Plan a TripYour Guide to Comfort and Value: The Best Mid-Range Hotels in Cartagena, Colombia
If you're planning a trip to Cartagena, you're going to love it. It's a city split between the old and the new, offering a unique mix of Caribbean beaches and incredible, preserved colonial history.
When it comes to picking a place to stay, you essentially have three main areas to choose from, and your choice will heavily influence your trip. The Walled City (Centro Histórico) and the adjacent Getsemaní neighborhood are where you find the historic charm—think colorful buildings, stunning architecture, and a lively, walkable atmosphere. Staying here means you are steps away from all the main sights, but it also generally comes with a premium price tag.
The other major option is the high-rise, modern peninsula of Bocagrande (including El Laguito). This area is where you find the large, high-rise, ocean-facing hotels, often with resort-like amenities and direct beach access. It feels more like Miami, offering a great view and a slightly better price/value ratio for larger, contemporary rooms, though it requires a short (and cheap) taxi ride to the historic center. We also have a few options slightly north in El Cabrero, which is quieter, closer to the airport, and still a quick ride to the Walled City.
This list is for travelers who want to enjoy the beauty of Cartagena without paying top-tier, luxury prices. We've focused on hotels that deliver above-average comfort, modern amenities, and a great location, ensuring you get excellent value for your money.
🏖️ Modern Comfort and Ocean Views: Bocagrande & El Laguito
These hotels are ideal for travelers who prioritize high-rise hotel amenities like large pools, sea views, and a modern, full-service experience.
Hyatt Regency Cartagena
A standout for modern luxury in the Bocagrande area, the Hyatt Regency offers an excellent hotel experience with its sleek design and spectacular views. The rooms are contemporary, spacious, and very well-appointed, and the service is consistently praised as exceptional. Its three outdoor pools, including infinity options, are a major highlight.
- Pros: Multiple beautiful pools, contemporary and spacious rooms, exceptional staff service, great for families and couples.
- Cons: Located in the modern high-rise area, requiring a short taxi ride to the historic Walled City.
InterContinental Cartagena De Indias by IHG
The InterContinental is another top-tier choice in Bocagrande, known for its incredible infinity pool offering gorgeous sunset views over the bay. Guests consistently rate the large rooms, quality breakfast, and professional staff highly. It's a reliable choice for a high level of comfort and service.
- Pros: Stunning infinity pool with a view, strong reputation for excellent staff, large and comfortable rooms, good location in Bocagrande.
- Cons: Check-in can occasionally be slow during peak times.
Hilton Cartagena
Situated on the quiet El Laguito peninsula, the Hilton offers a resort-like atmosphere with direct beach access, multiple dining options, and a family-friendly pool area complete with a waterslide. Its size and range of facilities make it a great option for longer stays or for families.
- Pros: Direct beach access, large pool area with family-friendly features, multiple on-site dining options, quiet location.
- Cons: The decor in common areas is noted by some guests as slightly dated, requires a short drive to the Old Town.
Estelar Cartagena de Indias Hotel
This hotel impresses with its modern, sleek design and particularly magnificent views from its rooms and the rooftop bar on the 51st floor. It's located right on Bocagrande beach, offering easy access to the sand and sea. Reviewers rave about the breathtaking panoramic views.
- Pros: Magnificent views, excellent location right on Bocagrande beach, great facilities including a stunning rooftop, very friendly staff.
- Cons: High-floor rooms can sometimes experience noise from the 51st-floor club/bar.
Hotel Dann Cartagena
Another solid option on the El Laguito peninsula, the Hotel Dann is frequently praised for its very spacious rooms and the excellent attitude of its staff. It provides direct beach access and a clean pool area, making it an easy and comfortable base for your trip.
- Pros: Direct beach access and pool, very spacious rooms, exceptionally friendly and attentive staff, well-maintained facilities.
- Cons: Some guests mention the decor is slightly more traditional than the sleekest newer hotels.
Holiday Inn Express Cartagena Bocagrande by IHG
If you're looking for the quality of a reliable chain hotel at a great value, this is a strong contender. Located close to the beach and local restaurants in Bocagrande, it offers clean, spacious, and modern rooms. The rooftop pool is a pleasant spot to cool off with a view.
- Pros: Excellent value for a modern hotel, great location near restaurants and the beach, very clean rooms, nice rooftop pool and fitness center.
- Cons: Bathrooms in some standard rooms can be small, breakfast buffet can get busy.
OZ Hotel Collection
A modern and stylish choice in Bocagrande, the OZ Hotel Collection stands out for its impressive design and aesthetics, offering a chic, almost boutique-style feel without the boutique price. It's close to the beach and provides clean, contemporary accommodation.
