by Beautiful Cartagena de Indias is described as the jewel of the Caribbean Sea. The city has a well-deserved reputation for excellent food, music and crystal-clear waters, making it a must-see for any visitor to Colombia.
And for anyone looking for rest and relaxation, Amarla is the place to go. A tiny hotel (it has only six rooms) of excellent quality, which combines affordability with luxury in a way that has made it very popular with travellers, new and returning.
Where?
As far as location goes, Amarla can’t be beat: tucked into the maze of old streets in the center of Cartagena, it’s just steps away from some of the city’s top tourist attractions (including the iconic gates of city of Torre del Reloj), and anyway. you wouldn’t be able to tell how quiet it is inside.
Most importantly, it’s just a hops, skip and a jump from some of the city’s best food and drink: the award-winning restaurants Celele, Candé and Alma are less than fifteen minutes away, and the trendy bar Alquimico (you can do it yourself). -to for its rather bonkers cocktail offers) two minutes walk. In other words, there’s no excuse not to make the most of what the city has to offer while staying in Amarla.
Style
Like most buildings in the city center of Cartagena, the hotel is located inside a gorgeous townhouse that dates back to the 1700s – and it still has plenty of old-timey charm.
Stepping inside, the first sound that greets you is the splash of water from the many water features scattered around the open plan atrium. The space is dotted with sofas, the work of local artists and there are two huge native trees in the middle that stretch up through the central open space to the top floor.
It’s a procession of white-washed walls and peaceful open spaces made for relaxing, making it a welcoming refuge from the hustle and bustle outside.
Upstairs, the chic design continues: Amarla’s motto is very quiet, which means silk robes hanging in the bathroom, beds so plush you get into them and attentive staff so willing all the clothes are spread out on the floor (which happened to me, shame) as they are going to provide advice on what to do in the city.
Facilities
As this is an old building, there is not much space for facilities such as a gym or spa – which is a shame. Although in-room massages can be arranged for guests. Then again, maybe it’s just an excuse to kick back and relax on the beautiful rooftop.
After a long, sweaty day of sightseeing, the perfect antidote to the heat is a dip in the pool. It’s surrounded by city views, as well as plenty of deckchairs and glamping poles to kick back in and read your holiday book. Plus, there’s a bar upstairs; what’s not good?
And if you’re looking to dive headfirst into Colombian culture, Amarla has you covered – the hotel offers salsa dancing lessons, rum tasting and cooking classes among other things (anyone for a cigar rolling session?) they can be booked through the main page. desk.
Food & drink
If you’re a coffee lover, be sure to try the hotel’s brew which makes the most of Colombia’s vibrant coffee scene. Ask for the spill-over; here’s how the locals drink it – or, better yet, sign up for an in-house coffee tasting session.
Breakfast is a feast for the eyes: mounds of sliced local fruit served with chia seeds, local food including arepas (fried cornbread), with eggs and spicy salsa, and the standard brunch options – avocado grows naturally here, which my regular did. A morning order of avo on toast is much less guilt-inducing. And yes, it really does taste better.
The hotel also offers lunch and dinner – most of which lean heavily on Colombian cooking, with plenty of rice, plantain fritters and freshly cooked fish thrown into the mix.
And for those who fancy a night in, there will also be the opportunity to book a romantic meal for two and dine on the hotel’s picturesque rooftop, surrounded by the bustling cityscape and sparkling pool. Life could be worse.
extra curricular
What are you waiting for? Get out there and explore! As one of Colombia’s most vibrant cities, Cartagena is unapologetically beautiful. A stroll around the old city center and nearby Getsemani neighborhood is a must — simply to soak up the old buildings and the beautiful colors.
The Amarla team provided us with a full list of recommended restaurants, bars and shopping locations when we arrived, with promises to book whatever we liked for the night. For foodies, the city is a culinary hotspot. each other (ceilerestaurant.com) and Candé (restaurant.com), located just down the road, serve a sophisticated, high-concept take on Colombian cuisine.
It is also well worth a trip to visit La Cevichería (lacevicheriacartagena.com), popularized by Anthony Bourdain in his TV show No Reservations. The octopus in peanut sauce is a must. And a local favorite is La Cocina de Pepina, which serves up classics like prawn rice, served with local fruit juices and viche, a Colombian drink.
If you fancy going further afield, Cartagena is located on the Caribbean Sea, and a day trip out to the Rosario islands is a must. Leaving the city’s bustling port, it’s a one-hour speedboat ride to one of several remote hotels, where you can go snorkeling, diving, or just kick back on a gorgeous beach before heading back. in the evening (expect to pay approx. £90 per person for this).
Best for
Although the Amarla de Panama branch is adults only, the same does not apply to Cartagena; and we saw a family of four enjoying the pool upstairs while we were there. That said, the limited size of the rooms means it could be a bit of a squeeze for more than two people.
The hotel is perfect for people looking for downtime from the hustle and bustle – or at least a relaxing place to return to after a busy day of sightseeing.
Which room?
With only six rooms under its roof (the age of the house also means the rooms are said to be quite small), there is fierce competition for the best – the hotel is regularly booked months in advance.
But if you can: plump for one of the biggest rooms. At the top of the heap is the Parakeet, a split room set in the hotel’s rafters. There is a mezzanine level with a king-size bed, as well as a snug library space with sofas, lots of books and a TV, perfect for kicking back after a long day of sightseeing.
Details
Rooms start from £130 per night; amarla.co
