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Planning a visit to beautiful, charming Cartagena, Colombia and want to fully immerse yourself in the city’s magical colonial history?
Why not stay at one of the best Cartagena boutique hotels?
The city was once one of the crown gems of Spain’s colonial empire, and there’s no better way to fall in love with the city’s historic charm than staying at one of the many boutique hotels in Cartagena, many of which are located in historic homes and buildings.
I lived in Cartagena for over a decade. If you want my honest advice on where to stay, I’d say staying at a historic boutique hotel in Cartagena is my top recommendation without a doubt.
Read on to see my picks for the best boutique hotels in Cartagena, Colombia, with picks for all budget levels and types of travelers so you can get the most out of your own stay!
Best Cartagena Boutique Hotels Overview and Quick Tips
There’s really nothing better than staying at a Cartagena boutique hotel, especially those in the charming historic areas, where you can walk to so many great restaurants and attractions, all while immersing yourself fully in the city’s historic charm.
Below, I’ll go over some options for boutique hotels in Cartagena at different price points, and then award some superlatives for the best boutique hotels in Cartagena in different categories with more details.
However, if you just want some quick options to compare, here are some quick picks:
- Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Cartagena: Casa San Agustín
- Other Great High End Options: Sofitel Santa Clara and Charleston Santa Teresa
- Best Value for a Boutique Hotel in Cartagena: Casona del Colegio
- Other Good Values: Hotel Capellán and Hotel Kartaxa
- Best Budget Friendly Cartagena Boutique Hotel: Casa Cordoba Estrella
- Other Budget Friendly Options: Las Carretas and Casa la Cartujita
Why Pick a Boutique Hotel in Cartagena?
Before I go into more details on my picks for the best boutique hotels in Cartagena, let’s talk about why I think staying at one is the best choice for most travelers.
First of all, most of the Cartagena boutique hotels are located in the Walled City of Cartagena or the adjacent historic neighborhood of Getsemaní, both of which are highly walkable and have loads of great restaurants, cafes, bars, and put you close to so many of the best things to do in Cartagena.
That’s why I recommend them as the top two areas in my complete guide to where to stay in Cartagena, and you can check out even more options in both areas in my picks for the best hotels in Cartagena’s Walled City and best hotels in Getsemaní.
Those areas stand in contrast to the skyscrapers, including plenty of nice hotels, in the beachfront Bocagrande area.
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 areas and day tripping or complementing a stay in town with a stay at one of the hotels in the Rosario Islands or the other Cartagena islands for part of their trip for their beach fix.
Those looking for larger, modern style hotels might want to look at the best hotels in Bocagrande as an alternative to these Cartagena boutique hotels though.
Best Boutique Hotels in Cartagena
I’ll award some best of the best superlatives below for different types of travelers, but I wanted to present a variety of options at different price points first.
Best Cartagena Boutique Hotels by Budget Level
Here I’ll cover some high end options, some midrange options, and some more budget friendly options.
Everyone might define these categories a little differently, and, to be clear, I haven’t included any really cheap hotels here (this is a best of list, after all), but I have tried to include a bit of everything, including some places that I think are great bang for your peso values in the midrange and budget friendly sections.
Best High End, Luxury Boutique Hotels in Cartagena
If you’re looking for the finest boutique hotel in Cartagena, or really the finest hotel in Cartagena period, look no further than the Casa San Agustín. Split over an adjacent set of historic homes, there’s no more highly considered hotel in the city, and the San Agustín is known for impeccable service, lovely decor, and a terrific restaurant.
If you want something of similar quality but a big larger, the Sofitel Santa Clara and the Charleston Santa Teresa, both located in lovely colonial convents, make for great options. They are probably both a bit more family and kid friendly too and have a variety of room options.
For something a bit smaller and intimate, the Casa Pestagua, located in the former mansion of a count, would be especially nice for a romantic getaway.
Meanwhile the Casa Carolina, billed as luxury wellness hotel, offers a unique concept in Cartagena, and the Moet Cartagena is the only Adults Only hotel in the historic areas, for those that specifically don’t want something family friendly.
