Hotel Boutique Casona del Colegio
Creatives’ canvas
Walled City wonder
Hotel Boutique Casona del Colegio is a picture-pretty ode to Colombian culture in the beating heart of Cartagena’s Old Town. Local artisans were called on to dress its one-of-a-kind spaces, resulting in colorful, art-adorned interiors. Heritage, too, is the spark behind all-Colombian plates in the restaurant. And a spa cabin and bar-edged rooftop pool are sure to kickstart your own tryst with this vibrant pocket of Colombia.
Facilities
Rooms
13, including three suites.
Checkout
Between noon and 2pm. Check-in is at 3pm, but flexible, on request and subject to availability.
More Details
Rates include a buffet breakfast, and à la carte options are available on request.
Also
Unfortunately this boutique retreat isn’t suitable for guests with limited mobility.
Free Internet Access
Laundry
Pool
On-Site Restaurant
Room Service
Spa
At the Hotel
Courtyard, lounge areas, concierge, charged laundry service and free WiFi throughout. In rooms: smart TV, air-conditioning, minibar, Nespresso coffee machine, tea-making kit, free glass-bottled water, bathrobes and Loto del Sur bath products.
Our Favourite Rooms
All but the Superior offer private city-watching balconies. But we’re all for kicking the luxury up a notch, and here, that means snagging a Junior Suite for striking scenes of the Walled City. One of the two also nods to the city’s historic mansions, with lofty vaulted ceilings and exposed brick interiors. For a Jacuzzi of your own, secure one of the three suites.
Poolside
The heated outdoor pool (open 8am to 8pm) rests peacefully on the rooftop, surveying the city’s terracotta roofs. Steps lead down to a terrace lined with sunloungers, primed to lap up Cartagena’s balmy rays.
Spa
There’s a small two-person spa steps from the rooftop pool, hidden in an all-wood hut and decked out with a high-spec sauna, relaxation room and two treatment beds. There’s also a duo of side-by-side tubs if you’re seeking something a little sultrier (without compromising on legroom).
Packing Tips
For evenings, bring along your most glamorous vintage threads to pair with the storied elegance of Casona del Colegio’s setting.
Also
Now an events venue, the building opposite Casona del Colegio dates back to 1537, built in the original Cartagena de Indias alongside the city’s first cathedral (since burnt down).
Children
Little Smiths are welcome, but this city escape is better tailored to adults.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
During the day, take a tree-shaded table in the central courtyard. And come evening, sit by the open kitchen to watch chefs at work.
Dress Code
Take your cues from the traditional elegance of Costa’s dining room to wear hand-embellished, vintage or upcycled threads.
Hotel Restaurant
Everything at Casona del Colegio is all Colombian, and Restaurante Costa is no exception. Chef Alejandra Mejia spotlights this coastal city’s ocean larder in well balanced dishes such as sea bass in coconut sauce with fried plantains and seafood linguine laden with mussels, prawns and octopus.
Hotel Bar
There’s no formal bar, but there are plenty of spirited cocktails to pick from at the restaurant, including a punchy, rum-based concoction, the Tribu Wayuu. You’ll also find a small, guests-only, rooftop bar up by the pool.
Last Orders
Breakfast is served from 6.30am; lunch from noon, and dinner from 7pm. The restaurant and bar close at 10.30pm.
Room Service
Anything from the restaurant’s menu can be brought to your door between 6.30am and 10.30pm.
Planes
Most flights touch down in Rafael Núñez International Airport, a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Private transfers can be arranged for COP80,000 (around US$20) each way.
Automobiles
If you’re staying in the city, you shouldn’t need a car; but if you do bring a set of wheels, there’s a private carpark a few minutes’ walk away and the hotel can arrange valet parking with advanced notice.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Hotel Boutique Casona del Colegio’s Old Town co-ords mean you’re never far from Cartagena’s action. Get to know your locale with a walking tour of the city’s 500-year-old history; or take to its galleries, workshops, studios and adorned streets with a guided art or photography tour. Mingle with locals in Plaza de Santo Domingo and Plaza de la Aduana, where artisan-managed market stalls and independent eateries draw creative crowds. If you’d rather escape the city for a day, the Rosario Islands, characterized by their sugar-white sands and clear Caribbean waters, are a 30-minute boat ride from the nearby Los Pegasos Pier.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
