Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias

At a glance Cartagena could easily be mistaken for another of the many picturesque Colonial cities in Latin America, and indeed its narrow cobblestone streets, its sun-dappled public squares, its church steeples towering over the old walled city are all a deep part of its appeal. But what really sets Cartagena apart is how, despite all postcard-perfect backdrops, it never quite feels like a parody of its former self. There’s an easy self-confidence about the place, a confidence that’s perfectly embodied by the Movich Hotel. Step inside, behind its traditional whitewashed façade, and the hotel is as contemporary as can be, all sleek modern lines and sunny, open spaces.

In the guest rooms, the building’s old bones occasionally show through in the form of an exposed stone wall or (in some cases) a Spanish-style arched terrace overlooking the street, but for every reminder of the past there’s something else bringing us back to the present. The bathrooms are big and bright with natural light; all the proper technologies, from the iPod-dock speakers to LCD screens, are in place; and the layout is uncluttered without feeling unfinished. Warm light, pops of bright color and rich natural materials bring it all together.

Outside the guest rooms, there’s a low-key social element at play in the public spaces, especially on the rooftop. With its smattering of loungers and parasols by the hot tub and pool, plus a bar to keep you from getting parched while you soak in all that Caribbean sun, it’s a fine place to while away an afternoon — or to take some photos, for that matter, with the rooftops of the old city spread out below and the high rises of the modern downtown just off in the distance.

A fine and atmospheric seafood restaurant, twenty-four-hour room service and a functional little business center round things out, though given the location in the heart of the old city, you’ll want to get out and explore.