Finally, Hotel Movich, with it’s amazing rooftop bar and modern but elegant decor is another great option a bit closer to a traditional, larger hotel that still has the charm of a boutique.
Best Midrange Cartagena Boutique Hotels
In my opinion, there are some really great options for midrange boutique hotels in Cartagena.
A lot of them are still pretty pricey, but some offer a really good value, considering they give you an experience just barely a cut below the more expensive places listed above but at more reasonable prices.
Chief among those is the Casona del Colegio. Susana and I stayed here once (read about our experience here), and we loved it. The hotel is lovely, the restaurant is great, and the service was terrific. The corner suites with little jacuzzis would be terrific for a romantic getaway, and they cost similar to a standard room at the more expensive places above.
For some similarly more reasonably priced but luxury style hotels, consider the Bastión Luxury Hotel and the Sophia Hotel. The lovely Hotel Quadrifilio would be a great choice for couples that want a smaller, more intimate setting.
Meanwhile, the Casa Claver Loft has one and two bedroom apartments and would be a great choice for families or those looking for a kitchen, and their standard rooms would be a great choice for anyone who just wants to enjoy the fabulous view of the neighboring San Pedro Claver Church at their rooftop pool!
If you’d like to stay in Getsemaní, the Hotel Capellán and Osh Hotel are both great options that offer great luxury quality that won’t totally break the bank. Capellán’s multi-bedroom suites could be a good choice for families, in particular.
For slightly more affordable but still nice Cartagena boutique hotels, consider the Hotel Kartaxa, Casa del Coliseo, and the Cinco Quintas. Younger travelers will love the eclectic vibes and fun rooftop bar at Townhouse Boutique.
Best Budget Friendly Boutique Hotels in Cartagena
I think the Casa Cordoba Estrella is a really nice value for the lovely and charming locale and quality. I especially love their old library!
The GHL Arsenal Hotel is in a great spot in Getsemaní and is a good value as well. The Casa La Cartujita, the terrifically named La Passion de Masaya, and Lunalá all offer really nice quality at fairly reasonable prices too.
If you are looking for something on the cheaper side but still decently nice, you could take a look at Las Carretas, the Hotel 3 Banderas,, the Hotel Don Pedro de Heredia, or the Casa India Catalina.
Finally, you might also consider the boutique hostels if you want something cheaper that has a more social atmosphere but still want nicer accommodations than a standard backpacker dorm. Casa Movida, Viajero Getsemaní, and the Clock Hostel and Suites would all make good choices.
Best Cartagena Boutique Hotel Superlatives
In this section, I’ll be awarding some best of superlatives for boutique hotels in Cartagena that I think would be especially good fits for certain types of travelers.
Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in Cartagena – Casa San Agustín
The Casa San Agustín is considered not only the best of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena’s Walled City, but pretty much the best hotel in Cartagena period.
It is located in what used to be 3 former colonial mansions now joined together to make it feel 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 restaurants in the city (and is worth visiting whether 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.
Best Cartagena Boutique Hotel Pool – Sofitel Santa Clara
The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is arguably the absolute 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.
However, the courtyard pool is really stunning. You can imagine monks having conversations hundreds of years ago while you sip cocktails or catch some rays. In an added bonus, this is one of the largest pools in a Cartagena boutique hotel too, considering most have small pools great for relaxing but not ones you can do a lot of real swimming in.
The restaurant here is also terrific (it’s actually where I proposed to Susana!), and 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 as the second best boutique hotel in Cartagena, really the second best hotel in town, and by far the prettiest pool at any hotel in Cartagena.
Best Rooftop Pool – Charleston Santa Teresa
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 and little spicy chicharrones are some of our favorite dishes in all Cartagena! The little patio out front is also a great spot for an evening drink.
The thing that really sets this property apart from the other best boutique hotels in Cartagena on this list is the rooftop pool though. While not quite as large as the Santa Clara’s, it’s still larger than most pools in the other smaller boutique hotels, and it’s definitely larger than any other rooftop pool in the historic areas.
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.
Most Romantic Boutique Hotel in Cartagena – Casa Pestagua
Really just about all the hotels on this list make for great options for a romantic getaway, but for something really special, consider the Casa Pestagua Relais Châteaux.
