Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Cartagena

Hotel Quadrifolio is one of few boutique hotels in Cartagena’s walled city that allows children of any age. Most guests are still couples, but the hotel also sees quite a few families with children. The stunning, upscale property occupies a marvelously restored 17th-century Colombian mansion and staff members welcome guests like family. Eight individually decorated rooms are scattered across three floors, and overlook the gorgeous interior courtyard or Cartagena’s bustling city streets. On-site amenities include a pool, a rooftop hot tub and sundeck, and two multi-purpose common areas. However, the hotel doesn’t have a spa, fitness center, or restaurant. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

Children of all ages are welcome at this upscale boutique hotel in a bustling part of the historic walled city, but the majority of guests here are couples celebrating special occasions, such as weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries. The hotel’s 30 rooms evoke the building’s 17th-century grandeur. Entry-level Deluxe Rooms start at 409 square feet, which is more space than the average hotel room. All rooms feature lavish beds with fluffy duvets, iHomes, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and free minibars that are replenished daily. A stunning interior courtyard with a mosaic tile pool and a gorgeous rooftop with city views are real highlights, but the property’s best amenity is its acclaimed on-site restaurant, Alma. The fine-dining restaurant is considered one of Cartagena’s best (reservations are hard to nab). Casa San Agustin offers several freebies for all guests, including Wi-Fi throughout the property, bikes for guests to use in the city, and daily breakfast.  

Like most of its neighbors, Hotel Dann is housed in a modern high-rise building. Unlike most of its neighbors, Hotel Dann is located directly on the beach, instead of across the street. This distinction sets Hotel Dann apart from the pack, and makes it popular with families seeking a relaxing getaway. The hotel’s 80 rooms feature modern decor with a tropical flair, and are equipped with nice amenities like flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and fully stocked minibars. Most rooms are designed with families in mind; Standard King rooms feature a pull-out sofa bed, and Junior Suites have two sofa beds. The only drawback is that most rooms do not have bathtubs, which may be a problem for some families. Hotel Dann has a beautiful beachfront pool and a contemporary restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Freebies include daily breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Built in the 1970s, Hotel Playa Club isn’t the newest hotel in Bocagrande (Cartagena’s popular shopping, nightlife, and entertainment district), but it’s nicely maintained and blends in pretty well with many of its newer neighbors. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and safety deposit boxes, but guests have to pay for the key to the safe. Though they’re not glamorous, rooms come with multiple configurations -- with one bed, two double beds, or a double bed and one or two singles. Interconnecting rooms are available, and popular with families or groups traveling together (the majority of guests here are vacationing Colombian families). Try to request a non-street facing room, as rooms near the street are subject to lots of noise, especially on weekends. Breakfast is free for all guests and is served buffet style every morning. The buffet features multiple hot items, such as eggs, rice, chicken, and toast, along with fresh fruit and juices. Wi-Fi is free and works well across the property. 

The Holiday Inn Express Cartagena Bocagrande is a mid-range hotel that punches above its weight. Modern rooms are spacious and equipped with great amenities (flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, plenty of storage), plus there’s a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a small spa, and even a tiny mini market in the lobby. From the Holiday Inn Express, guests can easily walk to shops, restaurants, bars, and the beach, or take a 10-minute taxi ride to Cartagena’s historic walled city. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free for all guests, but some complain that breakfast options lack variety. 

Opened in 2015, San Lazaro is one of Cartagena’s newest hotels -- and it shows. Fresh modern decor fills the bright, open spaces of this 36-room, upper-middle-range property, where local artwork hangs in the hallways and glass walls offer stunning vistas of Castillo San Felipe across the street. Top-notch amenities include an on-site restaurant and a sleek rooftop pool. Unlike many hotel rooms in the old city, rooms at San Lazaro are large and incredibly spacious. All come with iPod docks and flat-screen TVs. The one glaring issue here is the hotel’s location in a developing area outside the walled city, though the hotel has excellent security. The historic walled city is about a 20-minute walk from the hotel, but we’d recommend taking a taxi at night. San Lazaro attracts all types of guests, from American couples to Brazilian families with children to Colombian business travelers. Most staff members speak at least a little bit of English, so travelers who don't speak Spanish shouldn’t be hesitant about the language barrier. 

Located in a residential neighborhood one block from the beach, the mid-range Hotel Cabrero Mar is a stylish 14-room property offering great bang for the buck. Rooms and apartments, many of which have balconies, feature modern decor and include such amenities as smart TVs, well-stocked minibars, and sleek bathrooms with rainfall walk-in showers. The hotel draws travelers from across the spectrum, and its apartment-style rooms with full kitchens are especially suitable for families and groups. Though it doesn’t have a pool, Cabrero Mar has an eighth-floor terrace with a large hot tub and awesome ocean views. Freebies include daily breakfast and fast Wi-Fi.

From its exterior, Hotel Cartagena looks like many of its neighbors in Bocagrande. The tall high-rise isn’t the newest or nicest on the block, but it offers prime access to the beach across the street. Interior renovations are aimed at millennials (Xboxes have been installed in some common areas). Executive-level suites have multiple bedrooms, separate living spaces, Xbox consoles, and bathrooms with jetted tubs. Breakfast is free for all guests and includes options like fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, arepas, pancakes, and eggs. There’s even an omelet station and a kids’ buffet. Dinner is centered around nightly changing themes, like Italian, Mexican, or barbecue. It should be noted that the majority of Hotel Cartagena Plaza’s staff members do not speak English, so we’d recommend brushing up on a few key words and phrases if you are not a Spanish speaker.