If you’d like to soak up some Caribbean sun but are seeking somewhere offering an alternative experience to the mainstream resort hotels, consider a city break in Cartagena, Colombia. This can be combined with a beach holiday or as a standalone trip. Its Old Town, Cartagena de Indias, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was a significant port town back in the 16th century. More recently, Cartagena has become a hip place to be, with super boutiques and restaurants, alongside its points of historical interest and access to the warm, azure Caribbean sea.
Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena
Stay on the Plaza San Diego in a 17th-century former nunnery in Cartagena’s historic quarter. You can still explore its hallowed hidden staircases and chapel, and the restaurant, 1621, is a reminder of the year the building was completed. Guests can also dine and drink at El Claustro, under cloister vaults, and in El Coro Lounge Bar, above a crypt. There are newer wings too, and a chic pool area. Choose a suite for butler service and one on the top floor bedrooms for sea views (you can see for 500 miles on a clear day).
Casa San Agustín
Welcome mocktails and snack platters, stocked minibars and cooked-to-order breakfasts all come as standard at the Casa San Augustin. Guests can hop on free loaner bikes to explore Cartagena, laze on the rooftop terrace’s rattan loungers or read a book in its library. Made up of three colonial-era buildings, the boutique hotel has retained its original architectural features. 30 bedrooms have Ortigia toiletries and shuttered windows; some have private patios and plunge pools, while the Suite Del Virrey boasts two rooftop terraces and an outdoor Jacuzzi. And a secluded courtyard accommodates a foliage-flanked heated freshwater pool.
Casa Lola Luxury Collection
A hotel of two parts, this comprises one 17th-century colonial house and one late 19th-century building, each restored to create an elegant and cosy ambience. This is complemented by antique and modern pieces, ethnic and artisan crafts and 500-thread count linens. The vibe on the open-air rooftop, however, is very much a contemporary one, with riviera style loungers, day beds, palms, a plunge pool and Lolita’s Bar. Dona Lola, the comida del Caribe is open for lunch and dinner, serving Spanish tapas and Caribbean-inspired dishes. You’ll find Casa Lola in the Old Town’s Getsemaní neighbourhood.