Casa Carolina Debuts In The Heart Of Cartagena, Colombia

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Gabriel García Márquez once said that all of his works have loose threads of connection to Cartagena, the vibrant and vivacious capital that was the muse of his magical realism. Nearly 500 years after its foundation, Cartagena still weaves together a history of pirate raids and baroque beauty with modern-day glittering skyscrapers that seem to rise from the sea.

In the midst of a nearly 500-year-old historic center and on the foundations of what was once Cartagena’s first city block, Casa Carolina is a new luxury boutique hotel that brings together every thread of the city’s soul.

Centuries-old elements painstakingly preserved to UNESCO World Heritage standards meet sleek outdoor pools, cutting-edge wellness offerings, and inspirational cuisine and cocktails inspired by the coast. Casa Carolina is just what the visitor to Cartagena seeks: the old and the new, often all at once.

Casa Carolina

Like most structures in the colonial-era Walled City of Cartagena, Casa Carolina has lived many different lives before its debut as the city’s newest luxury hotel earlier this year.

Located directly across the street from one of Cartagena’s central squares, it was first the presbytery of Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral, its coral stone columns, staircases, and walls reaching sky-high and breathing centuries of history. By the 19th century, the space had become the Café de la Nueva Granada, a meeting space for the creative minds of Cartagena, the first of its kind in the city.

In 2022, it began its most recent renovation, a multi-year labor of love overseen by owner Caroline Tchekhoff to transform it into the 15-room boutique hotel it is today. “Casa Carolina is more than just a hotel—it’s a celebration of Cartagena,” says Tchekhoff.

It’s a celebration that visitors feel as soon as they step through the towering front doors, past columns and through arches dating 16th century, and into the grand courtyard. Where a cistern once hid beneath the floor to collect rainwater, an outdoor pool now glimmers. At the heart of the courtyard, a storied níspero tree, laden with ripe fruit, provides shade on the hottest days.

The Rooms

Carved out of the hotel’s centuries-old structure, each of the hotel’s 15 rooms and suites has a different layout and personalized design. Thoughtfully-selected pieces of art and decor fill spaces designed to feel serene and sleek, with muted furnishings to let historic details shine. Each room has amenities like a Nespresso maker to brew organic Colombian coffee, and locally produced, sustainable bathroom amenities from Loto del Sur.

Some rooms, especially those towards the back of the property, lack some of the historic feel of the rest of the space. However, most rooms retain original elements that range from frescos and wood ceilings to original walls.

At the front of the property, the stunning suites facing Cartagena’s main square are the most stately. Sky-high ceilings, original frescos, and a stunning mix of history-meets-modern design throughout make them the best rooms in the house, hands down.

Guests who are sensitive sleepers may prefer one of the rooms towards the property’s back courtyards; while soundproof windows throughout keep out most noise, drumming and dance performances are a daily occurrence at sunset in the square facing the hotel. However, they’re festive rather than annoying, especially considering they just last for an hour or two.

Accessibility

Guests with mobility issues, especially those who use walkers or wheelchairs, will have trouble accessing the property. Though many areas of the property are accessible via elevator, accessing the elevator isn’t possible without first navigating stairs.

Unfortunately, given the property’s age and historic character, it was impossible in the renovation process to make more substantial changes to allow for more inclusive access. Guests with mobility issues should check in with the property prior to booking with any concerns.

Food & Drinks

Dining at Casa Carolina is an experience to remember. Located off the courtyard is Just B, a wellness-minded cafe offering drinks, smoothies, salads, pastries, and more, all made fresh from locally-sourced ingredients. Make sure to get the matcha and granola bowl and a cold brew mixed with orange juice and thank me later.

However, the culinary highlight is the hotel’s rooftop bar and al fresco dining space, made magical with the view of the coral-colored cupola of the cathedral at sunset. The bar menu is impressive, designed in partnership with Cartagena’s El Barón, featured on the prestigious 50 Best Discovery list. I’d recommend trying the Baile y Fuego, a tribute to García Márquez himself, or the Casa de la Nueva Granada, inspired by the cafe that once filled these historic walls.

“We’re proud to bring the essence of El Barón to Casa Carolina,” said Juan Diaz, owner of El Barón. “Our goal was to create cocktails that don’t just taste incredible, but that also share a sense of place, honoring the people, stories, and traditions that make Cartagena so unique.

Both eateries are open to the public, making this a great place to escape from the heat of the day while peeking inside the incredible interior of this historic building.

Spa & Wellness

For a hotel of this size to have a spa is impressive, but at Casa Carolina, wellness goes far beyond a standard massage menu. With an intimate spa and a yoga shala tucked towards the back of the property, wellness is a pillar at the heart of a stay at the property.

Casa Carolina’s commitment to wellness is motivated by the owner’s personal dedication to mindful living practices like yoga and Ayurvedic healing techniques that she says helped safe her life after an accident nearly left her paralyzed years ago. With these same principles brought to life at Casa Carolina, “it’s luxury with purpose,” she says, “designed to leave a lasting impression.”

Yoga classes, meditation sessions, and sound healings are available throughout the week on a rotating schedule, and can also be arranged by request. While the spa specializes in Ayurvedic treatments and therapies, guests interested in something a little more classic will find plenty of options to choose from as well.

Staying at Casa Carolina

To stay at Casa Carolina is also to support the hotel’s commitment to sustainability, woven through the fabric of its operations in big ways and small. Notably, Casa Carolina is part of a new local initiative known as Nuestra Cartagena, a collective of sixteen local, independently-owned businesses in the tourism industry brought together by a shared love for the city and a desire to mitigate the downsides of tourism by helping craft rich, authentic, and equitable experience for visitors.

Basking in the shine of her debut in Cartagena, Casa Carolina strikes a balance that few places in the city can. With its heartfelt commitment to the modern and the historic, Casa Carolina feels like Cartagena itself, storied and sage, yet very much still vibrant and alive.