From the moment you enter the stone walls of Cartagena’s old city, you are at once transported into another era. With its 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial architecture, the city still feels decidedly authentic, and intimate boutique properties far outnumber those with names you’d recognize. One such property, Casa San Agustin, promises both the luxury of a five-star hotel and the rich history that makes Cartagena so unique. It’s comprised of three mansions that surround a palm tree-lined aqueduct, where guests can lounge and take in the ancient scenery. San Agustin’s charm goes beyond the façade, though. With just 30 rooms and suites, the staff forms a personal relationship with each guest, offering insightful recommendations to first-time visitors. The concierge has even been known to make magic happen—like arranging a coveted Saturday night reservation at the hottest restaurant in town on just a day’s notice.
The courtyard at Alma Restaurante at Casa San Agustín
The on-property restaurant, Alma, is also a hotspot in its own right, serving up what is arguably the most delicious ceviche in town. And the best part about it? After a leisurely seafood dinner and a few handcrafted cocktails, you can stumble back to your room and climb into bed moments later. At Casa San Agustin, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, each room is designed with an authentic Colombian aesthetic featuring rich dark wood and gorgeous mosaic tiling. Its Aurum Spa offers personalized services to meet each individual need, transforming the mind, body and soul on a journey toward radiance, consciousness and self-discovery.
DuJour spoke with the property’s marketing coordinator, Jairo Cuesta, to discover what makes it so special.
What’s the most requested room at the property?
Our Premium suites, rooms 102, 103, 203
What makes it so special?
They are 60 square meters, not including the outdoor area, have private outdoor areas with jacuzzi and king beds.
What is the nightly rate for this room?
$1,085 per night
Suite Del Virrey at Casa San Agustín
What’s your favorite design element on property?
One of the most iconic design elements of the property is the ancient aqueduct that was rescued from the time when Cartagena existed solely as a walled city. This aqueduct was designed to collect rainwater, filter it and transport it to cisterns utilizing a column-type pipe positioned on a wall between what is now the pool and the patio. This wall, now a prominent feature of Hotel Casa San Agustín, serves as the corporate image of the hotel and frames the setting of the magnificent pool.
What’s an interesting titbit about the hotel that speaks to its status as an icon?
The property’s historical background plays such a huge role in its iconic nature. The hotel was once a set of 17th-century colonial homes, originally built for Spanish families, situated in the old historical center of Cartagena de Indias. These historic structures underwent a meticulous restoration process to preserve their architectural and historical significance. The transformation of these colonial homes into Casa San Agustin aimed to blend the charm of the past with modern luxury, creating a unique boutique hotel that offers a glimpse into Cartagena’s colonial history.
What special perk or amenity do you offer that no one knows about?
We have a private beach on the island of Barú, where we offer excursions exclusively for hotel guests, complete with an unparalleled experience in nature, maintaining the sophistication that characterizes us.
How about one more fun fact about the property?
In one of the houses that make up the hotel, there was a cafeteria where the Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel García Márquez would hold gatherings with students from the University of Cartagena.
Alma Restaurante at Casa San Agustín
