There is nothing like being able to enjoy the best things during the holidays. So what better way to do it than by choosing one of the best 5-star hotels in Cartagena for your stay? If you want a luxurious experience during your visit to this beautiful Caribbean city, continue reading this article to learn about the best 5-star hotels in Cartagena and 4-star hotel options in Cartagena.
Cartagena mainly has beaches, islands, and amazing colonial architecture. Everything is a charm.
Walking through its streets, you can appreciate the beautiful balconies of the colonial houses covered with beautiful and colorful flowers and the imposing ornate wooden doors that show the riches of merchants and colonial officials who enjoyed this center of commerce during the time of the Suburb.
There is no better way to enjoy this city than staying in one of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena, which I will share here in this list of 5-star hotels in Cartagena and 4-star hotels.
This list of the best 5-star hotels in Cartagena has large hotels and smaller 5-star hotel options for a more intimate travel experience.
These are excellent options for those looking for romantic hotels in Cartagena.
Many of these 5-star hotels in Cartagena are restored colonial mansions, with luxury service and facilities to allow the traveler to live a sensational experience.
For an even more intimate experience, you can also consider the hotels on our list of the best boutique hotels in Cartagena (spoiler: there are some on both lists).
You will also find here some of the 5-star hotels in Cartagena in the modern part of the city, where there are exquisite hotels and the best hotel chains in the world.
Most of them are in Bocagrande.
Finally, in the list of the best 5-star hotels in Cartagena, you will also find a hotel located on the Island of Barú. Because no visit to Cartagena is complete without spending some time on the beach, and this is the most luxurious and unique beach hotel in Cartagena.
If you would like to know more options for luxury hotels facing the sea, I recommend you review this list of the best hotels on the beach in Cartagena.
However, the one that I recommend the most is to combine four or more nights in one of these 5-star hotels in Cartagena in the city with 1-3 more nights in the hotel in Barú at the end or one of the other best hotels in the Islands. Rosary. That allows you to enjoy both the historic city and the best beaches.
The best 5-star hotels in Cartagena
Now yes, without further ado, let’s go to the list of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena, Colombia!
You may wonder why this is a list of 11 and not 10, as we can usually find in other posts. The reason is that 11 has a special meaning for Cartagena since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and also because you deserve a little more than 10.
Casa San Agustín – Class and colonial luxury
Casa San Agustín is undoubtedly the best of the 5-star hotels in Cartagena. For this reason, it is the first on this list of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena, Colombia. It is in front of the University of Cartagena, in the city’s Historic Center.
The current hotel used to be three large colonial houses. These were restored and converted into a single luxury place, but their rooms are beautiful and luxurious.
In this luxury hotel in Cartagena, you can find Restaurante Alma, one of the best restaurants in the city of Cartagena (it’s worth dining there, whether you stay here or not).
The best hotel in the city is also one of the most expensive hotels in Cartagena. If your budget allows it, this should be your choice to stay in Cartagena.
Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara – Former convent
The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is located in a former convent on Plaza San Diego in the Historic Center of Cartagena. A few steps from the hotel, you will find some of the best restaurants in the city, squares, museums, and bars.
This charming luxury hotel in Cartagena has a spectacular swimming pool in its courtyard, beautiful spaces, and rooms that preserve the historical magic of the 17th century. It has luxury rooms with private balconies or terraces with views of the interior of the hotel or the wall and the Caribbean Sea.
This 5-star hotel in Cartagena de Indias offers its guests a unique experience of luxury and charm.
They have everything you need available for you to enjoy your visit to Cartagena to the fullest. The restaurant is excellent, and from its open-air Boticario bar, you can see the most beautiful sunsets. Other services available at this luxury hotel in Cartagena include a spa service, a meeting room, sports walks, yoga, champeta, salsa classes, and coastal Spanish classes.
All this allows this to be considered without a doubt one of the best romantic hotels in Cartagena de Indias and one of the most luxurious.
Charleston Santa Teresa – Another convent turned luxury hotel
The Charleston Santa Teresa hotel is next on this list of the 11 best 5-star hotels in Cartagena, Colombia. Like the previous hotel, this hotel is also located in what was a convent between 1600 and 1800. Therefore, this colonial building is very representative of the history of Cartagena.
