Stayed for 6 nights during 2/12. First 1/2 had 3rd flr room, then 5 flr room. The central courtyard/grounds are amazingly beautiful and historic; the pool and surrounding wings are newer but beautiful. There is history, ambiance and style.
The 3rd flr room was nice with a bar/sink/microwave, balcony overlooking the pool, but rather dated and dim bathroom. The 5flr was spacious with a huge balcony, but no bar area and the same old dim bathroom. The views over the pool and the ocean are incredible from the 5th flr. The suites in the old central part are modern/antique mix stylish, but with no views.
Breakfast is pricey but delicious with unique foods from Colombia represented. We had the best of many good dinners in Cartagena at the restaurant (1621). The bar has live music at times, and there was evening performances by the pool when we were there.
The staff were helpful; some speak english, but most only speak spanish. There were a few misunderstandings. Around the pool during the day they are always willing and helpful; treats of fruit skewers were served in the morning. The spa staff makes rounds with cool scented towels in the afternoon.
The gym is very small. Guests were swimming laps in the pool in the morning at times. The toucans are a delight. WiFi was free but a bit temperamental and annoying (the code had to be reentered every hour). The concierge was not that helpful (no feedback about restaurants, not knowing when bars were closed, recommending expensive and tacky trips to Playa Blanca).
Overall, the hotel needs some updates, but still highly recommended.

I can only recomend this hotel for that perfect family holiday vacation.
Spanish speaking is a big help but some of the staff speak english.
The staff, facilities and overall location are Perfect. Cartegena is full of
color, culture, history and its very safe for any traveler.
Our family spent Christmas and New Year here, the hotels festivities were
5 star... A must for any traveler thinking of Cartegena for vacations!!!

I am not staying at the hotel but many people told me to go over there to check it out.
The service is terrible, you have to wait for ages before someone comes to you (I had a drink at the swimming pool and one in front of the restaurant and also ate at the restaurant). My last time there were bird poop on the swimming pool tables!!! I expected a 5 stars service , I ended up with putting my cigarette ashes on the ground and ask a waiter to bring me something after waiting for at least 20 min.
For a 5 stars hotel and especialy for a hotel run by the supposed more classy french, I do not recommend anyone to go there. The prices are overated and the service is bad (to the exception of on guy at the swimming pool, his name was timmy or jimmy, ask for him, he's good). I just have to say that the food is great, at least it might be worth to check that out, but don't expect a good service.

If you are an American-USA PLEASE READ!!! I am in the military (US NAVY) and had to go to Cartagena for work. I stayed in the Santa Clara for approx 4 nights but had to travel to another city during my stay. I had approximately $600 USD stolen from my wallet that was on the nightstand during my first night's stay. I checked-in Wednesday, 20JULY2011 and left for dinner at 1900 and returned at 2200. The next morning I noticed ALL my COP (Colombian Pesos) gone from my wallet when I tried to pay for a taxi. I argued my point to management and security. They pulled up the door access log, which I never saw from the computer, and the time when 3 hotel representatives entered my room to count the money that was in my wallet (hotel policy) because the maid found my wallet with money in it so they count it for accuracy. I don't understand this! And get this, NEVER did the security manager or manager of the hotel EVER come and speak to me about it!!! EXTREMELY POOR customer service. The hotel may look nice from the outside but they have a bunch of crooks working the inside. When I asked to pull up the security video of the night my money was stolen they couldn't because they had an equipment malfunction. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! POOR, POOR, POOR! Ask yourself this question, would this happen in the USA staying in a $300+/night "5-star" (nothing is 5-star in Colombia using USA standards) hotel? The answer is NO!!! BEWARE and take a look at the SANTA TERESA, which is in a nicer hotel, in a better location in the "Old City," and different owners. The Santa Clara is owned by the French.