Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena

Hunter says on Sep 12, 2005, 13:00:

Hotels in the walled city - Cartagena The Hotel Monterrey is in Getsemeni, it is by the convention center on the main road, in fact there are several main roads in that area, that you would have to cross to get to the walled part of the Old City, being Colombia you have to make a quick crossing fine for the younger folks, maybe a bit more of a problem for the older generation. On the security side you should be fine in the daytime there around the Hotel, but at night, it can be a bit dodgy.

I have stayed in the Monterrey once for 5 days and the rooms and service were fine. But I would recomend my friends place, he is a English guy living in Ctg, has a hotel in the Old City, he also lives at the hotel, here is the link:

http://www.casalafe.com/

Never heard of the Hotel Elite.

Hunter

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World Citizen says on Sep 12, 2005, 13:09:

Thank you very much Hunter I really appreciate the information.

Have you ever been in Isla Mucura? and/or Isla del Pirata? I'm also arranging for my mother in law and her friend to go to Isla del Pirata... I know they want a peaceful place where they can swim and relax. I'm really hoping Isla del Pirata would be appropiate.

Cheers!

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 12, 2005, 13:57:

Gator says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:35:

I Can Recommend... the Hostel San Diego in the Old Walled City around the corner from Santa Teresa. Very, very nice. $135.000 pesos including taxes and breakfast. Now my wife's favorite. To get a little idea what it looks like see the web site for the Hotel 3 Banderas about three blocks away at http://www.hotel3banderas.com/ The rooms are a little larger. Let me know what you decide and I will give you some restaurant suggestions.

BTW, Hunter'd suggestion of the Casa La Fe is worth keeping in mind.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Hunter says on Sep 12, 2005, 14:54:

The Islands Isla Del Pirata is one of the Islands on Isla Del Rosario Archipiélago, which is a group of 28 Islands. Isla Mucura, I haven't heard of before, I think it is on the Archipiélago De San Bernardo.

I haven't been to either of them, although hopefully somebody else can add their views, I would do a search under Isla Del Rosario on this site, located on the top right hand corner of the page.

I normally recomend another friends Island on the Isla Del Rosario Archipiélago, he is a Norwegian guy, they call Finn, here is his website:

http://www.hotelkokomo.com/index.htm

Hunter

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World Citizen says on Sep 12, 2005, 15:15:

THANKS Thank you for the comments!

I will keep searching for mor info.

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

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juanalejo says on Sep 12, 2005, 17:16:

Isla del Pirata is very basic, food is very basic also, if you do not mind that, then it is a nice place.

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World Citizen says on Sep 13, 2005, 13:08:

No disponibility at Casa La Fe I just learned that there are no rooms for the dates I need at Casa La Fe or at the Bovedas de Santa Clara.

The only info I have gotten about Hostel San Diego is from this website: http://cartagena-hotels.caribbean-trip.com/site/eng/hotel.asp?destino=14&localidad=61&id_hotel=CR651# but the room pictures don't look very appealing. Gator, could you please confirm if this is the place you recommend? May be the pics don't do justice to the actual place.

I'm still searching for a place in the walled city thus all comments are very appreciated.

Cheers!!!

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 13, 2005, 14:29:

giannabigliani says on Sep 29, 2005, 15:54:

Las Bovedas A place I just spent a night at that is definitely not advertised, and for good reasons, is the Bovedas de Santa Clara. The rooms are much less expensive than the Santa Clara rooms and just as luxurious!! It is also managed by the Santa Clara hotel and the "catch" is that it is one block from the Santa Clara. You, however are allowed to use absolutely every service the Santa Clara offers! I am also Colombian and at the beginning of August I took my gringo boyfriend to meet my family. This was the most wonderful hotel either one of us had ever stayed at! The Santa Clara also has a hotel at the Islas del Rosario, Hotel San Juan de Majagua, where they drive you to the port and let you spend the day relaxing on private beaches and nature walks or scubadiving or snorkling. You can also spend the night there. During high season we payed $160 at the Bovedas, compared to the $285 (US dollars) that we would have at the Santa Clara. Inside the walled city is definitely where you want to take your guests! Search for Sofitel Santa Clara and Bovedas de Santa Clara on google for their websites.

