Hotel Quadrifolio

Hotel Quadrifolio’s mustard yellow exterior blends in perfectly with its brightly colored neighbors, so it’s easy to mistake the hotel for a private residence. The only indication that the building is, in fact, Hotel Quadrifolio, is a small copper sign next to imposing wooden entry doors. In order to gain access to the property, guests must ring the front bell, and wait for a staff member to open the doors. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed like family, and escorted through a small entry hall to the gorgeous interior courtyard. The courtyard is a sunny space, filled with potted plants and candle-filled lanterns. Exposed brick and dark-wood accents evoke the building’s 17th-century grandeur, while massive archways lead the eye up towards the second-floor mezzanine. Check-in takes place just off the courtyard, in the comfort of the air-conditioned ground-floor living room.  The atmosphere around Hotel Quadrifolio is much like that of a private residence. It’s quiet and relaxed, and occasionally filled with hearty laughter and boisterous conversations. Breakfast is served at a communal table each morning, which allows guests to get to know one another and share travel tips. Most guests at Hotel Quadrifolio are couples, but the hotel also sees quite a few adult friend groups and families with children. Quadrifolio is one of few boutique hotels in Cartagena’s walled city that allows children of any age.  

Hotel Quadrifolio has a prime location in Cartagena’s historic walled city. The hotel is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, bars, and tourist attractions; for example, it's a five-minute walk to Catedral de Santa Catalina and about a minute more to Plaza de la Adauna. Hotel Quadrifolio 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.  

Each of Hotel Quadrifolio’s eight rooms is individually decorated, with tasteful, Caribbean-inspired decor. Some rooms have tangerine accent walls, while others have teal bed runners and pillows. Rooms’ vaulted wood-beam ceilings, carved wood furniture, and shuttered nod to the building’s 17th century origins, but amenities like pre-loaded iPods, Smart TVs with Netflix, and free Wi-Fi ensure that guests don’t have to leave 21st-century comforts behind. Some rooms have custom touches, like fourposter beds, built-in banquettes, or outdoor balconies that overlook Cartagena’s bustling streets. Bathrooms are nearly identical in every room, with gorgeous marble counter tops, large walk-in showers with rainfall shower heads, and Ferragamo toiletries. Terrycloth robes and slippers are provided for all guests. Minibars are also located in each bathroom (of all places), but they’re free to use and stocked with snacks, sodas, and water.  Rooms at Hotel Quadrifolio are usually referred to by their number (one through eight), but there are a few different categories across the eight rooms. All room types are considered suites, but different categories may offer more space, a balcony, or a superior view. Rooms are equipped with two double beds or one king-size bed, and range in size from 375 to 650 square feet (35 to 55 square meters). Amenities are consistent across all room categories. 

Hotel Quadrifolio doesn’t have many features — an on-site restaurant, spa, and fitness center are all noticeably missing here — but the amenities it does have are excellent, and receive rave reviews from guests. Adjacent to the interior courtyard is the hotel’s small rectangular pool. The pool has its own lounge area, with a cushioned banquette and mod-looking chairs, and a small wooden boat filled with towels. Glass gates lead to the mosaic tiled pool, which is surrounded by three walls and lots of greenery. It feels like a quiet oasis, completely sequestered from the bustling city on the other side of its walls. Our one complaint is that there aren’t any lounge chairs directly around the pool. Upstairs on the rooftop there are a small hot tub and a few cushioned lounge areas. The rooftop tends to be a popular area at night, since the brutally hot sun usually renders it unbearable during the daytime. Unfortunately, the rooftop doesn’t offer much of a view, besides of neighboring buildings and their rooftops. Breakfast is free for all guests, and is served each morning at a communal table in the hotel’s interior courtyard. Breakfast is a guest favorite at Quadrifolio, and the morning meal receives rave reviews from nearly everyone who stays here. The breakfast menu changes regularly, but always includes items like eggs, pancakes, and the local favorite, arepas con huevo (fried corn cakes stuffed with eggs). For an additional fee, guests can request lunch and dinner at the hotel as well, but advanced notice is required. Hotel Quadrifolio also has its own 38-foot private speedboat with room for up to 18 passengers. Guests can book private speedboat rides or even day-long excursions to the nearby Islas del Rosario. Advanced booking is required and additional fees apply. Like many of Cartagena’s boutique hotels, Quadrifolio has multipurpose living room spaces where guests can relax throughout the day. These rooms can also be privately reserved for meetings or business functions. Free Wi-Fi is available for all guests, and works well across the property.