The Hotel Santa Clara is one of the gems of the Sofitel brand it is located within the walls of the World Heritage Old City of Cartagena des Indes, Colombia,  the exterior of the property dates back to the time of the Spanish conquest of South America - circa 16th century.  In keeping with the requirements of the World Heritage regulations, the exterior fabric of the hotel could not be changed, but cleverly the architects of this delightful hotel managed to utilize the old walls of what was an old hospice and and living quarters of the nursing order of nuns including the outbuildings and chapel which take up one large city block of the old town.

Basically they scooped out the rotting interior of the old buildings and restored the exterior walls then constructed within the perimeter a brand new, extremely luxurious boutique style hotel in the indo-Caribbean style.

The hotel is very light and airy with many open spaces, interestingly as one walks around the various areas, one can see that the builders built within the existing structure as nowhere does the new hotel touch the old walls except where some steel reinforcing supports assist the old walls.

The rooms are delightful, beautifully decorated and again light and open to the outside, there is a large pool area and most of the rooms look into this area.  The main lobby opens into a large center area with a large pond filled with tropical plants around this area are located the restaurants, lounges, public rooms and lobby.  Off to one side is the original chapel which is still in use today, A delightful venue for a wedding.  There are some office / meeting rooms in this general area of the lobby.

My first impression upon entering from the street was one of amazement that this existed in the center of the old town, a complete surprise in it style and luxury amenities.

Part of the Sofitel laid back luxury experience is located on a small resort island just 45 minutes off-shore where Sofitel have a 16 luxury villa/bungalow resort which can be rented by the day or week.  It would make an ideal extension to a program to start in the old city and then move your group or the top producers to the island for a couple of days.

Cartagena is a unique city, there is a push to complete the restoration of the old city and many of the streets, plaza and public building have already been carefully restored.  It is like stepping back in time to stroll around the city.

Property values in the city are the highest in the whole of Colombia and one can see why.  There are many delightfully restored small boutique hotels, a number of quality restaurants with more of both being added, boutique shopping with designer labels both international and local abound both within the city walls and in the new section of the city. 

The city walls, some 11km long are well restored and on some of the old gun emplacements converted to become restaurants, bars and club which have taken over the large platforms build in many cases out over the water in strategic places around the wall.  The old city located within the walls is basically on a peninsular with sandy beaches skirting one side and some of the newer city, the port and the remainder. 

Cartagena boast a new conventions center which is located just out side the city's main gate right on the harbor. The old city is known locally as "downtown" and the new resort area which is still undergoing major construction of luxury hotels and condominium towers is a short walk away.

Many people have asked me how I felt about security... at the time of my visit (March 2007) things where very settled.  Cartagena has two rings of security thrown around it, and being a peninsular it is pretty easy to secure.  Yes, I saw armed police and some military (mainly due to their being  major naval base in the harbor) - but I saw no armored cars and massed military on street corners as I has seen on my recent trip to Rio and Ipanema - I walked around everywhere, even at night and did not feel threatened once. I found the local people to be warm, friendly and helpful.

This report was prepared by: James Castle The comments and ideas expressed are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of  Worldwide Travel & Cruise Assoc., Inc. March 2007

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