The hotel is perfectly located, in the old city, everything is walking distance around. It is in old traditional house, beautiful, with gorgeous courtyard areas - one area has a fountain and the tables for meals, the other has the swimming pool. On the top there is a terace that has the whirlpool and great views of the town. The rooms are spacious and nicely arranged, invoking unique mood, not the feeling of a standard hotel room. the bathroom is large and beautiful. The service was exceptional; in the evening we arrived back to our room to find rose petals and candles decorating the path from the door to the bed. I would stay there every time.

The house belonged to a marquis, this hotel is a blend of history, elegance and sophistication. The room was spacious and well decorated, but the terraces are a dream, the pool, the hanging plants, their little secrets like a dinning room in a wine cellar.. everything.
The service is excellent, staff friendly, helpful and always willing to help. The breakfast, terrific both the food and the place where it’s served. Not cheap, but if you want to take a whim, this is the place.

if you can afford
Casa Pombo, stay there. An amazingly restored, renovated and renewed courtyard property with 3 story aparments, each with pools and unique features, full kitchens, salons, and great staff. Owned by Casa Pastugua. this is total luxury!

This is the third time I have been to Cartagena, and it is a wonderful old city to visit. So charming, very safe, wonderful museums, shops and restaurants. Casa Pestagua is a great home base to explore the old walled city. It is a small hotel, so it feels more like you are staying in your own private residence. We had a very large suite, with a massive marble shower. Very clean. There is free wifi in the common areas of the hotel, and a small spa which I didn't check out. The breakfast that is included was delicious, with fruit and pastry basket, and a Columbian specialty, egg and meat arepa - yum! In my opinion, this is a place to stay if you really want to stay in a place that feels like the old Cartagena. There are many great boutique hotels in the city, but some are very modern and feel more like Miami. The staff was very helpful and gracious. Jorge personally escorted me to a cash machine the first evening I was there, and to a private house where some friends were staying. That's service!