In the heart of Cartagena de Indias, the old Spanish colonial port that once dazzled conquistadors and corsairs alike, this hotel stands as both a tribute and testament to the city’s complex past: Moorish grandeur softened by Caribbean languor, tropical exuberance restrained by monastic stone.
Housed within three 17th century mansions, each painstakingly restored with reverence and restraint, Casa San Agustín is not a hotel but feels more like your own private mansion. Coral-stone walls bear the scars of time, original frescoes peek from beneath layers of limewash and a centuries-old aqueduct, improbably bisecting the courtyard pool, speaks to the genius of Spanish engineering and the hotelier’s poetic sensibility.
Step into any of the guest rooms each individually designed and you’ll find yourself enveloped by quiet grandeur. Whitewashed walls, dark timber beams, and breezy cottons are offset by carved antique headboards and handwoven hammocks. It feels as though the past has been gently curated rather than revived, the rooms a meditative blend of centuries and styles.
The bathrooms at Casa San Agustín continue the theme of understated luxury, featuring polished stone counters, walk-in rainfall showers, and designer toiletries. The combination of traditional materials and modern fixtures creates a spa-like ambiance, ensuring a refreshing and relaxing experience.
At Alma, the hotel’s refined restaurant, coastal Colombian cuisine is given its due with exceptional service and menu to match.