This hotel 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, precisely why it’s such a great choice for a romantic getaway.
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 is just so romantic.
Best Value for a Luxury Cartagena Boutique Hotel – Casona del Colegio
Casona del Colegio is in my opinion the best overall value of 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). For what it’s worth, we definitely thought it was very romantic too!
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 small, but lovely 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 pretty decent value too.
Best Cartagena Boutique Hotel Outside the Wall – Hotel Capellán
One of the newer luxury and boutique hotels in Cartagena, the Hotel Capellán is a lovely property that is just stone’s throw from the clocktower and offers easy walking access to so many of the top attractions in the Walled City and Getsmaní.
While just a slight cut below the quality of the places higher on this list, it actually comes at a much more affordable price.
In addition to the charming rooms, there’s a nice restaurant here, and a pretty little rooftop pool and terraza area.
The 2 bedroom suites here also makes it a great choice for families or groups traveling together.
So, if you want to save a few pesos and are willing to do a boutique hotel in Cartagena outside the walls, it’s by far the top choice.
Osh Hotel, nearby is another great choice at an even better price, and people who stayed there always rave about it in my Facebook group.
Most Family Friendly Cartagena Boutique Hotel – Casa Claver Loft
Looking for a family friendly boutique hotel in Cartagena?
Check out the Casa Claver Loft Boutique! This property is really gorgeous, has a great location in the heart of the Walled City, and has a terrific view fom its rooftop pool.
However, what I really think is neat here are the little kitchenettes in the loft style apartments they have, some of which are two bedrooms.
That means you can do some cooking and not have to eat out every single night. It’s basically got the appeal of doing something like an AirBnB but with the added benefits of security and concierge at a hotel.
The hotel is so gorgeous that it really would be a great choice for any kind of traveler, but its apartment style rooms are why I have graded it as the best boutique hotel in Cartagena for families.
Best for Young Travelers – Townhouse Boutique
With a sweet rooftop bar and mini pool to cool off and eclectic vibes, Townhouse would make the best choice for younger (or young at heart) travelers.
It would be a good spot for a solo trip, a couple’s trip, or a group trip. We love the drinks at the bar, and it often has a DJ. They also do a nice all you can eat and drink brunch on the weekends. Food up here is really good too!
Meanwhile, on the bottom floor, you can find a Prohibition/Great Gatsby themed speakeasy and cabaret bar, one of the more unique places for drinks in Cartagena.
Rooms in the hotel are also nice and have a neat, nature themed decor, and it’s located in the heart of the Walled City.
So, it makes a great choice really for anyone, but especially good for younger travelers who will take full advantage of the bars.
Osh is another great choice for younger travelers, and for those looking for a hostel vibe without sacrificing on comfortable rooms, Casa Movida and Viajero Getsemaní (formerly Selina) would also make good choices.
Most Budget Friendly – Casa Córdoba Estrella
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, and reviews are also excellent.
To be clear, there are cheaper options that are also nice, but 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 boutique hotels in Cartagena, with some great choices for all budget levels and picks for every kind of traveler!
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!
Did you like this post?
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.
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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.
I absolutely loved this post! Cartagena is such a beautiful destination, and these boutique hotels look like the perfect way to experience its charm. I can’t wait to visit and explore the unique styles and atmospheres at each of these places. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I hope you get to visit and enjoy one of these boutique hotels in Cartagena soon!
I absolutely loved this post! Cartagena has such a vibrant atmosphere, and the boutique hotels you highlighted seem perfect for experiencing its charm. Can’t wait to plan my trip and check out these beautiful spots!
Glad you liked it!
I absolutely loved this list! Cartagena has such a unique charm, and the boutique hotels you featured really capture its beauty. I’m especially drawn to Hotel Quadrifolio—it looks so cozy and luxurious! Can’t wait to visit and experience it all firsthand. Thank you for the recommendations!
Hope you have a great time!
I absolutely loved this post! Cartagena is such a beautiful destination, and I’m always on the lookout for unique boutique hotels. Your recommendations are spot-on and the descriptions really captured the charm of each place. Can’t wait to plan my trip and stay at one of these lovely hotels! Thank you for the great insights!
Great. Enjoy!