The hotel spaces have a contemporary style combined with the historical atmosphere of Cartagena. You can have a gastronomic experience in Harry’s (be sure to try the crab nachos, whether you stay here or not). In addition, you can enjoy a spectacular pool on the terrace with a panoramic view of Cartagena. They have three meeting rooms and a spa as well.
The rooms of this 5-star hotel in Cartagena are elegantly furnished and have that perfect combination of colonial charm and modern comfort. This is, without a doubt, an excellent option for a romantic hotel in Cartagena.
Movich – Luxury hotel in Cartagena with an incredible view from the terrace
The Hotel Movich is also located in the Historic Center of Cartagena, close to Parque Bolivar, a few steps from the Clock Tower and the San Pedro Claver Church.
It is well known for its spectacular terrace with a swimming pool, from where you can have a spectacular view of the bay and the entire city. I think the terrace of the Hotel Movich has the best view of the city and is one of my favorite places to have a cocktail at sunset in Cartagena. Whether you stay here or not, I recommend its fascinating terrace.
At the Hotel Movich, you can enjoy the gastronomic delicacies offered by its Alyzia restaurant. It also provides other services such as a gym, meeting room, and spa.
Its beautiful rooms, with an elegant and modern style, are equipped with everything you need to allow you to live an experience of luxury and comfort. This place is another of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena de Indias.
Casona del Colegio – colonial style with modern touches
La Casona del Colegio hotel is one of the newest luxury hotels in Cartagena. It is located on Calle del Colegio in the Historic Center of Cartagena, close to the Clock Tower, the emblematic Cartagena Cathedral, the Gold Museum, and Plaza de Bolivar.
Through the thematic decoration of its spaces, this luxury hotel shows important aspects of Colombia, including its great cultural and natural diversity. Besides being beautiful, the rooms are comfortable and perfectly combine modern elegance, colonial style, and unique touch.
Adam and I stayed here for a few nights to treat ourselves to something special. The service was spectacular. The food and drinks in the restaurant were excellent.
What we would have done differently is take one of the corner suites with a private balcony with a Jacuzzi-type plunge pool. It also has a swimming pool on its terrace with a spectacular view of the emblematic Cartagena Cathedral (you can read more about our experience in English and see more photos here).
And the truth, while it was not cheap, we thought it was a good value. In other words, it offers a 5-star hotel experience in Cartagena, such as Alma or Santa Teresa, at better prices.
In short, Casona del Colegio takes a well-deserved space in this list of the best 5-star hotels in Cartagena.
Bastión Luxury Hotel – Elegance with class
Bastion Luxury Hotel is a luxurious hotel in Cartagena de Indias located on Calle del Sargento Mayor in the Historic Center. It is built in what was a colonial house from the 16th century, specially restored to offer its guests a unique and fascinating experience.
It is a few steps from the main tourist attractions and the best restaurants in the city. The rooms of this 5-star hotel in Cartagena have a unique decoration with colonial airs from the Victorian era with details inspired by the high British nobility, in which you will have everything you need to live a great experience of rest, intimacy, and comfort.
This hotel also has an excellent restaurant with exquisite gourmet cuisine, a terrace with panoramic views, and a gym. Although it is a bit smaller compared to the other 5-star hotel options in Cartagena, this is undoubtedly an excellent alternative and could not be left out of this list of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena de Indias.
Hotel Capellán – Luxury outside the Walled City
Located just steps from the Walled City, in the historic and colorful neighborhood of Getsemaní, Hotel Capellán is one of Cartagena’s newest luxury hotels.
Its strategic location allows you to walk to the different tourist attractions within the Historical Center and, simultaneously, be close to the best nightlife on Calle de la Media Luna or Plaza de la Trinidad, where many travelers and locals gather. To share and enjoy the distinctive cultural atmosphere of Cartagena.
This hotel is of Spanish colonial style, and its spaces have been created to offer its guests the best experience during their stay in Cartagena. Its beautiful and comfortable rooms are equipped with everything you need to feel at ease. It is decorated with bright warm tones, making you feel a sense of rest and comfort, which is just what is required after a day of exploration when touring the beautiful city of Cartagena.
At this 4-star hotel in Cartagena, you can enjoy Colombian cuisine with its Caribbean flavors at the Clero restaurant. There is also a spectacular view of the city from the terrace, where you can take a relaxing dip in the pool and, at the same time, enjoy a refreshing drink from its Abadesa bar. Spectacular sunsets can also be seen here.
