Casa Crespo

The room had plenty of space, but several things needed fixing: a broken window blind, a leaking bathroom sink, and a shower that didn’t work properly. Hot water and decent pressure weren’t available, as can happen in parts of Colombia, so check with the hotel first if a hot shower matters to you. The little pool was useful in the heat, though missing tiles left rough edges, and I even ripped my shorts getting in. Breakfast was very basic, and I often needed a snack afterward or an early lunch. We arrived just before check-in and sensed the manager wasn’t keen to let us in early. The location is handy, a few minutes on foot from the airport, with a busy local street nearby, a good supermarket, and several restaurants. Beaches are walkable, though they all had red flags during our stay. The old walled town is about an hour away on foot, but taxis are affordable. The stay was just okay, and I wouldn’t come back.

The day staff were friendly and really helpful. The linens were a highlight, very clean and soft, and the air-conditioning was great. It’s in a quiet, safe area near the airport, and taxis to the city cost 12-15,000 pesos, so it’s an easy, inexpensive location for getting there. The negative reviews are accurate, though. Maybe I got the last room or the one they use for overnight stays. It needed a deep clean and fresh paint, the bed was springy, and the windows were thin.

The staff were great, and the airport is very close. Rooms are large with private bathrooms. The linen seemed clean, but the floors and walls didn’t. Street-facing rooms can also be pretty noisy.

The room was clean, and Don Hugo, the evening receptionist, was easy to talk to and had good advice about things to do in Cartagena. Breakfast was freshly made and tasty, though the portions were on the small side. I could have used more pressure in the shower. The hotel is worth the price: you can walk from the airport, the closest beach is 10-15 minutes away, Marbella is farther along, and the Historic Centre is a 15-minute ride. We liked the queen room with a pool view, but only got it from our second night because the guests before us extended their stay without telling the owners. The pool is small and pleasant, a nice place to start the day, though it closes early. I understand that helps keep things quiet for guests who don’t want pool parties, and I prefer a peaceful hotel too. The WiFi could be faster, and the TVs in all the rooms could have more channels. We’d definitely return.