Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní

My time at hotel capellán has been pure magic. We arrived and had a snafu with our credit card company, they let us sleep and take care of it in the morning which was greatly appreciated after a long day of travel. The room was spacious and made up twice daily with a little treat each night which was delicious and unexpected. The breakfast that was included each morning was perfect, as were the ladies each morning who took care of us. There are twinkle lights at night, gorgeous plants and greenery here and the architecture of the doors and the building itself is pretty impressive. The iron doors and gates are gorgeous, and the staff was always there to greet us. We treated ourselves to massages on the terrace and it was the most memorable massage of my life!! We chose our own oils and scents, had the privacy and breeze and the therapists did a great job, served us snacks after. The pool was small but usually uncrowded- refreshing and picturesque. We had lunch one afternoon on the terrace and it might have been the best burger of my life (fried cheese? Yum! ) We had a private romantic dinner on the rooftop for my birthday that will be remembered for years to come. The staff helped us plan excursions, and while on them- extra care was given (somehow everyone knew it was my birthday everywhere we went!) The hotel was really on point with every detail. We came back from a sunset cruise and they brought up dessert and sparkling wine to the room. Completely unexpected and so appreciated!! I really felt like a queen the entire week I stayed here. The location is exactly what we wanted- close enough to the walled city but also a lot of excitement in the surrounding neighborhood itself, with plenty of restaurants and shops steps outside the door. The only thing I will say is the lighting inside of the room could have been a tad brighter for things like getting ready- but honestly that is so minor I would absolutely stay here again and recommend it to all of my family and friends. The worst part is having to say goodbye to such a beautiful paradise. Thank you Hotel Capellán for your wonderful hospitality. I was in the restaurant and hotel biz for many years and was absolutely blown away by your professionalism. There will be a four seasons opening close to this hotel soon- if you’re looking for similar quality service without the four seasons prices- you need to come to hotel capellán! You made our first visit to Colombia a truly memorable one.

We stayed at Hotel Capellán de Getsemaní this week, and it completely exceeded my expectations—especially as someone who struggles with hotel anxiety. From the moment we arrived, everything was amazing. First and foremost, the cleanliness was impeccable. The room, the building, and the pool were all spotless and well maintained. Housed in a historic building, the hotel had the charm and warmth of visiting a close friend’s beautiful home. The customer service was exceptional. Our flight was delayed over three hours, and we didn’t arrive until close to midnight. Thankfully, the hotel-arranged transportation waited for us without issue, and check-in was quick and effortless. I’ve noticed some reviews mentioning frustration with the language barrier. Just a note—Cartagena is a Spanish-speaking city, so it’s helpful to know some basic Spanish. I’m not fluent, but I managed just fine with a mix of Spanish and smiles! Our room was a spacious double with two beds—extremely comfortable. The shower was easily one of the best I’ve ever experienced in a hotel (and I travel often). Thoughtful touches like fresh flowers and bedtime cookies made the stay even more special. We stayed on the second floor, away from street noise, and located just under the pool area. During the day, we could hear some music from above, but it was never disruptive—especially since we were usually out exploring. I did spend one afternoon relaxing by the pool. It’s small, but quiet and intimate—we had it all to ourselves, which made it perfect. The on-site restaurant, Clero, was incredible. The complimentary breakfast offered a wide variety—fresh fruit, eggs, pancakes, and delicious bread—just let the staff know what you’d like. We also tried the ceviche (so fresh), the empanadas (top-notch), and the ice cream (absolutely heavenly). Location-wise, the hotel is just steps from the entrance to the Getsemaní neighborhood, and we walked to almost every attraction, tour pickup, and restaurant. It’s truly an ideal base for exploring Cartagena. I absolutely loved this hotel and would recommend it without hesitation. It made our visit to Cartagena feel both relaxing and memorable. I would definitely stay here again!

Beautiful property in an excellent location, but disappointing service. The hotel is a well-maintained property in a convenient, central neighborhood of Cartagena. However, for a $250/night rate, the limited breakfast menu was underwhelming, especially for a nightly rate that included breakfast. Most disappointing was being charged extra for water at breakfast without prior notice. These small but significant service gaps detracted from what could have been an exceptional experience. While the setting was lovely, these unexpected nickel-and-diming practices felt inappropriate for a hotel in this price range.