Madisson Boutique Hotel Cartagena

The staff gave us a friendly welcome, explained everything in detail and recommended some amazing spots. Rooms were clean with a great street view, and the prices were good. Shout-out to Frank (services) and Miguel (reception). Breakfast was great. They could update the dinner selection and quality, but overall it was good.

The checkout was a mess. I was told I couldn’t leave until the room had been physically checked, and they even grabbed my luggage out of my hand. The front desk attendant was very rude. If checkout is at 12pm and you still need to inspect the room, that should be explained when guests arrive. My room was fine, but I nearly missed my flight for nothing. Getting checked in took so long that I was handed a blank white card with no room number. I had to keep asking what room I was in, but the woman didn’t understand English. Nobody gave me a brochure or any information about the hotel. The room was big, though the bathroom was tiny. The pool was a small, dirty tub behind the lobby, with overgrown plants and no sun. The beach chairs around it were dirty too. At night, the front gates were chained and padlocked, which seemed crazy to me. I stayed in December 2025 and would never come back. Stay at Estelar, it’s 100% better.

The front desk staff member initially agreed to show me around before I booked for a future visit, since I already have a hotel and want to try somewhere else next time. I waited for 10 minutes, then she changed her mind and wasted my time. That was unprofessional, and she shouldn’t be managing the front desk in the evening or at night. She understood English but refused to speak it back to me, continuing to talk Spanish to my friend.

I booked this hotel for my sister because it looked beautiful and seemed new, so I expected good service. I was wrong. The rooms look cheap, the pool is basically in the lobby, and customer service is a nightmare. The dining room employees act like guests are bothering them. I’ve been to Cartagena a couple of times and had great experiences, but not at this hotel. I regret booking it.