Best Hotels in Cartagena for All Budgets and Travelers

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Are you looking for the best hotels in Cartagena, Colombia?

Well, the best Cartagena hotels are truly in the eye of the traveler.

The best hotel in Cartagena for you might be the most luxurious, or it might be the most family friendly, or it might be the most romantic, or it might be the best value.

In this post, I’m going to share my picks for the top hotels in Cartagena at different price points and award some superlatives that give the best options for different kinds of travelers, all based on my decade plus living there.

So, read on to learn all about Cartagena, Colombia’s best hotels for every budget and traveler!

Picking the Best Hotels in Cartagena

Sitting down to pick these hotels raised some questions about just what people want when they search for the best hotels in Cartagena.

Do they just want the most expensive, top hotels in Cartagena, end of story?

Do they want a list of the most romantic colonial hotels?

Do they want something family friendly?

Do they want the best beachfront hotels, the best rooftop pool, or the best ocean views?

Do they want to known the most unique and coolest hotels in Cartagena or want to find some hidden gems that are great values?

Or, do they just want the cheapest hotel, end of story?

I’ve tried to cover all those bases in this list of Cartagena’s best hotels.

I’ll start by giving some options for the best Cartagena hotels at different price points.

Then, I’ll award some superlatives for categories like the best hotels for a romantic getaway, the best hotels for families, and the best hotels in the most popular areas.

So, hopefully this list of top Cartagena, Colombia hotels will have something for every budget and type of traveler!

Top Hotels in Cartagena By Price Point

Let’s start by discussing the best hotels in Cartagena by budget.

I think most people will base their decision in large part on price, anyways.

Or, well, at least that’s what I tend to do.

I should give the caveat that prices are always subject to change, hotels run promotions, prices vary by room type, and exchange rates fluctuate.

That’s not to mention that everyone’s budget and definition of what’s expensive, what’s midrange, and what’s a value is also different.

However, I’ve defined high end as hotels that will likely cost $250 USD and up a night, midrange as roughly between $150 to $250 a night, and budget friendly as generally less than $150 a night.

Click the links to the hotel names to verify price and book a room.

Best High End Hotels in Cartagena

Let’s start with the priciest hotels, which by most accounts, are probably the very best hotels in Cartagena, at least if you have the budget for them.

The trio of the Casa San Agustín, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, and the Charleston Santa Teresa are pretty tough to beat. Set to open in late 2025, the Four Seasons Cartagena should join them soon.

They are all located in gorgeous colonial buildings. The Santa Clara and Santa Teresa were colonial era convents. They also all have really well regarded service.

As the only true 5 star quality hotels in Cartagena, they cost a pretty peso too.

If you can “settle” for a slight tier down to 4 star quality, the Casona del Colegio is a great value for a luxury colonial boutique, Hotel Movich has arguably the best view in the city (it’s where Susana and I are at the photo at the top), and the Hotel Capellán in Getsemaní offers charm and luxury in a great location.

If you’ve got the budget for it, just go ahead, stop reading, and book one of those.

They are inarguably the top hotels in Cartagena. Set to open in late 2025, the Four Seasons Cartagena will join them soon.

Best Mid Range Hotels in Cartagena

There’s a ton of options for good midrange hotels in Cartagena.

To be honest, I think this price range is where you can find good value, especially if you’re willing to do some comparison shopping and look for discounted rates.

If you want something with colonial charm, I’d suggest looking at the Casa Claver and OSH Hotel.

In a more modern building but with a great location and great view, Sophia Hotel is another great option in the historic districts.

Finally, the Bovedas de Santa Clara offers you access to the wonderful pool and other common areas at the Santa Clara.

If you’re looking for a more modern hotel experience, the top options in the high rises of the beachfront district of Bocagrande fall into this price range.

The Hyatt Regency is the nicest and you’ll see it mentioned in several of the superlative sections below.

Next door, the Hotel Estelar also has terrific oceanfront views and is a great option. Meanwhile, the Intercontinental is located by the best section of Bocagrande’s beach.

