Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

With its walls blending in with balconies and buildings that evoke the splendor of bygone eras, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is a luxurious hotel bursting with history, grandeur, and impressive tales. Built in 1621, the property was originally a convent before the Poor Clares were evicted in 1861. It served as a charity hospital, prison, and medical school for over a century before becoming the hotel in 1995 with reinvented modern accommodations, exquisite cuisine and the perfect combination of age-old tradition and local hospitality.

Discover the magic of Cartagena, the historic walled city, made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. Situated in a bay in the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena has the most extensive defensive walls in South America with a system of zones dividing the city into three neighborhoods: San Pedro, with the cathedral and many Andalusian-style palaces; San Diego, where merchants and the middle class live; and Gethsemani, the ‘popular quarter.’ All are highly recommended UNESCO sites. And while Cartagena isn’t known for its coffee plantations, it is home to some of the best cafes where you can try endless cups of coffee, indulging in the nuances of growing regions, roasting, and the ritual of enjoying one of the world’s most popular beverages.

Within the hotel, not to be missed sites include Hall Gabriel Garcia Marquez with tributes to his works; The Crypt found during one of the excavations; the swimming pool, which was once the Convent’s orchard; and more. With lots to do in and around the hotel, it’s difficult to resist the charms of Cartagena and this impressive property.

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