This is why this place deserves to be on this list as one of the best hotels in Cartagena de Indias.
Arsenal Hotel – Another luxury hotel in Getsemaní
Located on Calle del Arsenal in Getsemaní, Arsenal Hotel (formerly called Allure Chocolat) is close to the best nightlife in the city. It is a few steps from the Convention Center and the Clock Tower.
This luxury hotel in Getsemaní, Cartagena, offers you a unique and exclusive experience with impeccable service, providing everything you need to have the level of rest and comfort you deserve after a day of hiking and adventures in the Heroic City.
You can have an incredible view of the Bay of Cartagena or the Old City from the beautiful rooms. The rooms are elegantly decorated and equipped with all the amenities you need to live the best experience of rest and comfort.
It has a swimming pool in the terrace area, from where you can have a spectacular view of the city and contemplate beautiful sunsets, in addition to the excellent gastronomic offer of its restaurants.
This is an excellent alternative for its value for money, another characteristic for which I recommend it as one of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena, Colombia.
Estelar – Modern luxury hotel in Cartagena
Located in the modern and exclusive neighborhood of Bocagrande in Cartagena, the Estelar hotel is one of the city’s highest and newest luxury hotels, as well as its neighboring hotel, the Hyatt Regency (another good option for luxury hotels in Bocagrande in Cartagena).
The Estelar Hotel has a large swimming pool with an incredible view of the Caribbean Sea. However, if you want an even more impressive panoramic view, you can go up to the 51 Sky Bar in this same hotel, which, as its name suggests, is located on the 51st floor.
The rooms at this hotel are lovely, with a sophisticated and modern style, equipped with everything you need to enjoy a luxurious and comfortable experience. The beaches are just a short walk from the hotel, as are a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
This 5-star hotel in Bocagrande, Cartagena, is just a 5-minute taxi ride from the walled city and the city’s major tourist attractions. This is, without a doubt, one of the best 5-star hotels in Bocagrande, Cartagena.
- The Estelar Playa Manzanillo Hotel is the sister property of the Estelar Cartagena de Indias. It is located on the outskirts of Cartagena (half an hour by taxi from the Historical Center). It is a luxury hotel on the beach for those who prefer an experience away from the city’s noise and want a quieter time but with the luxurious services offered by these 5-star hotels.
Radisson Ocean Pavillion – For beach lovers
The Radisson Ocean Pavillion hotel is located north of the city, about 10 minutes by taxi from the Historic Center of Cartagena in the area known as La Boquilla or Zona Norte.
Due to its strategic location facing the sea, this hotel becomes an excellent option for luxury hotels facing the beach in Cartagena for those who want to enjoy the beach a lot during their stay in the beautiful Heroic City. Furthermore, the beach here is broader and less crowded than in the city.
This luxury hotel has a spectacular outdoor pool on the terrace overlooking the sea, a children’s pool, whirlpool tubs, a gym, and a spa. Its beautiful rooms with colorful Caribbean decorations are comfortable, modern, and luxurious.
Despite not being located in the heart of the Historical Center or the exclusive Bocagrande neighborhood, the Radisson deserves a spot on this list of the best luxury hotels in Cartagena, Colombia.
Hotel Las Islas – Escape to a luxury hotel in the Rosario Islands
The Hotel Las Islas is not in the city as such, but no trip to Cartagena is complete without spending at least a few nights on the nearby islands. Just because it is in the last place on this list does not mean it is not as good as the others.
This is possibly the best of all the 5-star hotels in Cartagena de Indias. It is recognized for offering the best luxury and exclusivity experience on the islands of Cartagena. However, the new Sofitel Calablanca will already be intense competition, and the Hotel Isla del Encanto is also very good.
It is in the middle of the mangroves of the Island of Barú. Its private bungalows, some in the middle of the mangroves and others facing the sea, have an impressive combination of elegance, exclusivity, and nature. Some of its bungalows have their own pool or Jacuzzi.
You probably won’t want to stay here for your entire visit to Cartagena since you won’t have the facility to tour the tourist sites in the city. Still, you could contemplate staying in this paradise for at least a couple of nights while you keep the rest of the time in one of the 5-star hotels in Cartagena in Bocagrande or the old city.
