
Ready to book your stay at a boutique hotel in Cartagena?
There you have it, a guide to the top 11 boutique hotels in Cartagena.
You really can’t go wrong regardless of which of these Cartagena boutique hotels you choose!
I hope it helped you plan your stay, and, most importantly, you do in fact fall in love with whatever Cartagena boutique hotel you do end choosing and that your entire trip is awesome! Let me know which hotel you stayed at and what you thought in the comments below.
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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You might also want to check out my guide to the best places for sunset drinks in Cartagena. If you’re traveling elsewhere in Colombia, you might want to check out my picks for the best luxury hotels in Bogotá or the best hotels and hostels in Minca. If you love the historic charm of Cartagena’s boutique hotels, you’ll also love the quaint towns of Villa de Leyva and Barichara.
Planning a trip to Cartagena?
Be sure to check out the rest of the site to help you plan!
In particular, you might want to check out my complete guide to planning a trip to Cartagena, my guide to the best areas to stay, my list of over 75 things to do, my picks for the best Cartagena tours, the best day trips from Cartagena, my suggested packing list, my guide to the Rosario Islands, and my guide to all the beaches of Cartagena.