Best Budget Friendly Hotels

In this section, I’ve tried to include places I consider really good values but are not necessarily so cheap but also some true budget options.

The Casa Isabel, the Casa Cytia, and Casa Tere, all in Getsemaní, as well as the Casa India Catalina, in the Walled City, are all really good values and have great reviews. They make really good options if you’re looking for something nice that has some amenities like a small pool but won’t break the bank.

If you want something a little more bare bones but still clean and comfortable, consider the Hotel El Viajero or the Viajero #2. The Hotel Tres Banderas is also a really good option that is just a bit pricier.

Of course, a hostel is a good option too, and many of them offer both dorms and private rooms that feel a bit more like a traditional hotel experience while still allowing for the social and budget friendly perks of staying in a hostel.

See my picks for the best hostels in Cartagena here. If you’re in a hurry, I’d suggest the Viajero Centro or the Viajero Getsemaní hostels.

Cartagena, Colombia Best Hotels Superlatives

Ok, we’ve covered the best Cartagena hotels defined simply by price.

Now, let’s award some best hotels in Cartagena superlatives for particular niches and types of travelers.

Best Luxury Hotel and Best Hotel in the Walled City: Casa San Agustín

The Casa San Agustín is without a doubt the finest hotel in Cartagena, at least until the Four Seasons opens.

It’s spread across 3 former colonial homes and is absolutely lovely. It’s well known for providing exceptional service and is located in the heart of the Walled City.

Its restaurant Alma is also great.

As mentioned above, the Sofitel Santa Clara and Charleston Santa Teresa are a very close second and third, and they’ll be mentioned in some other superlatives later on this list too.

Best Luxury Bang for Your Peso and Best Boutique Hotel: Casona del Colegio

I think the Casona del Colegio is an absolutely great value.

That doesn’t mean it’s cheap, by any means.

However, it offers an experience not far behind the hotels mentioned above at much more reasonable prices.

It’s also located in a great spot in the heart of the Walled City, has a good restaurant, and we thought the service was wonderful on our staycation here.

The corner suites with mini-pools on their balconies look really terrific and cost about the same as standard rooms at the higher end hotels above.

Other good luxury values include the Capellán de Getsemaní and OSH Hotel.

You might also want to check out my other suggestions for luxury hotels in Cartagena and boutique hotels in Cartagena.

Best Hotel in Getsemaní: Hotel Capellán

While I imagine I’ll have to place the Four Seasons here once it opens, for now the Hotel Capellán is my top choice for the best hotel in Getsemaní.

As mentioned above, it’s also not a bad value for a luxury hotel.

The hotel is really nice. Rooms are pretty, there’s a nice rooftop pool, and there’s even a good restaurant on site.

It’s also close to everything, right in between the Walled City and Getsemaní.

The OSH Hotel is also a great option in Getsemaní as is the Casa Tere if you’re looking for something more affordable.

Best Hotel in Bocagrande and Best Ocean Views: Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency is my pick for the best hotel in Bocagrande and the best high rise hotel in Cartagena.

There are also some terrific rooftop pools here with amazing views out over the Caribbean.

One of the tallest buildings in Cartagena, rooms looking out over the Caribbean will have terrific views. The bay side views aren’t shabby either!

Right next door, the Estelar would be my choice for a close second, with the winner in the next category a not far behind third.

Best Beachfront Hotel in Cartagena Proper: The Intercontinental

The Hyatt and Estelar are both oceanfront. However, there’s only a small sliver of beach where they are located, right near the start of the Bocagrande peninsula.

Meanwhile, the Hotel Intercontinental is located a bit further up and just across from the nicest stretch of Bocagrande Beach.

To be honest, I actually don’t love this beach because it tends to get crowded, but there’s no nicer combination of quality hotel and quality beach in the city.

You can find less crowds at the beach by the Cartagena Hilton as well as at Hotel Las Americas, which you’ll see featured in another category shortly.

