Casa San Agustin

Overview

Within the UNESCO-protected walls of Cartagena, where bougainvillea cascades over centuries-old stone and Caribbean breezes carry whispers of colonial romance, Casa San Agustin emerges as an exquisite embodiment of Colombia's most enchanting port city. Spread across three masterfully restored 17th-century homes, this intimate hotel – the only Leading Hotels of the World property in the country – weaves together the threads of history with contemporary Colombian life, creating an experience that feels less like a stay and more like stepping into the city's storied past.

The sense of place is immediate and profound. Original frescoes grace the library walls, hand-wrought ironwork tells stories of Spanish craftsmen, and centuries-old wooden beams soar overhead. At the heart of the property, an ancient aqueduct serves as the backdrop for the hotel's luminous courtyard pool, where dappled sunlight plays across whitewashed walls. Each of the 31 rooms and suites has been thoughtfully crafted to honor Cartagena's architectural heritage, adorned with artisanal details from bespoke ironwork beds to locally commissioned furnishings.

Culinary excellence finds its soul at Alma Restaurant, where celebrated chef Heberto Eljach transforms traditional Colombian flavors with global sophistication in an atmospheric indoor-outdoor setting. As evening falls, the sounds of live tropical music drift through the courtyard, while the sophisticated Alma Bar crafts cocktails that capture the spirit of the Caribbean. Chef Eljach also helms AniMare at sister property Casa Pestagua, where colonial arches frame a celebration of ancestral Caribbean and Pacific coastal flavors.

Beyond the hotel's walls, the cobbled streets of the Old City beckon with their UNESCO-protected treasures. Perfectly positioned in the heart of the historic center, the hotel puts the city's finest galleries, boutiques, and restaurants just steps from the front door. From the dome of the Cathedral to the church of San Pedro Claver, history unfolds at every turn. After days of exploration, guests find sanctuary in the Aurum Spa, where ancient healing traditions meet contemporary wellness in treatments that draw inspiration from pre-Colombian gold rituals and traditional Moroccan hammam practices.

At Casa San Agustin, every detail speaks to the romance of Cartagena's past while embracing the vibrant energy of its present – creating an experience that captures the very essence of this remarkable corner of the Caribbean.