Cartagena, Colombia
Casa San Agustin
Colonial Queen
What it is
Three 17th century Colonial homes reborn as a 31-room hotel, with its own private beach on Baru Island, spa and a pool in a former aqueduct.
What it isn't
Hands off. Doting staff pamper guests with 24-hour room service, loaner bikes, twice-daily housekeeping, shoeshines and unpacking, and helpful concierge team.
What we think
The Cartagena of your Instagram dreams is alive and well at Casa San Augustin. Here, guest rooms were tailor-made for a Hollywood moment, thanks to XVII century detailing (often featuring exposed ceiling beams and floors burnished by time) and carefully curated antiques. Each one is spacious, starting at 409-square-feet, and fitted with luxe touches like Frette linens and Italian toiletries from Ortigia. If you’re traveling en famille, we love the two bedroom Suite Prestige, with its spiral staircase and separate living and dining space, and Suite Del Virrey—with two (count them, two!) terraces and even an al fresco jacuzzi.
You're here because
You love sumptuous moments, and the tiled courtyard pool flanked by towering palms and age-old library with a ceiling adorned in frescoes is everything you could hope for.
The Moment
Under the twinkling chandeliers of the buzzing bar at Alma, you feel like living it up. So you order *another* dessert—this time, the Coconut Snooky, made with sponge cake, tres leches, coconut and milk. Your travel motto? No regrets.
Location
In the aptly named El Centro, a zippy four mile drive from Rafael Núñez International Airport and just a few blocks from the stone Monumento Torre Del Reloj, the 19th century entrance to the walled city.