Bastion Luxury Hotel

Bastion Luxury Hotel is situated on one of those brightly colored, bougainvillea-lined streets that evokes the very essence of Cartagena’s historic walled city. Call us romantic, but there’s something about standing in the Bastion’s imposing entryway and gazing out into the bustling street that feels magical. Inside, a narrow passageway leads through wrought-iron gates to a stunning open-air courtyard. Here, the lobby feels more like an elegant living room than a hotel reception space. Gauzy white curtains hang above the courtyard’s massive archways and brown leather chesterfield sofas are arranged around a glass coffee table in the center of the room. There’s small desk in the corner is where check-in takes place. 

The atmosphere around Bastion is as refined as its decor. Not to say the place is stuffy, but you won’t find any raucous activity here. The majority of guests are American couples, who have come to Cartagena for a relaxing getaway.  

Bastion Luxury Hotel has an excellent location within Cartagena’s historic walled city. The hotel is located on a quiet street, close to numerous shops, restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from both Rafael Nunez International Airport and Bocagrande, Cartagena’s popular shopping and nightlife district.

Rooms at Bastion are classically elegant, with thoughtfully curated colonial decor that still feels fresh and modern. Cream and chocolate brown tones give rooms a warm, inviting feel. Padded headboards (or whimsical wrought-iron four-poster frames), chairs with nailhead or button detailing, and fluffy white duvets and pillows contribute to the sophisticated look. A mix of dark, light, and unstained wood tones make rooms’ different furniture pieces look as though they’ve been collected over time, rather than generically ordered from a warehouse. 

Along with beautiful decor, guest rooms feature luxe amenities, like Smart TVs, iPod docks, Nespresso machines, and fully stocked mini-fridges. Bathrooms are a treat as well. With travertine covering nearly every surface, including the large walk-in showers, there’s a lot to like. But, many guests complain that bathrooms lack privacy. In some rooms, bathrooms don’t have doors, while in others, the slatted shutter style doors make bathrooms feel a bit exposed to the bedrooms. 

Bastion has six room types, ranging from entry-level Bastion rooms to suites with separate living and sleeping areas. All of Bastion’s rooms face the hotel’s interior courtyard, which keeps noise to a minimum, but might be a disappointment to travelers who’ve dreamt of watching Cartagena’s street scene from their balcony. It should also be noted that only some rooms have balconies. Rooms start at 28 square meters (about 300 square feet) and most have a king-size (or even California king-size) bed; the Superior Bastion rooms have two double beds and can fit four. 

Bastion has several nice features, including a rooftop pool and bar, an acclaimed on-site restaurant, a small spa and fitness center, and a multi-purpose living room. It also offers free daily breakfast for all guests and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.  

In a town where temperatures soar above 90 degrees on a regular basis, a pool almost feels like a necessity. And Bastion’s rooftop aquatic oasis does not disappoint. The perimeter of the zero-entry pool is surrounded by glass panels, so guests can soak up the city views while taking a dip. From the roof, guests can see the Caribbean Sea, the walled city’s multiple church spires, and Bocagrande’s towering skyscrapers in the distance. The juxtaposition of old and new creates a compelling view unlike any other in Cartagena. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as pergola-covered daybeds and outdoor sofas. There’s also a rooftop bar, where guests can order drinks and light snacks throughout the day.  

El Gobernador is Bastion’s on-site restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, El Gobernador features a menu of modern Colombian cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Created by the Rausch brothers — highly regarded Colombian restauranteurs — El Gobernador is one of the city’s most sought-after dinner spots. It should be noted that the restaurant exclusively serves hotel guests for breakfast and lunch, but is open to the public for dinner. Guests are strongly encouraged to make dinner reservations well in advance.

While it doesn’t have a full-service spa, Bastion has a gorgeous massage room and pretty outdoor hot tub. Guests can book different massage treatments at the hotel’s front desk, but unfortunately couples massages are not available. The fitness center is tiny, but is equipped with a modern treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike.  

Adjacent to the hotel’s lobby-level courtyard is an air-conditioned living room with comfortable sofas, a large table, and a TV. The living room can also be transformed into a meeting space, or be used for small private functions.