Hotel Casa San Agustin

Calle de la Universidad in Cartagena’s walled city feels different than most other streets nearby. The area has a buzz about it — an energy that compels people to stick around. Maybe it’s the university students hanging out before class. Maybe it’s the guy selling arepas on the corner. Or perhaps it’s the majestic presence of Hotel Casa San Agustin. The meticulously restored 17th-century mansion is a grand sight to behold on Calle de la Universidad. Its imposing wooden doorways evoke a castle-like feel, while its flower covered balconies are the epitome of romance in Cartagena. Staff members wait at the hotel’s entrance, ready to welcome new arrivals at any time. 

One of the great things about Casa San Agustin is that its interiors are just as mesmerizing as its exterior. Elaborate wrought iron gates lead guests through a small entry hall to the hotel’s simple front desk and cozy lobby. Brick floors and curved archways imbue the hotel’s interior spaces with understated elegance, while candle-filled lanterns and rustic chandeliers add a touch of romance. Guests will find intimate seating areas scattered around the hotel, with pillow-topped chaises and pitchers of fruit-infused water on custom-made tables. Casa San Agustin’s stunning courtyard is the piece-de-resistance, with ivy-covered walls, wooden room balconies, and a gorgeous mosaic tile pool.  

The atmosphere around Casa San Agustin is quiet and reserved. Staff members are among the best and most highly trained in Cartagena, and many guests compare the hotel and its employees to that of a Four Seasons property. (Casa San Agustin is a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World group). Children of all ages are welcome, but the majority of guests here are couples. Many guests come to Casa San Agustin for special occasions, such as weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries. 

As we mentioned, Casa San Agustin is located in the walled city on Calle de la Universidad, across the street from the University of Cartagena. There’s a small square in front of the hotel, where students hang out before class and street vendors sell local snacks like arepas and empanadas. It’s a lively area, with excellent people-watching opportunities. Casa San Agustin is within walking distance of shops, bars, restaurants, and tourist attractions like Torre del Reloj and Plaza de la Adauna. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from both Rafael Nunez International Airport and Bocagrande, Cartagena’s popular shopping and nightlife district. Taxis in Cartagena are inexpensive and easy to find anywhere on the streets.  

With 30 rooms and five different room types, Casa San Agustin is one of Cartagena’s largest boutique hotels. Its rooms are sumptuously appointed with luxurious amenities such as Frette linens and Ortigia toiletries, and feature locally made artisanal furniture, wood-beam ceilings, and hand-painted tiles. Deluxe Rooms are the entry-level category, but they start at 409 square feet -- a bit more spacious than the average hotel room. Lavish beds with fluffy duvets and European shams sit on travertine floors. Custom bedside tables hold iHomes while wall-mounted flat-screen TVs hang above large desks. Closets are stocked with free minibars that are replenished daily, electronic safes, and ironing equipment. Bathrooms feature stunning hand-painted tile, massive walk-in showers with rainfall shower heads, and marble-topped vanities. Some Deluxe Rooms have small balconies (or Juliet balconies) that overlook the interior courtyard or Cartagena’s bustling streets. 

Casa San Agustin has multiple suites. Premium Suites have private terraces with plunge pools, while multi-level Prestige Suites have two bedrooms with four-poster beds and separate living spaces. The hotel’s top-tier room — Suite del Virrey — has its own rooftop terrace with a private hot tub.  

Hotel Casa San Agustin’s interior courtyard is a feast for the eyes. An original 17th-century wall divides the courtyard in half, giving the space a unique aesthetic. Ivy hangs from the interior balconies, and tall palms make the space feel like a secluded oasis. The green and blue mosaic tile pool is built around the 17th-century wall, there’s even a tiny pass-through where guests can swim beneath the wall. The pool is surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs and white umbrellas, along with several table and chair sets. 

While there is no fitness center of full-service spa at Casa San Agustin, the hotel does offer in-room massage services for an additional fee. Guests can book massages with the concierge. Like many of Cartagena’s boutique hotels, Casa San Agustin has several communal spaces which can also be used for private functions. Casa San Agustin’s gorgeous library can be transformed into a meeting room (with audio-visual equipment) or can host private cocktail parties or small dinners. The hotel’s rooftop solarium, which is really just an outdoor rooftop space, can also be reserved for private functions. 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. 

Alma, Casa San Agustin’s on-site restaurant, is often lauded as one of the best in Cartagena. Like the rest of the hotel, Alma’s decor is a seamless blend of old and new. The bar is particularly special, with its massive wine cellar, vintage chandeliers, and rich mahogany accents. Open for lunch and dinner, Alma serves a mix of local and international dishes with an upscale twist. The menu consists of fresh ceviches, local street-food inspired snacks, and entrees like braised oxtail, whole red snapper, and braised duck breast. Reservations are strongly recommended for guests and non-guests alike. 

Breakfast is free for all guests and is served in Alma’s main dining room. The hotel puts out a large buffet spread each morning, but guests can also order a la carte from a small menu. The buffet consists of pastries and bread, meats and cheeses, and a Champagne bar, while menu items include local favorites like arepas con huevo, and international dishes like omelets and French toast. As far as free breakfasts are concerned, the offerings here are fresh and plentiful. However, many guests complain that the breakfast offerings are lackluster for a hotel and restaurant of this caliber. There are also lots of complaints about slow, unimpressive restaurant service during the morning hours.