Casona del Colegio

It’s a remarkable fact about Cartagena’s hotel scene that, however picturesque the old city center may be, its hoteliers aren’t afraid to balance its historical charm with some unapologetically contemporary design. Casona del Colegio is a fine example — this colonial-style building’s 13 rooms and suites contain visual echoes of Colombian history and tradition — the suites in particular are notable for their brick arches and timbered ceilings — but are unmistakably 21st-century in style. There’s a swimming pool accompanied by a poolside bar, and Restaurant Costa is a Caribbean-inspired eatery in a dramatic, eclectic space.