When you want an escape, the new Conrad Cartagena lets you hide away. Far from the clamor of the tourist-heavy Old City, Conrad’s debut Colombia hotel resides in the up-and-coming Serena del Mar area.
The new town’s name translates to “Serenity of the Ocean,” and the Conrad fits that description — there aren’t any buildings near the remote beachfront property. You’ll feel like you have the sliver of soft sand and warm water to yourself.
Conrad Cartagena stands out with its white geometric-cutout façade, a stark contrast to the surrounding green lush landscape. Enter the oversized white doors with silver lion door knockers (these used to indicate the social status of a Cartagena home and/or the profession of its inhabitants) and you’ll find a breezy indoor-outdoor lobby with fresh, modern all-white décor; an O-shaped black marble bar with mixologists donning loosened bowties; and local art, like Bogota artist Ana Mercedes Hoyos’ gigantic bronze bow-wrapped heads Milagros and Felicia, two palenqueras (the region’s first settlers).
Elsewhere in the hotel, you’ll discover seven restaurants and bars, a tranquil spa, four tennis courts, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.
- Golf is a rarity in Colombia, but players
will find a getaway in the hotel’s TPC Cartagena at Karibana. Boasting Caribbean
Sea views along the back nine, it’s the first TPC course in South America.
- Karibana Beach Club offers more
than a half a mile of sand, palapas with chaise loungers and plentiful tropical
cocktails like the Karibana Coolada (white rum, mango puree, coconut cream,
pineapple juice and a dark rum float).
- Five swimming pools spread across
more than 24,000 square feet of palm-tree-sprinkled grounds invite you to jump
in.
- Visit the sleek, serene spa for a body
scrub with locally harvested coffee or a cacao facial.
- From the photo or art screens in the rooms to the
larger-than-life female statue with her hands on her hips guarding a corner of
the lobby, Colombian art plays a prominent role at the Cartagena hotel.
- The luxury hotel is more of a quiet getaway than city-center
stay. But you can Uber it 20 miles south to the walled city, if you want a
change of pace.
- The dark hallways have energy-saving motion-sensor lights,
so you may need to wave your arm to set them off.
- Drop little ones off at the kids club, which has both indoor
and outdoor spaces for frolicking.
- The beach is a bit removed from the main resort, but a staff member will happily shuttle you there via golf cart.
- A beach-appropriate crisp white palette with touches of
brown adorns the accommodations. Framed photographs of ladies in brightly hued polleras (traditional ruffled skirts that Colombians
wear for festivals) add some vibrancy.
- Despite the open-air lobby, all spacious rooms have air
conditioning. They also come with a furnished balcony, Nespresso coffeemakers
and pillow menus.
- Beige travertine bathrooms have soaking tubs with slatted
screens that you can open and gaze out through the room’s glass sliding doors.
There’s also a separate shower, a double sink, Mandarin Tea by Shanghai Tang
- Every room has a view, though higher floors afford better
vistas of the pools and the coast.
- The 1,313-square-foot first-floor pool suites have a sizable
patio with a private plunge pool, loungers and a dining table.
- Biblioteka carries a smattering of books and bread arrives in
a wooden box fashioned like a tome, but don’t expect a stuffy library; it’s an
airy, modern space. Chef Gabriela Gómez blends flavors from Asia, Europe and
Latin America at the property’s top restaurant. Try the beef tenderloin with roasted
onion cream, pear, demi glace and a dot of quince.
- In the morning, go to Adesso Tu for breakfast — don’t miss the simple but
satisfying arepas (griddled
corncakes) with Costeño cheese triangles, eggs, tomato, onion and addictive buñuelos (light fried dough balls made
with Costeño cheese). Then come back for lunch and dinner, when it transforms
into an Italian restaurant with pizzas, pasta and other favorites.
- At the beachside Karibana Beach Club and poolside Sun Bar,
order tipples like jalapeño margaritas and local beer like Aguila along with fare
such as empanadas, chicken satay and garlic prawns.
- Indoor-outdoor Sea Salt Grill gives you views of the golf
course and the Caribbean Sea beyond it, alongside Colombian dishes like the catch
of the day, a fried whole local fish with coconut rice and chorreadas potatoes.
- Rum is the specialty at lobby bar Son and Ron, but the
fruity margaritas also are worth a look. During the weekend, grab one of the
gray bar chairs and some Dictador
XO rum and take in the live Cuban music.
Babysitting services
Bar
Beach
Golf
Gym
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
Tennis