They are a bit further away from the Walled City though. If you think you’ll spend a lot of time on the beach though, they might be a better option to avoid those crowds.

However, I actually recommend skipping a Cartagena beachfront hotel entirely and splitting your time at a place in Getsemaní or the Walled City and at a place out in the islands (see the next section!).

You can see more of my recommendations for Cartagena beach hotels here though.

Best Hotel in Cartagena’s Islands: Sofitel Calablanca

I consider an escape to the Cartagena islands to be pretty much a must do during your visit.

Spending a night or even several nights out here is a great way to get some extra relaxation and makes the perfect complement to spending some time in town.

There are a number of good options, but I think the place that will be most appealing to the greatest number of travelers is the Sofitel Calablanca.

It’s located in an isolated spot on Barú Island, so it has what amounts to a private beach. There’s a nice pool, and it’s really the nicest modern resort style place in the islands. I especially appreciate that they offer a variety of activities, such as cooking classes, mixology classes, and outdoor movie nights.

Now, if you want something that really captures the nature of the islands, the luxury bungalows at Las Islas are really spectacular. I think it’s a better choice for a romantic getaway than for families though.

Meanwhile, IslaBela is a good value with nice bungalows if you can do without the extra amenities. It’s our personal favorite hotel in the islands (see my review here).

Isla del Encanto offers a happy medium with luxury townhouse style bungalows with modern amenities like TVs and pools. So, it makes a great choice for just about any type of traveler, including families, too.

You can see more options in my post on the best Rosario Islands hotels, or if you have a shorter trip, check out my picks for the best Rosario Islands day trips.

Best Rooftop Pool: Charleston Santa Teresa

Ah, rooftop pools.

They are such a nice extra perk in Cartagena!

Not only are they great for cooling off after exploring in that hot Caribbean sun, but you also get to take in the view, maybe with a tasty drink.

A lot of the boutique hotels have smaller rooftop pools.

Hotel Movich has probably the best view from their rooftop pool and bar, and the Hyatt has a big rooftop pool that has a stunning view of the Caribbean.

However, I think the best overall rooftop pool is the one at the Charleston Santa Teresa.

While not gigantic, it’s bigger than the pools at most of the hotels in the Walled City, including Movich. You also get a great view of the bay, the high rises in Bocagrande, the churches, and the Caribbean.

Plus, it’s already one of the nicest hotels in Cartagena.

If you can live with something smaller, the Casona del Colegio and Casa Claver also have nice views of the cathedrals nearby from their rooftop pools.

If you can live with something not on a rooftop, the pool at the Sofitel Santa Clara, in the former convent’s courtyard is one of the most charming scenes in all Cartagena.

Best Cartagena Hotel for a Romantic Getaway: Casa Pestagua

To be honest, I think just about all of the colonial boutique hotels are pretty good options for a romantic getaway. I chose this one because it’s a bit smaller and more intimate than some of the others.

The Casa Pestagua Relais Chateax once was a mansion belonging to the Count of Pestagua.

It is in a lovely building, and it only has 11 suites. They are all decked out with ornate, antique style beds. There is a nice pool on site, and the hotel also has a private beach club you can visit.

The San Agustín would, of course, be another great choice. The Sofitel Santa Clara’s setting is also really charming and the garden restaurant Jardín is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner whether you stay there or not.

Those corner suites at the Casona del Colegio’s with little jacuzzis seem pretty darn romantic too.

Oh, and if you want to split some time in town and in the islands, I can’t recommend Las Islas enough for a romantic spot in the islands!

Coolest Hotel in Cartagena and Best Hotel For Young Travelers: Townhouse

I love the vibes at Townhouse.

It’s certainly one of the coolest hotels in Cartagena, if not the coolest.

Their rooftop bar is a favorite of ours and has great cocktails and food. The all you can eat and drink brunch up there on weekends also fun, and there is frequently a DJ.

They’ve also got a cabaret bar downstairs that is kind of unique for Cartagena.

