This has got to be one of the cooler W hotels in terms of design and style.  Its a small one but its great location and great room rates make it a great home base if you find yourself in the city of Bogota.

What you immediately notice when you enter this property is the moodiness of the place.  This is not unlike most W hotels which have slightly darker surroundings and evoke a sense of sensualness and mystery.

If you book early enough, check out the suites – they go for great prices, and they’re totally worth the price.  For less than $200 I was able to get a suite with its own game room and pool table, and this was during peak holiday season!

The service was above average for a W hotel, they were extremely accommodating when we needed to check in early and even though the room wasn’t ready they gave us complimentary spa access in order for us to freshen ourselves from our journey.

The rooms themselves were in great condition as of this writing, and had a whimsical and charming quality to them.  Especially awesome were the bathrooms, with LED lighting in the showers and gold fixtures that couldn’t help but remind me of something that would be in the infamous Pablo Escobar Mansion.

PROS: 

• Its got a bathroom that stands out and makes you wanna smile
• The service is on par with some higher tier hotels
• The rates are phenomenal for the quality of hotel you are getting into

CONS:

• It’s a smaller property so it doesn’t have a grand feeling to it

SECRETS:

• They really appreciate SPG loyalty here so remember to use your SPG card if you have one.  Also, they have a disproportionate amount of suites so it’s relatively easy to upgrade at the front desk, I highly recommend trying that out if you didn’t book a suite ahead of time

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA:

• You really should check out Tabula when you’re here.  Anthony Bourdain recommends this restaurant and so do I.

If you’ve ever dreamt of that lazy getaway in a “cute” little hotel filled with luxurious amenities where you can wander into the streets and lose yourself in the middle of a UNESCO Heritage Site.  Well, that’s the Ananda Boutique and that’s Cartagena.

The first thing you notice about this hotel is how hidden it is.  Much like the other hotels in Cartagena’s walled city, Ananda is built right into the buildings around it and blends in.  When you step in, however, you feel as if you’re in a separate world.  It’s calm, there’s trees and a little courtyard for the restaurant and a dipping pool on the first level.  The hotel doesn’t have many rooms, and the insulation is not so great in between rooms, but for everything is tastefully decorated, the exposed wooden beams and the refinished stone surfaces give the appearance of a modernized-400 year old hotel.

The best part of this hotel, though, is the rooftop pool.  It affords expansive 360 degree views of the city and although you’re right in the middle of it all (the oppressive street vendors can sometimes be a bit too much in Cartagena) – you still get the peace and quiet that you would want at the end of the day.

There’s only one other option that is similar to the Ananda Boutique and that is the Bastion Luxury Hotel.  I’d cross shop the two when you’re booking but if there’s one thing that I would say to swing one towards the Ananda it would be that the highest rated restaurant is in the lobby of the hotel.  It’s one place I highly recommend eating at, but skip the breakfast, it’s terrible.

PROS:

• Rooftop pool is spectacular
• It’s got one of the best restaurants for dinner and you’re already there
• It’s nicely updated and extremely quaint (but in a good way)

CONS:

• Service is a bit lacking
• The insulation between rooms is minimal, you can hear everything

SECRETS:

• They have free bikes for guests to use – these are a great way to get around town and I highly recommend utilizing them
• There’s a very cool room that’s hidden above the main check-in area.  It’s air conditioned and has a balcony where you can sit and relax while people watching over the main street

OTHER THINGS TO DO:

• Bar none the coolest bar and hangout spot in cartagena is El Baron in Cartagena.  It’s got a mixologist which is second to none and the drinks are cheap and the people watching is fun
• I also recommend checking out Gokela if you just want something healthy and fresh to eat.  It’s also a place for those who are vegan or vegetarian (as it’s tough to find good vegan/vegetarian in the city.  Think of an upscale sandwich/soup/salad cafe with local organic ingredients.  It’s a nice change of pace from everything else you would get in Cartagena.