Cartagena just got more luxurious. The Colombian coastal jewel, already famous for its pastel-coloured colonial streets and Caribbean warmth, now hosts the arrival of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena in the artsy Getsemaní neighbourhood. This marks the brand's third Colombian location, following properties in Bogotá, and it's far from just another resort opening.
The property occupies a series of heritage buildings that tell their own stories. A 1920s private club, a 16th-century San Francisco cloister, a former theatre, and an old church now form the bones of this sprawling complex. Rather than demolish and rebuild, architects and designers chose to honour these structures, preserving their Spanish colonial character while threading modern luxury through every corner. The result feels like stepping into Cartagena's past without sacrificing comfort.
Where History Meets Contemporary Indulgence
The hotel contains 131 rooms, with 27 tucked inside those historic buildings. Late decorator François Catroux oversaw the design vision, transforming centuries-old spaces into intimate, sophisticated quarters. The complex also includes private residences available for purchase, developed by Rodriguez Valencia Arquitectos. If you're serious about Cartagena living, this could be your foothold.
Managing General Annie Monnier captured the spirit perfectly: the team has woven together bespoke travel experiences that pulse with the city's history, colour, and culture. They're not just handing you a room key and a map. They're crafting itineraries that match what actually excites you about Cartagena.
Eight Reasons to Never Leave the Dining Hall
Perhaps the most ambitious element is the food program. Eight bars and restaurants anchor the complex, each with distinct personality. The Grand Grill interprets steakhouse tradition through a modern lens, serving premium cuts and seafood in the former Club Cartagena's elegant rooms, a concept developed by Major Food Group. Bar Lelarge, named after the building's original architect Gastón Lelarge, pairs cocktails with local and seasonal fruits, laced with subtle Cuban influences and premium spirits.
Then there's Pizzeria Della Chiesa, housed in what was once the Iglesia de la Veracruz and later Teatro Cartagena. Now it serves Neapolitan-style pizza the way it should be made. Café Rialto celebrates Colombia's greatest export: spectacular coffee paired with pastries and desserts you can linger over or grab while wandering the neighbourhood. For something hidden, seek out El Aljibe, the city's first speakeasy, tucked away with craft cocktails and refined bites.
The breakfast stage belongs to El Patio del Limonar, an open-air courtyard featuring local and international spreads with interactive stations for made-to-order mornings. El Palmar delivers 360-degree rooftop views and Caribbean sunsets that feel designed specifically for you, while Atrio functions as the beating heart, a lobby lounge beneath soaring glass ceilings where locals and travellers collide under striking black and white marble.
Beyond the Dining Room
Two rooftop pools overlook the city itself. The Umari Spa offers the kind of treatments that erase travel fatigue. Multiple event spaces cater to weddings, conferences, or ceremonies that demand both intimacy and grandeur. Location matters too: you're positioned just outside the UNESCO-listed walled city, close enough to explore on foot but far enough to find peace when you need it.
If Four Seasons' new yacht is redefining luxury on water, this property applies similar thinking to land-based travel. The opening includes an introductory offer featuring 20% savings plus daily breakfast, making this the right moment to experience it.
Cartagena's magnetism has always drawn travellers seeking colourful streets, Caribbean breezes, and stories whispered through colonial courtyards. Now it has a new ingredient: a luxury anchor that respects its past while raising the bar for present-day comfort. The walled city isn't going anywhere. But you might want to arrive soon, before every room is booked.
