Hotel Capellan de Getsemani

Hotel Review: Hotel Capellan de Getsemani, Cartagena, Colombia

Hotel Capellan de Getsemani, a distinguished property within the Michelin Guide's hotel selection, offers a captivating blend of Spanish colonial architecture and contemporary French interior design in the vibrant Getsemaní neighborhood of Cartagena. Guests consistently praise its exceptional service, prime location, and beautiful aesthetics, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers seeking a luxurious and culturally immersive experience.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Capellan de Getsemani is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing it as an "excellent" and "beautiful" luxury boutique hotel. It boasts a high guest score of 19.4 out of 20 on the Michelin Guide's platform, and reviewers frequently use words like "fantastic," "amazing," and "perfect" to describe their stays. The hotel is celebrated as a sanctuary offering "soulful hospitality."

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel for several key aspects:

• Service & Staff: The staff receives widespread acclaim for being "extremely attentive and friendly," "helpful," "kind," and "professional." Their personalized approach and dedication to making guests feel safe and comfortable are frequently highlighted.
• Location: Situated at the edge of Getsemaní, the hotel offers an "absolutely perfect" location, allowing guests to walk to the Walled City, the port, and numerous attractions within minutes. It's also appreciated for being close to restaurants and bars but still quiet in the rooms.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's "beautiful Spanish Colonial exterior" combined with "contemporary French influence" in its interiors creates a "stylish setting" that guests find appealing. Lush greenery, a stunning courtyard, and well-maintained public spaces contribute to a tropical and glamorous haven.
• Amenities: The rooftop pool and bar are significant highlights, offering a great place to relax with "great cocktails" and views. Other appreciated amenities include an indoor pool, spa services (massages, manicures, facials), a jacuzzi, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hotel Capellan de Getsemani are described as "spacious," "well-appointed," "clean," and "comfortable." They feature a blend of antiques and contemporary design furniture, along with modern comforts such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, mini-bars (with free items on the first night), Nespresso machines, and private bathrooms with bathrobes and free toiletries. Some rooms offer views of an interior courtyard or the picturesque streets of the neighborhood. Family suites with two levels and two bathrooms are also available. However, some guests have noted that rooms can be "extremely dark" with "super tiny windows" and "dim lighting," which can be challenging for those with poor eyesight.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's restaurant, Clero, is consistently praised. Guests enjoy a "delicious," "tasty," and "generous" complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast daily. Clero offers an "eclectic blend of cuisines," combining traditional Colombian flavors with Caribbean, Creole, and even Japanese influences for lunch and dinner. The food is often described as "amazing" and "outstanding." There are also a poolside bar and another terrace bar for drinks and sunset views.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff are a consistent strong point for Hotel Capellan de Getsemani. Reviewers frequently highlight their attentiveness, helpfulness, kindness, and professionalism. Many guests felt safe and comfortable due to the staff's incredible efforts. They are noted for providing excellent recommendations and being responsive to requests. The hotel's philosophy of "Hospitality with Soul" is evident in the personalized insights gathered to craft each stay.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Capellan de Getsemani is ideally situated in Getsemaní, a vibrant and evolving neighborhood. Its location is considered "absolutely perfect," being just a short walk (less than 5 minutes) from the Walled City and the port. Other nearby attractions include Plaza de la Trinidad, Cartagena de Indias Convention Center, Clock Tower, San Pedro Claver Church and Convent, and Bolivar Square, all within easy walking distance. The area around the hotel is popular with many great restaurants and bars. Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG) is approximately a 10 to 17-minute drive away.

7. Value & Pricing

While Hotel Capellan de Getsemani is a luxury property, its value is generally considered good given the quality of service, location, and amenities. Prices for a standard room can range from approximately $201 to $627 USD per night, while suites can range from $429 to $1,287 USD per night. Prices are subject to change, and factors like the month of travel significantly impact costs, with November being the cheapest month and July the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Room Lighting and Windows: Several guests found the rooms to be "extremely dark" with "super tiny windows" and "very little interior lights," which can be a drawback for those preferring more natural light.
• Street Noise: Although the hotel rooms are generally quiet, some guests experienced "street noise," particularly from crowds, music, and party buses on weekends, due to the central location in Getsemaní. Earplugs are sometimes recommended.
• Slippery Pool Area: The glass flooring around the rooftop pool area has been reported as "extremely slippery when wet," leading to falls, especially for children.
• Room Layout/Functionality: In some larger suites, like the Jr Suite, guests felt the spaciousness wasn't well-utilized, describing the layout as "not functional" with furniture "plopped around," and in some cases, a lack of a desk area.
• Elevator to the Roof: The elevator to the rooftop pool is sometimes turned off during rain, which could be an issue for guests with mobility challenges.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. booking.com
3. luxurylifestyleawards.com
4. preferredhotels.com
5. cartagena-great-hotels.com
6. hotels-cartagenacolombia.com
7. kriteria.co