Taking Off

by travel-expert José Berrocoso

Photography: Casa San Agustín

Cartagena de Indias

Mystified in romance, legends and beautiful colonial era antiquity, this city captivates visitors and travelers with its cobbled alleys, enormous balconies draped in bougainvillea and horse-drawn carriages

The sea breeze and the sunset that transform the colors of 400-year-old houses enchant visitors in Cartagena, Colombia’s iconic port city founded by Pedro de Heredia in 1533. Cartagena de Indias, or Cartagena, was named for the famous Spanish City of Cartagena which, in turn, takes its name from the great merchant city that once rivaled Rome itself – Carthage. Situated on a bay in the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena was built between the 14th and 19th centuries and has the most extensive fortifications in South America. The city’s well-preserved 11-kilometer wall, encompassing the Old Town where Hotel Casa San Agustin is located, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. This colonial town was one of the three most important ports in the West Indies and became a target for pirates as the city flourished. As the top bastion of the Spanish overseas empire, the city influenced much of Colombia’s history.

Casa San Agustin is the perfect hotel to stay in. A luxurious small hotel lovingly restored and reimagined for a new generation of travelers. The exquisite property, member of The Leading Hotels of theWorld, echoes Cartagena’s fresh contemporary style and colorful Caribbean sensibility. Refined yet relaxed, its trio of colonial era white-washed buildings exudes the warmth of a magnificently appointed private residence. From original frescoes in the library to centuries-old wood-beamed ceilings in the guest rooms, Casa San Agustín’s art and architecture evoke the city’s rich history as 17th century Spanish stronghold. The hotel’s 30 beautifully decorated guest rooms and spacious suites showcase authentic Colombian style while seamlessly incorporating the modern services and amenities contemporary travelers seek. Some of the hotel’s suites can be combined into one two-bedroom suite, making them ideal for sharing with friends and family traveling together. A palette of cool and refreshing blues and greens inspired by the Caribbean Sea can be found throughout the guest rooms, while natural fabrics and textures balance the use of original dark wood-beamed ceilings and accents. Local artisans were commissioned to create bespoke furnishings including ironwork beds, chandeliers, and sconces in combination with vintage pieces and artifacts, reflecting a sensibility that is more like a luxurious private home than a hotel.

DINING AT HOTEL CASA SAN AGUSTIN: ALMA RESTAURANT

Alma is literally the ‘soul’ of Casa San Agustin, where fashionable locals and guests mix and mingle over refined coastal Colombian cuisine, fine wines and refreshing cocktails in a vibrant indoor- outdoor environment. Set within Hotel Casa San Agustin’s central courtyard, the restaurant includes an outdoor colonial Courtyard, an interior Main Room and a Private Room for intimate dining. All are rich in character, with historic walls and an ancient aqueduct, original to the hotel, setting the backdrop for the atmospheric setting. Alma restaurant radiates the life of Cartagena de Indias and offers the best of traditional cuisine created by renowned veteran Chef Heberto Eljach. Guests enjoy a range of innovative classic Cartagenian dishes showcasing Chef Eljach’s skill, including exquisite seafood casserole, a variety of ceviches, prime aged beef in various cuts, lobster tail and seafood prepared with traditional techniques perfected. For dessert, local favorite – Merengon de Guanabana – satisfies the sweet tooth. Just steps from the hotel, guests can see varied architecture, from Colonial homes draped in bougainvillea, to the church and Plaza San Pedro Claver, the first saint of the new world for his work with slaves. Other notable sites include the Cathedral of Cartagena de Indias, one of the oldest churches in the Americas. Construction began in 1577, replacing a humble cathedral of straw and reeds. In 1586, while the church was still under construction, it was attacked and damaged by the English privateer Francis Drake. The building was finished in 1612, its dome a symbol of Cartagena’s skyline and resilience to this day. With its Caribbean location, Cartagena offers several seafaring excursions, including diving, fishing and sailing to nearby islands. Guests can also book the hotel’s personal shopper, who can give an insider tour of the city’s best and most authentic boutiques for clothing, accessories, handmade crafts and souvenirs.