It’s also located in the heart of Centro and near everything. Rooms have a cool, eclectic style with a nature theme.

All that combines to make this the perfect spot for younger travelers, but the young at heart will also love it.

Best Hotel in Cartagena for Families: Hotel Las Americas

So, the truth is, I think a lot of hotels make fine family hotels in Cartagena. The one thing I definitely suggest keeping in mind is that a lot of the colonial boutique hotels only offer rooms with one bed.

A few that stand out in the historic districts are the Casa Claver, which has a few 2 bedroom loft style apartments with kitchenettes and the Capellán, which has 2 bedrooms suites.

In Bocagrande, the Hyatt, the Estelar, and the Intercontinental would all be fine family choices, but I think the Cartagena Hilton would be the best choice because it’s got multiple pools and things like tennis courts.

Amenities like this are why I have put Las Americas as the best family option though.

There are multiple pools here, and the beach outside the hotel is one of my favorite in the city. The have several restaurants offering decent, resort style food, that should have something crowd pleasing for everyone.

I think it’s an especially good choice for families with younger kids. It’s a bit further to go to the Walled City, but I think the trade off is worth it if traveling as a family.

There are two hotels here, the Torre del Mar and the Casa de la Playa. The Casa de la Playa is I think a bit more family friendly, but the Torre del Mar is newer and has nicer rooms.

Best Adults Only Hotel in Cartagena: Moet Cartagena

Maybe, you aren’t going to Cartagena with family.

In fact, maybe you’d prefer not to see anyone else’s kids either and want to know the best adults only hotel in Cartagena.

In that case, you might consider the Moet Cartagena Adults Only Boutique Hotel.

It’s located in the heart of Walled City, close to everything, has a nice pool, and has great looking rooms.

All with no pesky (I mean lovely) kids allowed.

While a lot of the luxury hotels and nicer boutique cater more to adults than children, this is the only official adults only hotel in Cartagena proper. So, it’s the only place you’re guaranteed not to see any children.

There is also the Eteka Beach Adults Only hotel on nearby Tierra Bomba Island, but I would only recommend it as a complement to a stay in town.

Best All Inclusive Hotel in Cartagena: Estelar Manzanillo

I’m closing this list of the best hotels in Cartagena for every kind of traveler with some all inclusive options.

They are the bottom of the list because, honestly, I don’t really recommend an all inclusive in Cartagena.

You can see a longer explanation as to why in my post on all inclusives in Cartagena, but the short version is that the there are so many great Cartagena restaurants and fun Cartagena nightlife, you won’t want to be locked away in a resort.

Plus, the all inclusive options in the city are pretty meh, while the better ones are too far away to get the most out of a visit, in my opinion.

The best of these is the Estelar Manzanillo. We did a staycation here once and enjoyed it.

It’s located about half an hour north of Cartagena. The rooms are nice. The beach is pretty good, and there are two nice pools on site.

Plus it’s a true all inclusive that includes alcoholic drinks. I’d still consider it pretty family friendly too though.

Dreams Karibana is located nearby, and it has a well regarded golf course and would make another good option. The Grand Sirenis is also located out here.

I’ve mentioned this advice already, but it bears repeating here. If you have the time for it, do a few nights in town and then a couple nights out in the islands, where the beaches are nicer.

Since there isn’t much else to do, you’re going to eat all your meals at the hotel anyway. The Isla del Encanto is the best all inclusive option out there, although it only includes your meals.

The Decameron Barú is a more traditional all inclusive but has mixed reviews.

Which of these hotels in Cartagena is best for you?

Ok, now you’ve got a full rundown on lots of options for the best Cartagena hotels by both price point and travel category.

Hopefully, this list was helpful for you and helped you decide which are the best Cartagena hotel options for you based on your own travel needs, wants, and budget.

Did you stay at one of these hotels?

Have a category you think I’m missing?

Have another hotel recommendation for other readers?

Let me know in the comments!

And do please check out all the other content on the site to help you plan your trip.

Cheers and Happy Exploring!