Casa Eclectica

Because of its layout, Casa Eclectica works particularly well for groups of friends travelling together. On the ground floor are two consecutive patios with a breakfast/dining terrace and huge palms. Under the beautiful old arches are various seating areas with oversized sofas and scattered floor cushions. Also on the ground floor is the swimming pool, which is beautifully illuminated in the evening for a pre-dinner dip. While the ground floor has an open layout, there are lots of individual spaces to retreat to, with ceramics and art books to peruse. 

All of the bedrooms are ensuite, with a couple on the ground floor and the remainder on the first floor, which is accessible via a stone staircase. There’s also a salon living area here with a workspace if you need to stay connected and plenty of wicker chairs to relax in. 

Along one side of the first-floor verandah are three bedrooms, all with bathrooms that are beautifully tiled in deep blues and aquamarines. The master suite is very spacious and features a bathroom with steelwork by a well-known Colombian architect. Also on the first floor are some oversized loungers that are nice for getting some sun in the middle of the day. 

Upstairs is another small bedroom that feels like a cabin on a boat (it even has a porthole window), with its own bathroom and an outdoor shower. At the top of the house is an original lookout turret with views across the rooftops of Cartagena towards the sea. It’s spectacular at sunset. 

OVERVIEW

• 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms
• First floor salon with double-height ceiling and original wooden beams
• Balcony from salon overlooking the old town streets
• Various shaded sitting areas leading from the interior courtyard
• Swimming pool and sun loungers
• Dining area in the courtyard
• Oversize sun beds on the first floor
• Original old look-out turret with views over Cartagena

Air conditioning is available throughout the property, as is complimentary Wi-Fi. All of the rooms have hairdryers and portable Bluetooth speakers are available for guests’ use. Included in the rates are airport pickup, daily breakfast and toiletries by Loto del Sur. Casa Eclectica also comes fully staffed with cooks and housekeepers. 

Cartagena is surrounded by walls that extend into the sea, so there isn’t a beach in the city as such. Most people go to Playa de las Americas, which is around 10 or 15 minutes’ drive away, or they’ll head out to one of the islands by boat. There’s always a lot of artwork in the streets and there are great festivals throughout the year, including an artisan, a literary and a classical music festival. 

I usually spend three or four days in Cartagena, exploring the Old Town, then head out to Isla Baru, which is just to the south of the city. It’s the complete opposite and a place for total disconnection. You can have the beach all to yourself and spend your days reading, swinging in a hammock and eating great food. Alternatively, I would recommend making a day trip to Islas del Rosario.

Aside from Cartagena’s Old Town, I would also suggest exploring Getsemene, which is a nearby neighbourhood that has a more authentic atmosphere. It is filled with colourful, colonial houses that are mostly occupied by locals, as well as great salsa bars with live bands.