Casa La Cartujita

As historic boutique hotels go, Casa La Cartujita doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Located in an old monastery, it’s small and stylish, with a first-rate chef, a pretty rooftop terrace, and mix of antiques and mid-century modern decor. What makes it special is that this isn’t just any historic center: it’s Cartagena de Indias, arguably one of the most beautiful colonial cities on the continent of South America. And the location within the ancient walls of the old city’s original stronghold means you’re within walking distance of everything you’ll want to do while you’re here.

The building’s original history is nothing to sniff at, either. In the 18th century, during the Spanish colonial era, it was a safe haven for Carthusian monks who’d made the journey to the Americas. If they felt comfortable here back then, you’ll feel doubly so. The narrow single beds have been replaced with wide ones made up in crisp, luxurious linens; instead of soap and cold water, the bathrooms are stocked with products by L’Occitane. Instead of poring over religious texts, you can gaze at your 40-inch flat-screen TV or surf the web — you get the picture. Things have changed at Casa La Cartujita, but what hasn’t changed are some of the delightfully old-world details, from the heavy wooden doors to the petite balconies, from the whitewashed walls to the tropical greenery.

There are just seven guest rooms, so personal attention is a given. After breakfast, where you’ll choose from three options — American-style, Colombian-style, and the dreaded “healthy” — the hotel’s excellent chef will make you pretty much anything you want to eat or drink. Since this is Cartagena, it’s also a given that you’ll be out and about for most of the day. The hotel’s small terrace and plunge pool is the perfect place to rest your weary body after a day of sightseeing: we hear they make a killer Coco Loco, otherwise known as Colombia’s unofficial tropical cocktail.