Hotels to Love: Four Seasons Cartagena Hotel & Residences
Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena Review: What to Know Before You Book
Colombia has been a country that’s intrigued me for years. Every client I send comes back praising the destination, ready to plan their return to explore a new part. Cartagena has been on my short list to visit for since a cancelled trip in 2020, and I’m not ashamed to say that I picked it for my birthday trip this year, largely based on the fact that I wanted to spend time at the new Four Seasons Cartagena Hotel & Residences.
While most travelers may not let the hotel dictate the destination, at Perspectives Travel we are obsessed with new hotel openings, especially ones that have the history and stories that Four Seasons Cartagena has. There’s always a risk when you check into a hotel that hasn’t even hit its six month anniversary yet, but in this case the reward was well worth the risk.
What makes Four Seasons Cartagena Different?
What sets Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena apart from other luxury hotels in Cartagena is its combination of historic architecture, contemporary design, rooftop pool experiences, and the personalized service associated with the Four Seasons brand. Rather than feeling like a conventional luxury resort, the property brings together restored heritage buildings and modern hospitality in one of the city's most characterful neighborhoods.
The hotel team was in constant communication with us before the trip to make dinner reservations, suggest tours, and re-confirm our arrival time. When we arrived, we were greeted by name had our check in process completed while sitting in the beautiful lobby with a cold drink in hand. Then we were given key information about the property and a short tour of the grounds as we were escorted to our room.
Why stay at Four Seasons Cartagena?
A Distinctive Blend of Historic Cartagena and Contemporary Design
The hotel brings new life to historic buildings, including the former Club Cartagena and the San Francisco Cloister and Temple. The result is a property that reflects the city's architectural heritage while offering a contemporary luxury experience.
For travelers who want their hotel to feel connected to the destination, this combination of history, design, and local character is a meaningful differentiator. When we walked to the former monastery where the historic rooms are located, my jaw dropped by how beautiful and strikingly different the space was (in the best way possible) from the other parts of the hotel.
Rooftop Pools That Make the Hotel a Destination in Its Own Right
Many travelers choose a Cartagena hotel primarily for its location, using it as a base for exploring the Walled City and the surrounding Caribbean coast. Four Seasons adds another reason to stay on property: its rooftop pool experience.
During our stay, the pool was the standout. The atmosphere was beautiful, the service was attentive without being intrusive, and the poolside ceviche was the best we tried during our time in Cartagena.
It's an experience that makes the hotel appealing not just for sightseeing, but also for travelers who want to slow down and enjoy their surroundings between excursions. We spent an entire day at the pool and returned after our boat day to catch the sunset and swim.
A Contemporary Luxury Experience in Getsemaní
Four Seasons Cartagena is located in Getsemaní, close to the historic Walled City. And by close, I mean you can see it from the rooftop pool. This location gives guests access to Cartagena's historic streets, restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions while offering a hotel experience with a distinctly contemporary point of view.
We walked everywhere and as hectic as the city can be, when we returned to the Four Seasons it was always an escape. Part of the renovations including enclosing what had been an open air section of Club Cartagena and that really shits out the noise of the city.
Dining and Cocktails Worth Making Time For
The hotel's collection of dining venues provides another reason to spend time on property. Our favorite experiences were the poolside dining and the cocktails at Bar Lelarge.
The bar stood out for both its atmosphere and the quality of the service. Andres, in particular, brought personality and confidence to the experience, reminding us that the people behind a hotel's restaurants and bars can be just as important as the setting itself. One night after getting back to our room, we realized that both the bar and Andres were featured on the cover of the Four Seasons Magazine!
Personalized Service That Goes Beyond the Expected
Perhaps the most meaningful differentiator was the team's attention to detail. We appreciated the personal welcome when we arrived, the thoughtful property tour, and the warm service throughout our stay.
Even though our son was not traveling with us, I always request a Four Seasons plush to bring home to him and he has quite a collection now. The concierge team went out of their way to find a stuffed animal for him before our departure. It was a small gesture, but one that made our stay more memorable.
For me, this is what distinguishes a luxury hotel experience from a beautiful property alone. Design and amenities may draw you in, but thoughtful, personalized service is what makes you want to return.
Four Seasons Cartagena rooms and suites
Four Seasons Cartagena offers a variety of rooms and suites across its historic and contemporary buildings. Accommodation styles vary, making room selection an important consideration when booking.