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Gator says on Sep 29, 2005, 18:48:

Yes It Is Nicer Than Those Photos, BUT... why in God's name they chose THAT room picture I don't know. Our room was very nice-we would(will) return.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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World Citizen says on Sep 29, 2005, 19:26:

Bovedas is full too. Gianna,
Unfortunately The Bovedas the Santa Clara Hotel did not have rooms either.

Gator,
I got discouraged by the pics of Hostel San Diego. I decided on Hotel 3 Banderas.... by looking at the website pics it looks like a nice place. I'm really hoping it is OK.

I would be happy to hear about restaurants in the area...

Gracias!


Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

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Gator says on Sep 30, 2005, 09:12:

Nothing Wrong With... 3 Bandares-along time favorite. Walter, the day-time porter is a jewel. Take a walk and check out the Hostel San Diego which is only two short blocks away.

Restaurants. One of the best is at the end of the block-Juan del Mar on the Plaza de San Diago weekend reservation suggested. Portón de Santo Domingo, Centro Calle Santo Domingo Nº 33-66 http://www.portondesantodomingo.com/salon-principal.htm Try the
Filete de Róbalo Marinero, Filete de Pargo Santo Domingo and/or the Filet Mignon. Ask for seating on the Patio. Fogon Costeño, Calle de La Iglesia is good as is Santa Toribia on Calle del Curato. Italian is La Bruschetta also on Calle del Curato If you want to pig out take in the breakfast buffet in the Santa Clara Hotel.
One of the BEST but not cheap is La Vitrola on Baloco Street # 33 2-01 Reservations a MUST on weekends.

In Bocagrange we like Dany el Churrasco Argentino, Carrera 3 , Calle 5a or La Olla Cartagenera on San Martin Avenue # 5-100 close to the Almirante Hotel. Just outside the Walls of the Old City is La Fragata
El Cabrero - Calle real # 41-15. It's located in a beautiful republican house from the 19th century, next to the house of Colombian ex-president Rafael Nuñez. This restaurant is outstanding and my wife's very, very favorite. Excellent seafood. The house is an architectural gem, has a wonderful view of the Old City walls, the India Catalina, Apolo Park and San Felipe Castle. The Fragata king prawns, the Tres Fragatas lobster and the Crab teeth are some specialties. La Fragata has a great wine list and exotic desserts. I THINK you can get horse drawn carriage to make the trip.

Wow!!! I'm out of here for lunch

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Don Marco says on Sep 30, 2005, 09:38:

A Gem of A Hotel... I stayed at the Hotel Caribe out near the Hilton, a little pricy but what service. Now this was some time ago, but you couldn't find a nicer pool area and courtyard. Plus it was close to everything! Enjoy, DM

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World Citizen says on Sep 30, 2005, 12:12:

Gator, Thanks for the info... mmmm, I'm getting hungry :)

Last year I went to Cartagena for a few days. I went to La Fragata and most of the time we were completely alone in the restaurant. The food and service was fine; I'm still wondering if the restaurant is dying. I remember that for a long time this was a well known restaurant... maybe not any amore. I will try some of the places so have mentioned. Thanks a lot!



Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

Life is not what one lived, but rather what one remembers, and how it is remembered to tell the tale. (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)

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Lindaa says on Sep 30, 2005, 12:57:

Decameron If you are searching for a not that expensive option; Decameron is quite ok, in front of the sea. I was there tree weeks ago, spent a very nice time... wish I was there now.

Cheers! Linda

Cheers! Linda

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maraca says on Nov 1, 2005, 16:15:

San Pedro the Majagua A year ago i stayed at San Pedro de Majagua for some days. It is indeed nice, quiet and relaxed but the beach itself was not as beautiful as I expected it to be. To enjoy the beach you better jump the fence to the neighbouring beach, which is also private and almost always empty.

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