Sophia Hotel By OxoHotel

I've stayed at Sophia Hotel six times, and over my last three or four visits the staff remembered my name and preferences. They're always welcoming, smiling, and kind. That consistency says a lot. It's in the Walled City, close to shops, restaurants, bars, and major sights, so you can walk nearly everywhere. The hotel itself is peaceful, even though the festive scene is just around the corner. You can enjoy nightlife nearby and return somewhere quiet. There can be a little noise during festivals, but it was mostly peaceful given the location. My room was spacious and clean, with a comfortable bed, great pillows, a small L-shaped couch, desk, large bureau/closet, small safe, and mini-bar refrigerator. The bathroom setup is unusual but works well: the sink is in the open area, and the toilet and large stand-up shower are in a separate room. The towels were thick, soft, and very large. I'd love to know where to buy them. Housekeeping cleaned daily, and the hotel overall was very clean. There's a lovely rooftop bar and pool with a great city view, and breakfast is included. It's mid-range for the area and worth the cost. A solid choice if you want comfort, reliable service, and a central spot in Cartagena's Walled City.

The rooftop has a stunning view of the city, and the hotel's setting in the heart of Cartagena’s old city makes it easy to walk to restaurants, nightlife, and historic streets. The atmosphere felt calm, clean, and welcoming. Staff were friendly and ready to help. A charming, comfortable stay, especially for couples and travelers exploring the city.

The hotel looks beautiful, just like the kind of boutique property you'd want to book. But the guest experience fell far short, and I would not stay again or recommend it. We weren't told about a large festival happening right outside. From around 4 PM to 8 PM the noise was so loud we couldn't hold a conversation in our room. The hotel may not control the event, but guests should have been informed. If we'd known, we would have stayed elsewhere. During a critical hour when I needed to get ready for an event, the power went out for about 30 minutes. Over the three-day trip I also had to take two cold showers because there was no hot water, and our toilet stopped working completely, leaving us without a restroom that morning. These are basic amenities, and having all of them fail on a short stay was unacceptable. I was also charged $30 for airport transportation I'd already paid for in cash. They had arranged the ride without telling me the payment had been made, so I paid $60 for one transfer. The stay was frustrating, with poor maintenance, a lack of transparency, and billing problems. The property photographs well, but that didn't match what we experienced.

The rooms were stunning, and the location was brilliant. There was construction and renovation work during my stay, but the staff did their best to keep things comfortable. I didn't use the rooftop pool because a few private events were happening, though I took a quick look and the view was wonderful.