- Pros: Modern and stylish design, great price for the quality, helpful bellhops and professional front-facing staff, excellent cleanliness.
- Cons: Elevator service can be slow, general staff attention (outside of bellhops) can be inconsistent.
🏰 Culture and Convenience: Walled City & Getsemaní
For those who want to be immersed in the historic heart of the city, these options blend the classic colonial atmosphere with modern amenities.
Nacar Hotel Cartagena, Curio Collection by Hilton
A fantastic choice for a reliable brand within the Walled City, the Nacar Hotel blends into the historic setting while offering large, modern, and very comfortable rooms. Its location is excellent, just a short walk from key attractions, and it features a lovely rooftop bar and pool area.
- Pros: Prime location within the Walled City, spacious and comfortable modern rooms, excellent staff service, great rooftop pool and bar.
- Cons: It's a pricier option on this list, reflecting the premium for the Walled City location.
Hotel Santa Catalina By OxoHotel
Located right in the Walled City, this hotel is a gem. The rooftop area, with its pool and spectacular views, is a major draw. Guests are very satisfied with the overall experience, especially its perfect location for exploring the historic center on foot.
- Pros: Perfect location right inside the Walled City, amazing rooftop pool and view, great comfort and overall guest satisfaction.
- Cons: As with all Walled City hotels, rooms can be more compact than those in high-rise buildings.
GHL Arsenal Hotel
Located in the vibrant and trendy Getsemaní neighborhood, this hotel is just outside the Walled City, making it a short, safe walk to all the action. It offers a stylish, contemporary stay with a highly-rated rooftop pool area and excellent views of the bay and convention center.
- Pros: Excellent location near the Walled City and in the heart of Getsemaní, beautiful rooftop pool with a view, very comfortable and clean rooms, great value.
- Cons: The breakfast room can be small and busy during peak hours.
Hotel Casa Don Luis by Faranda Boutique, a member of Radisson Individuals
Blending the colonial feel with modern comfort, this hotel offers a superb experience within the Walled City. It features high standards of cleanliness and service, and while it maintains a boutique feel, its affiliation with Radisson ensures consistency and reliable amenities.
- Pros: Exceptional location in the Walled City, very clean and comfortable rooms, friendly and attentive staff, quiet indoor pool area.
- Cons: Facilities are more focused on relaxation (sauna, small pool) than a full resort experience.
✈️ Quiet Retreats and Easy Access: El Cabrero & La Boquilla
These hotels are slightly further from the heart of the action but offer great amenities, a quieter environment, and a quick taxi ride back to the Walled City.
Radisson Cartagena Ocean Pavillion Hotel
Located in the La Boquilla area, this Radisson is a bit removed from the downtown bustle, offering a peaceful, modern hotel experience closer to the airport. It's noted for its superb pool and jacuzzi facilities, and consistently high-quality breakfast.
- Pros: Excellent pool and jacuzzi facilities, exceptional breakfast quality, very friendly staff, quiet location away from the crowds.
- Cons: Requires a taxi ride to get to the Walled City (not walkable), maintenance issues are occasionally reported.
GHL Corales de Indias
This large, contemporary hotel in La Boquilla is a great value option, especially popular with families due to its large pool facilities and comfortable, apartment-style rooms (many with a small living area). It's close to the airport and offers a good base for a relaxing stay.
- Pros: Great value for money, large pool area, comfortable rooms (many with separate living space), very close to the airport.
- Cons: The beach nearby is average, food quality in the buffet is sometimes inconsistent, requires a taxi to all major attractions.
Hotel Las Americas Torre del Mar
A large and well-regarded hotel in the Crespo area, located right on the beach and close to the airport. Guests love the incredible pools, the massive gym, and the overall cleanliness. It offers a luxurious resort feel with a high standard of service and dining options.
- Pros: Incredible, multiple swimming pools, huge gym facility, exceptional cleanliness, consistently great food, strong resort amenities.
- Cons: Further north from Bocagrande and the Walled City, requiring more frequent taxi use.
Wyndham Garden Cartagena
Located slightly outside the city center near the airport (Crespo neighborhood), this Wyndham provides modern, clean, and spacious rooms with balconies and a highly-rated rooftop pool. It's a great option for comfort and value if you don't mind a 10-15 minute taxi ride to the Walled City.
- Pros: Very comfortable and spacious rooms with balconies, excellent staff service, good rooftop pool and bar, close proximity to the airport.
- Cons: Not walkable to the main tourist areas, some past reports of inconsistent hot water or minor room humidity issues.