Hotel Quadrifolio

Named for the four-leaf-clover figure that forms a common motif in Spanish Colonial Colombian architecture, the Quadrifolio is a bit of a time capsule. It’s a renovated colonial manor house on the Calle del Cuartel, in the historic walled old town of Cartagena, the port city where Colombia meets the Caribbean.

This town was more or less the capital of the New World at various times in the past, and there’s more than a hint of that old romance around the Quadrifolio. With just eight suites it’s about as small as it gets, but it’s as comfortable as any luxury hotel at any size — with king beds, 42-inch plasma screens and iPod docking stereos, it’s quite up to date, and the small size and intimate atmosphere have to count as added luxuries.

Few eight-room hotels come complete with swimming pools and hot tubs, but this one does. It’s a fine choice for a quiet escape, and a surprisingly good one for corporate retreats as well, with well-equipped meeting space and a catering service. Best yet is the easy access to Cartagena’s charming Centro district, which is a good deal more scenic than most people’s image of Colombia.

How to get there:
Hotel Quadrifolio is located 15 minutes from the Cartagena Airport. Transfers are available for US$25 each way for up to 2 guests.