The property's design reflects a balance between the architectural character of Cartagena and the comfort of a contemporary luxury hotel. Depending on the accommodation category, guests may find different layouts, design details, and outdoor spaces. The light and brightness of the contemporary buildings is a stark contrast from the wood and darker colors of the historic building.
Our room was exactly what we'd expect from Four Seasons: comfortable, polished, and well considered. We were in a Superior Landmark View Room which at 366 - 399 square feet was a bit smaller than the rooms that we’re used to staying at in Four Seasons. And while this is the third room category for the guest rooms, some of the entry level Colonial Room and Superior Room actually have more square footage.
When comparing room categories, there is a lot to consider including location of the room on the property, the design aesthetic of the room, and whether a balcony or terrace would meaningfully improve your stay.
I previously booked clients in the Premier Room and Premier Room with Terrace and having seen the rooms firsthand, these are the categories that I would recommend as entry level for Perspectives Travel clients going forward.
Is Four Seasons Cartagena Worth It?
Yes. Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena is worth considering for luxury travelers who want a design-forward hotel, attentive service, rooftop pools, and convenient access to Cartagena's historic center. Its combination of restored architecture and contemporary interiors gives it a distinctive character, while the hotel's dining and pool experiences make staying on property appealing in their own right.
The hotel is particularly well suited to couples who want to combine exploring Cartagena with time to relax at their hotel.
Its biggest strengths, based on our stay, were:
A beautiful rooftop pool environment with attentive service and excellent poolside dining.
A distinctive blend of historic architecture and contemporary design.
An inviting bar with an excellent cocktail experience.
Warm, personalized service and thoughtful gestures for guests.
A location that makes exploring Cartagena's historic neighborhoods convenient.
Overall, however, Four Seasons Cartagena has a strong foundation and the ingredients to become one of the city's most compelling luxury hotel experiences. As with any new hotel opening, there is always room for improvement. Here’s what I shared with the hotel’s General Manager that can be improved upon:
Breakfast consistency. The service was excellent, but the food did not quite reach the level of other Four Seasons properties.
More curated concierge recommendations. The concierge team was warm and helpful, but more detailed guidance on current restaurant and bar recommendations, directions, and local experiences would make exploring Cartagena easier. A polished map of the Walled City would also be a useful addition.
Clearer differentiation for tours and boat experiences. The prices quoted for some hotel-arranged tours and boat experiences were considerably higher than comparable local options we explored. A premium can be worthwhile when it delivers a better experience, greater comfort, or additional service, but guests should understand what justifies the difference before booking.
Consistency in restaurant execution. We enjoyed the atmosphere and service at Pizzeria della Chiesa, but the undercooked pizza was a disappointment.
These observations don't diminish my overall impression of Four Seasons Cartagena. The hotel has a beautiful setting, a polished team, and many of the qualities that make a luxury stay memorable. With continued refinement, I believe the overall experience can become even stronger.
Final Thoughts on Four Seasons Hotel and Residence Cartagena
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena is a compelling option for travelers looking for a luxury hotel that combines historic character, contemporary design, two rooftop pools, and personalized service.
For us, the pool was the biggest highlight, the cocktails were excellent, and the team's thoughtful gestures made the stay memorable. Although I saw opportunities to improve breakfast consistency, restaurant execution, and the curation of local recommendations, the overall experience was very positive.
Having visited other leading luxury hotels in Cartagena like Casa San Agustin and Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, I left feeling that Four Seasons is building something truly special. The property has a strong identity, a polished team, and the potential to become an increasingly important part of the city's luxury hotel landscape.
If you're planning a trip to Cartagena, I would absolutely consider it, particularly if you want a stylish urban hotel that balances exploring the city with time to relax.
At Perspectives Travel, we believe the right hotel should do more than provide a beautiful room. It should suit the way you travel, make the destination more enjoyable, and deliver the details that turn a good trip into a memorable one.
Planning a stay at Four Seasons Cartagena? Perspectives Travel can help you compare luxury hotels in Cartagena, choose the right room, and arrange your booking with personalized advice and eligible preferred partner benefits including complimentary daily breakfast for two, $100 USD hotel credit, welcome amenity, priority for early check in and late check out, and an upgrade to the next room category, subject to availability.
Explore our luxury hotel booking service or request hotel assistance to start planning your stay.